Colorado published its 3rd report on the Impact of Marijuana in Colorado. Colorado opened commercial marijuana stores in January, 2014. That year also saw the following, according to the report:
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a 29% increase in the number of marijuana-related emergency room visits,
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a 38% percent increase in the number of marijuana-related hospitalizations,
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30 injuries from THC extraction labs (also called BHO labs or hash oil explosions), compared to 18 in 2013
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32 fires from THC extraction labs, compared to 12 in 2013. (The number for these BHO explosions are still much smaller than in California, where “medical” marijuana is the industry.)
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There were 16 marijuana ingestions among children under 12 last year, compared with two in 2009.
Youth Use and Adult Use
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In 2013, 11.16 % of Colorado youth ages 12 to 17 years old were considered current marijuana users compared to 7.15% nationally. Colorado is 3rd in the nation for youth usage.
- In 2013, 29% of college age students (ages 18-25) were current marijuana users, compared to 18.91% nationally. (This statistic benefits the marijuana industry which has much to gain by attracting young people, continuing to find new users and making money off of addiction.)
- In 2013, 10.13 % of adults ages 26 and older were current users compared to 5.45% nationally.
Driving under the Influence, Crime
Of course the legalization of marijuana has led to more driving and traffic problems. The state put had a television announcement: “Drive High and Get a DUI.” Yet the problems continued to be higher than before the marijuana expansion.
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In 2006, 37 people died in crashes where drivers tested positive for marijuana, making up 7 percent of total crash fatalities. In 2014, 94 people died in crashes where drivers tested positive for marijuana, making up 19 percent of total crash fatalities.
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In 2014, toxicology reports with positive marijuana results of active THC for primarily driving under the influence increased 45 percent in one year.
- Average potency of marijuana is 17.1% THC, up from national average under 4% in 1995.
- Crime in Denver rose 12.3%, from 2012 to 2014.
Legalization in one place affects other states and countries:
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The average number of seized parcels containing Colorado marijuana, destined for outside the United States, increased more than 7,750 percent between 2006-08 and 2013-14. The amount of marijuana seized in those parcels, measured in pounds, increased more than 1,079 percent.
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The number of pounds of Colorado marijuana seized in U.S. mail, bound for 38 other states, increased 722 percent from 2010 to 2014. (Two states, Nebraska and Oklahoma, filed a lawsuit against Colorado because of legalization.)
