Colorado has led the charge for legalization of marijuana and many states are following suit and are entertaining the legalization of marijuana in this year's elections.

What most people do not know is that Colorado has a public health problem directly related to marijuana and that 70 percent of Colorado municipalities have voted no to having legalized marijuana in their community.

Since de facto legalization in 2009 and by vote in 2014, Colorado has taken over the nation in youth use in 12- to 17-year-olds. The industry has evolved over the past several years and adolescents have evolved as well. They are receiving the message that marijuana is safe and natural, that it's an herb, and that its a medication.

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