With the new year, there are some significant laws that are now in effect in Colorado. One allows for the recreational use of marijuana.While some people were headed off to one of the state’s recreational pot shops, others are more cautious. They are worried about the stigma that often comes with marijuana use.
Even with the new law, there can be consequences for using marijuana in Colorado. An employee can be terminated for using cannabis when they are off the clock, child custody cases could be affected, and tenants could be evicted by their landlords.
One of the people responsible for getting the bill in front of the Colorado legislature said that “it’s going to take time to work it out.” He believes, though, that the state has “taken a significant step toward mainstreaming marijuana.”
There are not just employment or family law issues with marijuana use, though. There can be health-related issues as well. The man who runs the Colorado Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation says that there have been more adults wanting to find help for their marijuana usage. He also says that psychosis is possible in some people who use marijuana.
Some people don’t see what the “hoopla” is all about and have no desire to try cannabis for the first time. According to a Gallup poll from late 2013, though, the legalization of marijuana is supported by the majority of people in the U.S.
For now, the courts will just be starting to address legal recreational marijuana use when it comes to child custody matters. For those who are interested in how this new law might affect their child custody case, an experienced family law attorney may be able to help.
Source: Denver Post, “Colorado’s new pot buyers are curious, but some worry about stigma” Colleen O’Connor, Jan. 05, 2014