Yesterday, Quinnipiac University released the results of a new poll out of Colorado. By a 37% margin, voters said yes to members-only clubs for marijuana consumption, although they’re not thrilled about marijuana use in venues that also serve alcohol. Voters still support legalization of marijuana 54-43 percent.

What does this mean for Colorado?

Apparently Colorado voters understand better than their elected officials that marijuana consumption is a social activity. And like alcohol, people should be allowed to gather together in a comfortable and safe environment to enjoy marijuana recreationally. Establishing marijuana clubs similar to bars for alcohol is not some foreign concept voters never considered when they voted for Amendment 64. And if they didn’t get it at the time, they do now.

It’s not unreasonable for both residents and visitors to expect to find places to consume the marijuana they legally bought at a shop here. Sending a new user off to some hotel room alone to explore the effects of the edible they purchased, with no support from more knowledgeable and experienced consumers, is irresponsible public policy.

Our elected officials, and those hoping to be elected, had better pay attention. Just like with the passage of medical marijuana, and again with recreational marijuana, the voters seem to be ahead of the politicians.

July 21, 2014 – Limit Marijuana To Home, Members-Only Clubs, Colorado Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll

Marijuana use should be legal in members-only clubs, Colorado voters say 66 – 29 percent, but not in bars and clubs and entertainment venues, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

After six months of legal marijuana use, Colorado voters support the measure 54 – 43 percent, identical to the findings of an April 28 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN- uh-pe-ack) University, and down slightly from the 58 – 39 percent support February 10.

Marijuana should not be legal in bars and clubs where alcohol is served, voters say 65 – 31 percent. There is a small gender gap as 34 percent of men and 27 percent of women support using marijuana in a bar, other than a members-only club.

By a similar 63 – 33 percent margin, voters say marijuana should not be legal at entertainment events where admission is charged. Looking at invitation-only entertainment events, where no admission is charged, 49 percent oppose marijuana and 46 percent say it should be legal.

Laws regulating marijuana use should be as strict as laws regulating alcohol use, 61 percent of voters say, while 29 percent say they should be stricter and 10 percent say less strict.

“Coloradans are still good to go on marijuana for recreational use in private settings, but as far as letting the good times roll in bars and clubs where alcohol is served, voters say don’t smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll.

Alcohol is more harmful to a person’s health than marijuana, 61 percent of Colorado voters say, while 19 percent say marijuana is more harmful and 13 percent say they are equally harmful. Alcohol is more harmful to society, 59 percent of voters say, while 22 percent say marijuana is more harmful and 14 percent say they are equally harmful.

Fifty-one percent of Colorado voters say they have tried marijuana, but only 16 percent say they’ve tried it since it became legal January 1.

Source: Quinnipiac University – Limit Marijuana To Home, Members-Only Clubs, Colorado Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; 50% Back Supreme Court On Contraception

Categories: Colorado, Policy & Politics, Travel & Entertainment

Tags: alcohol, cannabis, government, law enforcement, marijuana, opinion polls, quinnipiac, recreational, travel