Not everyone is smiling.

After five years, the results of legalized marijuana present some unhappy results.

• Colorado is now #1 in the nation for youth drug use

• Homelessness in Colorado has increased, and now ranks among the highest in the nation

• School suspensions are up nearly 50%

• High school drug violations have increased over 70%

• Fatal car crashes involving marijuana users has doubled

The repercussions will be seen for decades.  It may not be possible at this time to quantify just how devastating Colorado’s “marijuana for everyone” policy has been, but it will leave a trail of human destruction which may never be reversed.  Studies have shown that people who are addicted to pot are three times more likely to become heroin addicts.  The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that the potency of today’s marijuana has increased significantly since the early 1990’s.  They further report that researchers do not know the full extent of consequences to the brain or body of users.  Studies have concluded there is a relationship between pot use and loss of IQ.

Given the indisputable correlation between marijuana use leading to addiction and more extensive use of other drugs, Colorado may be learning the hard way.  Legalized marijuana is throwing gasoline on the fire of our nation’s drug abuse epidemic.

Medical marijuana may have a place in a civilized society, but legalized recreational use is proving to be highly problematic.

Legalized marijuana is a catastrophic mistake.

***Gordon Howie is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media***

“It’s not about right or left, it’s about Right or Wrong.”

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