Marijuana by the numbers: FEE analyzes impact of legal cannabis in Colorado
What can Colorado teach the country about legalizing marijuana? That’s the topic of the Foundation for Economic Education’s latest “Words & Numbers” podcast, which compares the most recent data from Colorado to the apocalyptic predictions for the state right after it legalized cannabis five years ago. Their conclusion? It’s been a “beautiful experiment.”
Even though the latest data debunks opponents’ contentions that legalizing recreational marijuana would lead to increased teen drug use, the city of Denver is taking steps to make sure kids understand the risks of addiction. High Costs, which is funded by the city’s tax on retail marijuana, is designed to spark conversations about cannabis use.
Fake News? New numbers dispute supposed links between legal cannabis and teen drug use and homelessness
Marijuana opponents have long warned that the legalization of cannabis would lead to increased teen drug use and a rise in homelessness among people flocking to Colorado for its marijuana-friendly laws. Neither has happened, according to the latest statistics. In fact, the opposite is occurring among teens, according to a new federal survey that shows youth marijuana use is down sharply since cannabis became legal in Colorado and other states. In Denver, officials say there is no evidence legal cannabis is driving up homelessness.
State opens treasure trove of marijuana sales data
The Colorado Department of Revenue is opening its books on cannabis sales, releasing historical sales data for the state’s marijuana retailers and promising monthly reports in the future.
First application filed for Denver ‘coffee shop’
The owners of a recently opened cannabis dispensary southwest of downtown Denver have filed an application to open “The Coffee Joint,” which could become the state’s first legal marijuana club.
Niwot – finally — gets first dispensary
After a hard-fought battle, Starbuds enjoys a mellow grand opening in the Boulder County town of Niwot.
Police ease stance against job candidates’ past pot use
Some Colorado police departments are relaxing their tight restrictions against hiring cops with past marijuana use.
~ Chef Jaime Lewis says of her edible creations.
Kaya Cannabis at Southwest Alternative Care is hoping to change the cannabis industry by making giving back a core of its business model.
Earlier this year the company committed to donate a percentage of every purchase to local organizations that are making a difference. Each month it chooses four partners, and customers can choose which of those groups they want their purchases to benefit.
Early partners have included Toys for Tots, Denver Homeless Outloud, The Wounded Warrior Project and Food Bank of the Rockies.
“Kaya’s commitment to community partnership and community giving mark a significant turning point for the cannabis industry as a whole,” says CEO Amanda Gonzalez. “We’re still a young industry and we have the opportunity to weave philanthropy and community partnership into the very fabric of who we are. I’m excited that Kaya is the first in the country to do this and I hope that we’re not the last. This is the one place in business where you hope that your competitors imitate you.”
New labeling requirements and pesticide testing are among the regulatory changes recently finalized by the state Marijuana Enforcement Division. The rules, which also open the door for public-private research projects, are in response to statutory mandates passed in the 2016 legislative session.
“We tried to clean up some of the white noise that is out there,” Mike Hartman, executive director of the Colorado Department of Revenue, said of the labeling changes that are intended to help consumers with information related to public health and safety.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/CoVillageCo/
The Colorado Village Collaborative has opened Denver’s first “tiny home village” for the homeless, thanks in part to funding from LivWell Cares, the philanthropic and community engagement arm of the national cannabis company, which provided the final donation needed to help close out funding for the project and ensure it was completed debt-free.
“We are extremely grateful to LivWell Cares for stepping up to give us the finances to complete this much-needed project,” said Cole Chandler, organizer for Colorado Village Collaborative. “We need a solution to homelessness beyond shelters, emergency rooms, and jails, and thanks to LivWell Cares, our Beloved Community Village residents can now take back their lives and their dignity.”