1.
The Colorado Government is the main stakeholder of this controversy because they make all the rules and decide how to regulate it and how to distribute the tax revenue that comes in with selling marijuana. Because weed is still illegal on a federal level, it is up to the state's leaders and politicians to make the regulations for the state. Governor Hickenlooper of Colorado, signed Amendment 64 into the state's constitution. The Colorado Department of Revenue is in charge of establishing regulations concerning the recreational establishments, and the Denver City Council is responsible for adopting ordinances for retail marijuana establishments. All three of these government officials/groups are looked at around the world as the people who are in charge of the first's legalization of marijuana. They have a microscope watching them intently to see how they handle their new responsibilities and if it is a choice that should be made by other places around the world. People of Colorado can write letters to these people or they can visit their websites for Governor Hickenlooper which shows the stance of the governor, The Colorado Department of Revenue illustrates the divisions in their department and how they spend the money for each of them, and Denver City Council describes how they make laws and budget money. They each also have specific locations for people to go see them in person. All three websites provide artsy embellishments to draw the reader in and make them interested in the boring words they are about to read.
2.
In January of 2015, a year after recreational stores had popped up around the state, Governor Hickenlooper said, "If I could've waved a wand the day after the election, I would've reversed the election and said, 'This was a bad idea.'" This was quoted on The Hill.
When responding to the host of the Milken Institution Global Conference saying that America is vied as pot smokers, Governor Hickenlooper said "The people who used to be smoking it are still smoking it. They're just now paying taxes. The people who didn't smoke it still aren't. We haven't seen a spike. But I think there is a real expectation from people even that don't smoke it: You shouldn't go to jail, and it isn't that much worse than whiskey or beer." This quote was provided on The Cannibist
When later asked on how he feels about marijuana the Governor says, "There are tragic accidents everyday, everywhere: accidental deaths, prescription-drug abuse-- over 1,000 people died from that last year. No one cared, but if someone died from overdosing on marijuana, it's on the front page of the newspaper. It would serve people better to have a sense of proportion." Quoted on Phoenix New York Times.
3.
These claims made by the Governor of Colorado are hard to validate because he kind of flip flops his stance on the issue. Before the election he was for the legalization, a year after, he regrets it, but then when people oppose it, he defends the legalization again. I'm not really sure how he feels on the subject and if he just says what he says to specific people because he thinks that specific audience will agree with him. Because he is the Governor of the state that first legalized marijuana he is a credible source to have an opinion, however, because he doesn't really have his opinion figured out. Actually, when he said the "the people who didn't smoke it still aren't" it isn't true. So many more people have started smoking marijuana since it was legalized. I don't think that the Governor wanted to legalize marijuana, but he also has to support it because of all of the money it is bringing into the state of Colorado.
4.
The Colorado Government is really big on tax revenue that the legalization of marijuana has brought in. Because they are pro money, they have very similar views on the issue as businesses do. Jobs have been created and millions of dollars have been collected off of the taxes on the sales of weed since it was legalized. Also, because of the tourist attraction, more people have been coming to the state and have been supporting non pot businesses. Schools also are mostly for the legalization of pot, even though they don't morally support it, they like how much money it is bringing to their funding. The medical branch isn't very pro pot. They don't believe that it has scientific healing powers, and it can be very dangerous when consumed for long periods of time, especially if it is synthetic, or has copious amounts of THC. I would say that the government has the least in common with the people of Colorado. Even though the people voted it in, the people are divided on their support for the new legalization and the changes it has created. Coloradans are also split on the issue, some like that they can smoke legally, and a lot of people like how much money it is bringing to the state. However, many don't like the new reputation it has created for the state and the homeless problem it has brought in and the new driving fatality rate that has occurred.
Nicubunu "Illustration of a yellow smiley face" via free stock photos
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