Colorado Christian U study finds marijuana's

A recent report by The Denver Gazette quoted the findings of a 2017 study by Colorado Christian University's The Centennial Institute, which showed marijuana's social costs as "not all inclusive."

Marijuana's Social Costs

The analysis shows marijuana's social costs are 'probably $4.50 out of every dollar in tax revenue' that goes into Denver's coffers.

The news outlet mentioned that the factors the study involved to arrive at the figures included 'traffic stops, hospitalizations, and productivity loss.'

The Denver Gazette said recreational marijuana is worth at least $150 million in potential tax revenue.

It added that Denver, Pueblo, and Manito Springs are among the top communities benefiting from the recreational marijuana market, which includes the youth.

The report said that when recreational marijuana became legal as a commodity in 2014, the city of Denver started recording various "data points" associated with it. These data points included costs, tax revenues, and related crimes.

The move was reportedly meant to illustrate the impacts of legalizing recreational marijuana sales.

According to the Executive Director of Denver's Excise and Licenses department, Molly Duplechian, the city government was presented with many predictions about the social costs of marijuana legalization.

While those "extreme predictions" included an increase in marijuana use among the youth, she said none of them happened.

Denver's Marijuana Initiatives

The Denver Gazette noted Denver's various initiatives relevant to marijuana. These efforts included enforcement, education, and regulation.

Duplechian, Denver's top marijuana regulator, explained that the city spent $8.8 million in 2021 to fund these initiatives.

She mentioned hiring 10 cops for marijuana enforcement and dedicated personnel who focus on the black market and marijuana licenses.

Duplechian disclosed that Denver imposed a 5.5% "special sales tax" on recreational marijuana.

Meanwhile, Denver's records showed that marijuana-related crimes in Denver reportedly plunged from 788 in 2014 to 307 in 2021.

Recreational Marijuana's 'Dark Side'

While government-led efforts to regulate, enforce, and educate are present, so are the evident adverse effects.

Even Duplechian acknowledges the potential adverse effects of marijuana use among the youth.

"We are just giving them the facts and how (marijuana) can be damaging for them to use it before their brain is fully developed," she told The Denver Gazette.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of One Chance to Grow Up, Henny Lassey, commented that while Denver's regulatory practices meant to protect kids from marijuana use are "better" when compared with other cities, there are steps that still need doing.

She explained that many parents do not know that today's THC levels in recreational marijuana are higher than they did several decades earlier.

Smart Approaches to Marijuana Executive Director Luke Niforatos said he wants to see the government set a ceiling on the THC levels recreational marijuana can contain.

There is also the issue of black market recreational marijuana that Denver has to contend with.

Based on 2021 data from the city, Denver experienced a high black marker marijuana presence rate during the early years of legalization.

Denver PD is said to have had 9,500 pounds of illegal marijuana in 2014. In 2021, it went down to 4,300 pounds. Marijuana burglaries were also noted.

Just recently, a Dakota News Now article bared the opposition posed by Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken against marijuana legalization in his city.

"If you can show me articles, data, stats on how cannabis helps kids and families in a community, I'll be the first one on November 8th to check the box and vote for it. I have yet to see any state that has legalized cannabis to say this has been good for our youth, this has been good for our families," TenHaken said during a press conference.