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Athena Williams AODS 90 Hutton 8 December 2013 FINAL ESSAY QUESTION Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado One issue that

t Colorado faces by allowing the legalization of marijuana in January of 2014 is the potential increase in traffic fatalities. A recent study conducted by the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA) attempted to predict the impact of the legalization of marijuana in the state of Colorado. One of the areas covered by the study was traffic fatalities. In the study the data concluded that from 2006 2012 that the number of drivers involved in traffic fatalities while intoxicated on marijuana more than doubled, increasing from 5% in 2006 to 13% in 2012. Obviously, in regards to traffic fatalities involving drivers solely testing positive for cannabis, the percentages already display a huge increase in the time frame of six years and during these years Colorados residents needed to have a medical marijuana license for possession or under the influence of the drug to be considered legal. Now, it is logical to proceed with the assumption that if the study has already produced solid evidence to back their claim that traffic fatalities involving cannabis use is already a problem, then the legalization of marijuana in the state is most likely over the period of six years going to triple from 2012s 13%. If this occurred then Colorado would be looking at percentages such as 39% by the year 2020. This is a scary increase but if we actually represent the total numbers of dead people, it becomes very sobering to have the knowledge of such data. In 2012 at 13% fatalities with marijuana use present the body count was 58 dead. If we stick with the numbers given in this case study then at

a tripling increase, by 2020 at a 39% traffic fatalities with marijuana usage as a contributing cause, the body count would settle at 170 people dead. Now, this is just an estimated guess based off the statistical data I found in the case study. After implementing my own perceived increase in the issue of traffic fatalities and then computing and concluding the numbers involved, the number of deaths caused by drivers under the influence of marijuana would be, an additional 20 more people a year. Therefore, the legalization of marijuana does not seem to have a payoffthat would justify the cost. However, even though Colorado State will have certain issues arise from marijuana legalization, is there anyone that is not and will not be a customer that is/can advocate for the advantages of marijuana and the potential positive outcomes for Colorado State? Well, I was able to locate an article that announced today that Uruguay was the first country to legalize marijuana before the United States. Uruguay officials say that they feel there will be many positive outcomes by marijuana becoming legal everywhere. As far as the Uruguay government is concerned, they have already passed the legalization of weed. In doing so they have set forth laws and regulations that they hope other countries will adopt, aiding them in their efforts to legalize weed too. The following quote is from the article I found about the legalization law passing in the country of Uruguay. "It is understood that a regulation-based policy has positive consequences for health and public security, given that, on the one hand, it can produce better results when it comes to education, prevention, information, treatment, and rehabilitation in relation to the problematic uses of drugs...on the other hand, it helps fight drug trafficking, which fuels organized crime and criminal activities that affect the security of the population." (McKay,Tom,Policy Mic). This is what just one of Uruguays officials, Senator Roberto Conde argued are the potential positive outcomes to the legalization of marijuana. All and all there are good arguments coming from both sides that are weighing in

heavily. However, the outcome will only be seen over the next year. As for myself, I will say that the legalization of marijuana may bring some backlash, then again what law hasnt created some sort of negative effect, not one I can think of. So, even though the upcoming legislation that takes effect on January 1, 2014 in Colorado may have negative consequences to our society, I believe that there will be more positive outcomes than negative ones; as in tax revenue, medicinal advantages, textile manufacturing options, etcetera. This is a major step forward for drug legislation and I feel it is going to be for the best.

Works Cited McKay, Tom. "PolicyMic." PolicyMic. Mic Network Inc., 12 Dec. 2013. Web. 09 Dec. 2013.

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