The changes in Seattle have been noticeable, some for the better, some not.
The main things I notice are
1. smelling pot wafting from cars more often, which through unscientific observation leads me to infer that more people are smoking while driving. I don't know how weed impairs driving ability, if at all, but I feel that drivers are distracted enough these days without also being baked. As a frequent bicycle commuter this worries me a bit.
2. there is a local pot store whose business is booming. Uncle Ike's is clean, well-lit, heavily trafficked, doesn't seem to be contributing to any unsavory activity in the immediate vicinity (in fact a new 5-story mixed-use building is opening across the street). Uncle Ike's is more or less what I thought legalization would bring.
On the other side, there are still a number of marijuana collectives operating under the guise of medical pot. These seem to be sketchy and are drawing the scrutiny of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. I wouldn't be surprised if we see some updates to the law that pushes this business model out and replaces them with stores along the lines of Uncle Ike's.
Overall I think the expectations of society getting out of control were misplaced, Seattle is much the same place as it was before legalization. I haven't seen if revenue collection has met projections, so I don't know if legalization is providing the tax benefits that were promised.
The main things I notice are
1. smelling pot wafting from cars more often, which through unscientific observation leads me to infer that more people are smoking while driving. I don't know how weed impairs driving ability, if at all, but I feel that drivers are distracted enough these days without also being baked. As a frequent bicycle commuter this worries me a bit.
2. there is a local pot store whose business is booming. Uncle Ike's is clean, well-lit, heavily trafficked, doesn't seem to be contributing to any unsavory activity in the immediate vicinity (in fact a new 5-story mixed-use building is opening across the street). Uncle Ike's is more or less what I thought legalization would bring.
On the other side, there are still a number of marijuana collectives operating under the guise of medical pot. These seem to be sketchy and are drawing the scrutiny of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. I wouldn't be surprised if we see some updates to the law that pushes this business model out and replaces them with stores along the lines of Uncle Ike's.
Overall I think the expectations of society getting out of control were misplaced, Seattle is much the same place as it was before legalization. I haven't seen if revenue collection has met projections, so I don't know if legalization is providing the tax benefits that were promised.
atriot:
