patperry2766 wrote:
Obviously with the legalization of recreational weed in Colorado, will it be allowed to be used openly in state and federal campgrounds?
I personally don't care what consenting adults do behind their closed doors, but how will the laws be enforced within these campgrounds? I've booked a week at Ridgeway this summer and I don't want to have to worry about my family being impacted by a bunch of potential stoners camping around me. I highly doubt it will be a issue, but I just kinda want to know what to expect.
Ok back on topic.
Personally I doubt that it is going to be an issue. At least not anymore than it already is. Because of the publicity being generated I think many will just now be more aware of it. In some ways because of the desire of the community to keep and expand legalization the open use of pot is going to be, not just a legal issue but, one that the pot community themselves will frown upon. Remember this is somewhat of an experiment. One that many in the "pot" community really would like to see succeed.
Not all pot smokers are stoners. Before I go any further let me clarify, I am not a smoker. I know some, I know some that a lot of people would be surprised about. Kind of the same way I know people who drink. Some drink responsibly and some don't. Well some of the pot smokers I know do it responsibly and some don't. From my observations the irresponsible drinkers are generally much more dangerous than the irresponsible pot smokers. Not only does the alcohol cause poor judgement it can also bring out violent behavior in some individuals. Don't see so much of that with pot. While their judgement might be impaired they tend to be a little more mellow.
For the few that seem to be unaware, pot use in Federal Campgrounds has been going on for years. Park Rangers are very aware of this. They are too busy with bigger issues to be overly concerned with a person smoking a joint in their RV or tent. Handle it pretty much like drinking. As long as no one is blatantly flaunting it and causing a ruckus it is pretty much overlooked. A bigger problem in many areas is the growers who set up on State and Federal lands. I would be more concerned if I were hiking in some of the back country about coming upon someone's "farm". Perhaps legalization will eventually help with this issue.
There was a post about people flocking in from other states to buy pot. While that is certainly occurring for the roll out of the shops I think it is more of a short term novelty thing. In the long run why bother? the cost of the pot itself with the taxes can be substantial. If you consider the travel expenses to go there and buy it the cost becomes outrageous. Combine that with the fact that transporting across borders can create a whole new set of legal issues and it is not really too attractive. So bottom line is why bother? Most will just stay home and procure and use it as they have been, in many cases for years. Much cheaper and probably safer. If things work out in Colorado and Washington the legalization elsewhere is probably going to be inevitable.
