I quit visiting Colorado. Every resort I went to everyone was high and the service was lousy. People who are high all the time don't even understand how stupid they look and how poor of a job they're doing. Legal or not, there is a huge problem with druggies in Colorado.
Notably, we visited a chain restaurant and all the stone employees weren't clearing the tables. It was disgusting and we left. Places like that won't stay in business.
Ski rental places? Fuggetaboutit--it was like talking to Cheech & Chong. Do I trust these people are doing a good job? No.
I was no fan of the drug war, either, mind you. People need self-control.
Well, I've lived in Colorado my whole life and I didn't notice any change at all in the average person's behavior after pot was legalized. And I'm not really biased either. I voted against the marijuana legalization measure (something I now regret doing).
My wife and I moved to Colorado shortly after legalization. We hardly consume marijuana, but don't have a problem at all with people who use regularly.
Our experience has been markedly different from OP; zero downsides to legalization.
Colorado is a delightful place, though the Denver housing market is going the way of California.
This could be a short-term symptom of something being re-introduced. Even though it has been legal in Colorado for 5 years now, the relatively slower process in neighbouring states would delay the normalising process.
Take alcohol as an example: do you think it would be acceptable for restaurant employees to be drunk in work? It seems likely this is only being momentarily tolerated in cannabis' case due to novelty.
Totally get it. I think we are going through the initial phase of the weed policy implementation. Next phase will be brought about by social shaming (via yelp, facebook, in person, here, etc) and the desire for businesses to give good service (and receive $$). Then we could see some moderation and improved behavior
Notably, we visited a chain restaurant and all the stone employees weren't clearing the tables. It was disgusting and we left. Places like that won't stay in business.
Ski rental places? Fuggetaboutit--it was like talking to Cheech & Chong. Do I trust these people are doing a good job? No.
I was no fan of the drug war, either, mind you. People need self-control.