Public warned after Colorado legalizes recreational marijuana

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
11/7/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Drug is still prohibited by federal law, and it is still a drug.

On Tuesday, Colorado voters approved the state's Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana for recreational use. Although the state governor was opposed to the measure, he pledged follow-through.

Governor warns, not so fast folks...

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DENVER, CO (Catholic Online) - The Amendment is conspicuous because it legalizes the drug for recreational use, not medicinal. Several states have already legalized what they call medical marijuana, which has been shown to have some benefit to individuals with specific conditions.

Recreational use is a different matter. The law will allow adults, 21 and over, to possess and consume up to an ounce of the drug. Authorities say using the drug in public remains banned and individuals can grow up to six plants in a private, secure area.

However, Governor Hickenlooper dampened the enthusiasm with a reminder. "Federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don't break out the Cheetos or Gold Fish too quickly," he said.

The legalization will probably put the state at odds with the U.S. Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency, who will continue to prosecute criminals caught with the drugs. Attorney General Eric Holder has long promised to "vigorously enforce" federal prohibition.

Colorado is hoping to both save and make money on the Amendment. In addition to saving money by decriminalizing the drug, the state hopes to generate revenues by regulating it. Forecasts predict the state could see between $5 million and $22 million per year on the regulated sale of marijuana.

The legalization of the drug makes a test-case of Colorado, which will show whether the claims of marijuana advocates bear fruit by reducing crime and increasing state revenues, or if the opposite happens.

Regardless of financial considerations, marijuana is still a psychoactive drug and its effects on people are intoxicating. These effects, considered by many the primary reason to use the drug, cannot provide extensive health benefits that outweigh the harms of consumption to recreational users.

State authorities say it could be up to a year before the law takes full effect.

All of this goes without saying that a significant moral issue remains, despite state legalization.

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
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Keywords: Colorado, marijuana, legalization, recreational, medicinal

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1 - 7 of 7 Comments

mike
6 months ago
I was a recreational user for many years starting in college. I no longer do because of legality. But I dont understand the logic of the church on this one. For me it was a relaxant. I would say similar to sitting in a boat fishing or in a tree stand hunting. I never saw things, acted wild or anything like that. I understand corinthians references drunkeness as a way to avoid heaven, but I think of pot as something lesser. But none the less I cant understand calling it pschoactive. Perhaps psychoinactive. The only negative I see with it was that it made you "ok with being bored.". All in all recreational (non habitual) use is harmless. As for it being a gateway drug, I credit that more to the counterculture of illegal circles. Parents lump pot in to the category of all the other drugs. When their kids try it and find that it isnt that big of a deal then they become open to trying other things. I was always scared of man made drugs so it wasnt a gateway for me. By legalizing it, perhaps parents will educate their kids regarding the dangers of excessive or habitual use the way they commomly do with alcohol. I do believe colorado will see a tourism boom from people who would like to smoke pot legally and without persicution. Look at all the people in jail for it nation wide. For every one of them there are several secretly smoking in the garage after the kids are in bed. I bet there are literally over ten million people who have already talked with a friend about taking a little trip to colorado.
staszec
6 months ago
First, am I the only one to see the inconsistency of Catholic Online here? There are plenty of articles of wanting the federal government not involved in matters but here we have a virtual cry out to the feds to stop recreational marijuana.
Second, I live in another state that allowed recreational marijuana but I do not believe the hype about the tax boon. Sure, police won't housing those who possess the drug anymore and there should be some savings from that. However, I have never heard of the police arresting someone solely for possession; persons arrested were doing something else illegal and during the search possession was discovered. Also, marijuana is a plant that grows like, well, like a weed. Unlike alcohol which requires some preparation and materials to make resulting in many simply going to the corner store to pick up a six pack, all a person needs is a flower pot, soil, seed and water to create a never ending supply. I do not believe taxes generated from the sale of marijuana is going to fill the coffers.
staszec
6 months ago
First, am I the only one to see the inconsistency of Catholic Online here? There are plenty of articles of wanting the federal government not involved in matters but here we have a virtual cry out to the feds to stop recreational marijuana.
Second, I live in another state that allowed recreational marijuana but I do not believe the hype about the tax boon. Sure, police won't housing those who possess the drug anymore and there should be some savings from that. However, I have never heard of the police arresting someone solely for possession; persons arrested were doing something else illegal and during the search possession was discovered. Also, marijuana is a plant that grows like, well, like a weed. Unlike alcohol which requires some preparation and materials to make resulting in many simply going to the corner store to pick up a six pack, all a person needs is a flower pot, soil, seed and water to create a never ending supply. I do not believe taxes generated from the sale of marijuana is going to fill the coffers.
John
6 months ago
The only problem I see here is the potential for over-reach from the Federal gov't. For the Federal gov't to override what the people have Democratically voted into legislation scares me tremendously. I can say this given the nature of Cannabis relative to other "questionable" issues we face.
the7thcrusader
6 months ago
" 'Regardless of financial considerations, marijuana is still a psychoactive drug and its effects on people are intoxicating. These effects, considered by many the primary reason to use the drug, cannot provide extensive health benefits that outweigh the harms of consumption to recreational users. '

How is this any different from alcohol? Hint: There isn't."

There IS a difference. Alcohol isn't a 'gateway drug'. Furthermore, drinking red wine on a regular basis, for example, has been known to be healthy for you.
lyle
6 months ago
yes! one reason to move to Colorado, so i see the population increase exponentially in the years to come.
Jim Daily
6 months ago
"Regardless of financial considerations, marijuana is still a psychoactive drug and its effects on people are intoxicating. These effects, considered by many the primary reason to use the drug, cannot provide extensive health benefits that outweigh the harms of consumption to recreational users. "

How is this any different from alcohol? Hint: There isn't.

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