Recreational Cannabis Legalization: The Effects 10 Years Later
In 2014, Colorado voters passed Amendment 64, legalizing cannabis statewide. As other states followed suit, a division of opinions emerged. Some believed cannabis would increase crime rates, lower public health, and decrease road safety. Others believed it would increase tax revenue, improve public health, and stimulate the economy. Despite these contrasting views, cannabis was legalized in Colorado, and the debate has since quieted. Ten years on, it’s time to review the effects of cannabis legalization in Colorado by examining crime rates, population growth, and total cannabis sales data from 2014 to 2020, to better understand the impact of cannabis on Colorado’s crime, growth, and economy.
Since the legalization of cannabis in Colorado, tax revenues have exceeded 2.6 billion dollars according to Colorado’s Department of Revenue, and total sales revenue is up over 230%. This financial boon signifies the economic success of cannabis in the state, which has not only created thousands of jobs but has also significantly contributed to state funding for education, healthcare, and drug prevention programs. The influx of funds from cannabis sales has enabled Colorado to invest in community development and infrastructure projects, further stimulating the state’s economy and improving the quality of life for its residents.
Cannabis has been a great economic success in Colorado, creating jobs and attracting tourists from out of state. According to ColoradoBiz, legal cannabis brought about 6.5 million visitors to Colorado in 2014, highlighting the state’s appeal as a cannabis-friendly destination. While tourism has undoubtedly benefited Colorado’s economy by increasing spending in local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and retail, it also presents challenges. The increase in tourism might attract not only those interested in cannabis but also violent criminals and heavy drug users. According to Colorado’s crime data, crime is up 26% since the legalization of recreational cannabis, with an average year-over-year increase of 4%. This suggests that while the sale of cannabis has contributed positively to the state’s economy, it may also be linked to an uptick in violent and drug-related crimes, prompting concerns about public safety and the need for effective regulation.
Many proponents of legalization claimed cannabis could help lower the narcotic related crimes, but according to Colorado’s crime data, drug/narcotic violations peaked following the 2014 legalization. This only adds to the debate on its efficacy and impact on public safety. The rise in certain crime rates has raised eyebrows, prompting a more nuanced discussion about the correlation between cannabis legalization and public safety. Although it’s difficult to draw a direct correlation, it’s important to keep in mind that prior to legalization drug related violations were half that of the peak in 2018. This only furthers the point of cannabis attracting criminals and drug users.
When considering Colorado as your new home, safety is a critical factor. The rise in crime rates following the legalization of cannabis might raise concerns for potential new homeowners and business owners. According to Colorado demographic data, migration into the state has decreased by nearly 40% since the legalization of cannabis, suggesting that the perception of increased crime and potential safety issues may be influencing people’s decisions to move to or invest in Colorado. Walking through Denver now makes anyone concerned for their safety, and could turn away new potential residents.
State migration patterns are a multifaceted issue and are hard to analyze with definitive results. It’s important to realize that state migration patterns are influenced by many factors, including economic opportunities, quality of life, and personal preferences, along with perceptions of safety and legality of cannabis. The increase in total crime and drug/narcotic violations however is a staggering statistic, and could be directly related to the steady increase in cannabis sales statewide. Unfortunately the crime data doesn’t reflect cannabis proponents’ arguments for improving public safety and health. Regardless, the statistics provided are still worth considering the next time you vote for cannabis regulations. Fortunately, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue, new rules and regulations were put in place after reflecting on the past ten years of recreational cannabis. Although I argue against cannabis throughout this article, I still believe Colorado residents and lawmakers have the right intentions and will continue to regulate and improve upon Colorado’s cannabis laws.
