The General
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Denver - The debate is ongoing: Will regulating marijuana like alcohol in Alaska be a good thing? All the arguing over pros and cons can be confusing. Those in favor of ending marijuana prohibition claim the benefits far outweigh consequences. The opposition says don't do it, lifting the ban will only make existing problems worse. So how are we supposed to make a decision? Colorado voted yes in 2012. We turn to them for a look at what's working and what's not.
Just outside downtown Denver, Ryan Fox walks us through a former General Motors warehouse. "Now it's 12 grow rooms," Fox said. Twelve rooms filled with about 2,800 cannabis plants. Fox is a pot pioneer. He says this is his shot at the American dream. "This is a career for everyone now," Fox said. "Everyone in this company comes to work and works and does their job and gets a paycheck." Fox is CEO of Kindman, one of the largest cannabis producers in Colorado. He shows us the different types of cannabis grown at the warehouse.
Because legal pot is a first in Colorado, the state's new marijuana enforcement division is keeping a close watch on businesses. That's a good thing, Fox says. He welcomes regulation. Since the first of the year, Kindman hired nearly 100 employees. Statewide, the new recreational marijuana industry added more than 10,000 jobs.
In Denver alone, there are nearly 350 retail cannabis dispensaries. The Grass Station is one of them. "The industry is growing fast and plenty of opportunity to move up fast," said The Grass Station manager Conner Morrison. Morrison says the rules of what they can sell are constantly changing, especially when it comes to edibles. "Still working out the kinks. That's expected," Morrison said. "It's brand new."
He also says half of the people who come into his shop are from out of state, boosting tourism. Everything is on camera. Security is tight. Although break-ins at pot shops happen, Denver police say crime is not increasing in the city. It has stayed fairly level. "It's not the end of the world," said Denver police spokesperson Ron Hackett.
Violent and property crimes rates have actually fallen since last year, but it's unclear if there is any connection. Police say more people are smoking in public, which is against the law. "It's a city ticket. It's not even a jailable offense," Hackett said. It allows law enforcement to focus efforts elsewhere, Denver police say. Statewide, there's a push for education to encourage kids and teens to stay away from the drug. Campaigns are urging those 21 and older to consume marijuana responsibly.
People are no doubt buying. In its first eight months, Colorado collected $45 million in tax revenue and fees from the marijuana industry, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. Brian Vicente is an attorney who helped write Colorado's new law. He says legalization has reduced profits for the drug cartels trafficking marijuana. "It's important I think to capture that revenue and use it for good things for the state. If people are going to buy marijuana they might as well buy it from a regulated market," Vicente said.
Vicente says the end of marijuana prohibition is a success in Colorado. Fox agrees. His company is preparing for long-term expansion. "We were converting from a medical to a recreational format and we didn't know what to expect," Fox said. "We were the first ones to do it in the world really so there was no manual on how to do that." Regulated marijuana sales in Colorado are creating jobs and tax revenue without increasing crime.
Supporters say it's easy to see success. Still, they hope Alaskans will take a look at the lessons Colorado has had to learn. We are looking at both sides of the debate. With all the good that may have come from regulating pot like alcohol, it's important to realize there are also some downsides, such as more emergency room visits, driving under the influence, and pot edibles in the hands of children.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Ktva.com
Author: Shannon Ballard
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Legalized marijuana: What Alaska can learn from Colorado | KTVA Anchorage CBS 11
Just outside downtown Denver, Ryan Fox walks us through a former General Motors warehouse. "Now it's 12 grow rooms," Fox said. Twelve rooms filled with about 2,800 cannabis plants. Fox is a pot pioneer. He says this is his shot at the American dream. "This is a career for everyone now," Fox said. "Everyone in this company comes to work and works and does their job and gets a paycheck." Fox is CEO of Kindman, one of the largest cannabis producers in Colorado. He shows us the different types of cannabis grown at the warehouse.
Because legal pot is a first in Colorado, the state's new marijuana enforcement division is keeping a close watch on businesses. That's a good thing, Fox says. He welcomes regulation. Since the first of the year, Kindman hired nearly 100 employees. Statewide, the new recreational marijuana industry added more than 10,000 jobs.
In Denver alone, there are nearly 350 retail cannabis dispensaries. The Grass Station is one of them. "The industry is growing fast and plenty of opportunity to move up fast," said The Grass Station manager Conner Morrison. Morrison says the rules of what they can sell are constantly changing, especially when it comes to edibles. "Still working out the kinks. That's expected," Morrison said. "It's brand new."
He also says half of the people who come into his shop are from out of state, boosting tourism. Everything is on camera. Security is tight. Although break-ins at pot shops happen, Denver police say crime is not increasing in the city. It has stayed fairly level. "It's not the end of the world," said Denver police spokesperson Ron Hackett.
Violent and property crimes rates have actually fallen since last year, but it's unclear if there is any connection. Police say more people are smoking in public, which is against the law. "It's a city ticket. It's not even a jailable offense," Hackett said. It allows law enforcement to focus efforts elsewhere, Denver police say. Statewide, there's a push for education to encourage kids and teens to stay away from the drug. Campaigns are urging those 21 and older to consume marijuana responsibly.
People are no doubt buying. In its first eight months, Colorado collected $45 million in tax revenue and fees from the marijuana industry, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. Brian Vicente is an attorney who helped write Colorado's new law. He says legalization has reduced profits for the drug cartels trafficking marijuana. "It's important I think to capture that revenue and use it for good things for the state. If people are going to buy marijuana they might as well buy it from a regulated market," Vicente said.
Vicente says the end of marijuana prohibition is a success in Colorado. Fox agrees. His company is preparing for long-term expansion. "We were converting from a medical to a recreational format and we didn't know what to expect," Fox said. "We were the first ones to do it in the world really so there was no manual on how to do that." Regulated marijuana sales in Colorado are creating jobs and tax revenue without increasing crime.
Supporters say it's easy to see success. Still, they hope Alaskans will take a look at the lessons Colorado has had to learn. We are looking at both sides of the debate. With all the good that may have come from regulating pot like alcohol, it's important to realize there are also some downsides, such as more emergency room visits, driving under the influence, and pot edibles in the hands of children.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Ktva.com
Author: Shannon Ballard
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Legalized marijuana: What Alaska can learn from Colorado | KTVA Anchorage CBS 11
