I just read an article in the Denver Post that says 51 % of Coloradans believe that legalizing pot has been bad for the state's image, while 58% still support the decision to legalize ("Colorado Split on Legal Pot", Thursday, Feb 11, 2014). Put aside the fact that the figures come to 109%, indicating either a flawed poll or some confused folks, and let's consider the situation. Colorado is an experiment for legitimized drug use. What is the most at-risk population? Kids under the age of 21, whose brains are still forming and whose decision-making processes are not up to snuff.
The risks inherent in this mess were brought home to me yesterday during my volunteer stint at the middle school. Apparently, up to eight eighth graders were investigated for possession of drugs and/or drug paraphernalia in a locker search that occurred over a week ago, and four were suspended. It is much easier to obtain pot now that it is legal in the state, and I have heard campus police decry the law for the troubles it will cause on campuses. I also had an interesting conversation with my fellow volunteer, who has a student graduating from high school in May. She told me that students around the country are either 1) looking to come to Colorado for the possibility of legal pot use, or 2) looking to avoid or escape Colorado because of that same reason. She laughed somewhat ironically and noted that the class of students we are de facto recruiting aren't quite the same as the class who now want to leave. Just a few things to consider, particularly if you are the parent of a middle, high school, or college student now in the state.
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