Pubdate: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 Source: Daily Times (Primos, PA) Copyright: 2014 The Daily Times Contact: http://www.delcotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1284 Page: 19 Note: San Jose Mercury News MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IN COLORADO: SO FAR, SO GOOD Long a leader in making marijuana mainstream, California is watching Colorado blaze a trail for legalized recreational pot with avid eyes. The mood in Colorado is good. Six months in, few of the predicted problems have materialized, tax revenue and tourism are booming, and public support for legal pot appears to be growing. Voters approved legalization in 2012 by a margin of 10 percent, but a March poll found Colorado voters now favor it by a 22-point margin. And 61 percent believe it has made the state better or not changed it. Another poll in April found that most people believe it's been good for the state, hasn't made driving less safe and will save taxpayers money and increase personal freedom. Still, there have been problems. Hospitals are seeing more kids made ill by edible marijuana products like candy and baked goods, and more adults are having psychotic episodes. Opponents and supporters are still debating whether crime is up or down. And marijuana businesses are still trying to build working relationships with banks that are leery of the federal marijuana ban. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom