Will Wine Tourists Become Weed Tourists?

It will be interesting see how alcohol consumption is affected by the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado.  There have been a number of stories lately about pot being better for you than alcohol.  But there does not seem to be any research to back up this claim.

Most of the positive sentiment about the legalization of pot is driven by three valid arguments:

1.  Stop drug violence in Mexico and South America.

2.  Increase tax revenue that would otherwise go to organized crime.

3.  The failure of Prohibition.

While these are all compelling reasons for legalization,  one has to wonder if the backlash begins when stoned people start doing stupid things in large numbers.  Employers will still have to drug test because employee drug use is a potential liability that leads to lawsuits.

Any doper will tell you that it’s hard to be a little bit high.  In contrast, one or two drinks have little effect, if any, on people who are accustomed to drinking alcohol.

In the meantime, get prepared for pot tourism, as described in this article today from Slate:  New Amsterdam- Is Colorado Ready for Pot Tourism?