Prior to marijuana being legalized in Colorado, there were many who felt it would have adverse effects on the state. Some law and state officials including Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper voiced concerns about the effect marijuana would have on crime, children and the way the state was viewed; however, statistics show that many of these concerns were unwarranted.
According to a recent article in U.S. News & World Report, marijuana use among Colorado teens has actually declined. This decline is attributed to the fact that state and local municipalities have greater control over marijuana than in the past.
Additionally, USA News reported that crime has also declined in Colorado. Because marijuana-related arrests accounted for 50 percent of drug-related crimes, arrests have gone down saving the state between $12 and $40 million. It has also freed up law enforcement officials to focus on major crimes, as they are no longer tied down by marijuana arrests and investigations.
Statistics also showed Colorado’s economy is booming thanks largely to the legalization of marijuana. During the first 10 months of 2014, approximately $40 million was added to the state’s economy as a result of the sale of drug. Furthermore, both Denver and the state have been ranked nationally for job growth.
Finally, The Washington Post reported that concerns over the rise of marijuana-related traffic incidents are also unfounded. The newspaper said that highway deaths in Colorado have fallen to near historic lows since marijuana was legalized.