Stuck between a convenience store and a sports store selling football jerseys, the door to a cannabis dispensary could be extremely difficult not to see. However, when you enter the establishment, you cannot confuse the aroma. At Euflora, there are counters stacked with containers of cannabis next to platforms that describe each strain. A display of cannabis mixed products is stored in cases. Some of these products include energy shots, gummy bears, brownies, and more. These are available to those that are 21 or older.
More specifically, this store can be found in Colorado, where the billion dollar cannabis industry began in 2014. It gives a good look at what Massachusetts may be seeing if voters decide to pass cannabis on the upcoming ballot this fall. So for all of those wondering whether or not cannabis legalization has been good or bad, the answer is “good,” according to Colorado Senate President Bill Cadman.
The general agreement among state officials, who strongly believe that their job is to represent the people rather than their own beliefs, is that since marijuana has become legal, there have been no significant negative externalities. In fact, legalization has resulted in thousands of new jobs in the growing industry as well as $135 million in taxes last year.
While that may be true, police state that they scramble to enforce a group of laws making sure cannabis is safe, including driving while impaired. Officials typically worry that the industry is going to follow the footsteps of tobacco companies, avoiding regulation and tempting users with sly advertising. In addition, according to recent data from a federal drug-use survey, Colorado has the highest under-21 population smoking marijuana since it was legalized in November of 2012. However, as previously mentioned, there have been no cases such as this so that these fears may be put to rest.
