Marijuana legalization became a reality for Coloradans with the 2012 election, and after two years have passed since the approval of Amendment 64, voters would still overwhelmingly decide to legalize again.
A new SurveyUSA poll, reported by the Durango Herald , reveals that more than 90 percent of the respondents who voted for the amendment, which allows adults to legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana, would do it again.
The measure initially passed 54.8 percent to 45.1 percent.
“I’d say there’s still a lot of work to be done, especially if the priority is to keep it out of the hands of children and away from drivers, to make sure people are not driving intoxicated,” said 35-year-old supporter Dan Berlau of Denver. “But despite those shortcomings, in general, people who worried the sky would fall have been proved wrong.”
Outside the state, however, many would disagree. Impressions of Colorado since passing the controversial amendment have been affected in a negative way among 38 percent of those surveyed. Thirty-one percent said it had made a positive impact in the way they look at Colorado, and 22 percent felt there was no impact at all.
Clearly, there is still opposition to marijuana legalization in these numbers.
Denise Willey of Golden, Colorado, is one of those opposed to the way that the issue has colored her state.
“Just the constant ‘mile high’ references they think are funny I find sometimes offensive… It used to be because of our beautiful surroundings, but now people use that term because of legalized marijuana. I think it’s sad where we’ve gone.”
Some have also characterized marijuana legalization — at least the way that Colorado went about it — as “reckless.”
Still, 47-year-old Army veteran William Sellers would disagree with that characterization.
“I’m not a big advocate of legalization… But as I’ve grown and paid attention, I don’t think the state acted recklessly at all. It’s not like they rushed into it. They made plans, took time out and worked out a lot of issues. And in some places, they’re still working them out.”
Of course, it may be too early to derive anything of significance from these numbers. After all, it’s only been two years. Marijuana has been around for much longer, and still very little is known about the long-term impact it can have on the brain, though some are working to change that .
What do you think, readers? Has marijuana legalization positively or negatively impacted the way you think about Colorado and other “legalize it” states?
[Image via ShutterStock ]
