Big Changes to Colorado Weed and Drunk Driving Laws Starting 1/1/14

CO is tough on drunk driving laws while lax on marijuana laws (photo credit) 

The New Year is bringing in some major changes to Colorado’s drunk driving and marijuana possession laws. A few weeks ago we wrote about the Denver City Council allowing people to smoke marijuna on their front porches or in their backyards despite controversy from people complaining about the invasiveness of second hand marijuana smoke and the possible influence on youth.

This week the Denver City Council favored marijuana supporters again by decriminalizing marijuana and limiting the punishment for possession among 18-21 year olds. Until this unanimous vote was cast, those under 21 faced fines, criminal charges and even up to a year in jail for possession of marijuana despite Amendment 64’s passing last year.

Beginning January 1, 2014 since anyone who is over 21 will be allowed to smoke marijuana recreationally, Denver City Council thought it was timely to limit the punishment for those just under 21. Although those 18-21 will still get fines if caught, they won’t serve jail time.

While the state is reducing punishment with respect to marijuana, they are cracking down on drunk driving across the state. Considering the amount of drunk driving arrests last year during the holidays and the 25,000 arrests across the state in 2012, with almost 30% of those arrested refusing a breathalyzer, tougher restrictions have been sought.

Anyone who refuses a breathalyzer after January 1st will be considered a “persistent drunk driver” and have their license revoked for at least two months and up to a year. If they want their license back, they will have to install a breathalyzer in their vehicles before being allowed to drive.

Here at our Colorado addiction treatment center people commonly seek addiction help for the abuse of alcohol and marijuana. It is no wonder that the state has been struggling to consistently tweak the laws in order to keep people safe from abuse of marijuana and alcohol while appeasing those who want to use substances safely and recreationally. To an addict however, there is no safe or recreational use of drugs or alcohol. That is why we teach addicts how to live free of all substances so they can lead safe and productive lives.

Harmony Hosting 2nd Annual Recovery Skiathon this February

Harmony Foundation is hosting its 2nd Annual National Recovery Skiathon in Breckenridge, Colorado from February 6-9, 2014.

Our 1st Annual National Recovery Skiathon last year was a huge success and highlighted the importance of fellowship, not only among those in recovery but also among the organizations, treatment centers and alumni services who work in the field of addiction treatment.

Being in fellowship with one another over a weekend in the beautiful Rocky Mountains helps us share missions, visions, ideas and engage in vital cross agency collaboration. Since fellowship is one of the most important components of successful recovery, we believe that fellowship among professionals in the field is one of the most important components of helping people achieve successful recovery.

The weekend in Breckenridge is open to everyone in recovery and working in the field of recovery and their families and friends. Don’t let the term Skiathon fool you, the weekend is packed full of different activities including:

12 step meetings
Recovery films
Networking opportunities
Live music
Ski tours
A TPAS meeting
Dog sledding
Speakers
Comedy
Tubing
Snowboarding

…and of course, fellowshipping!

For more information and to register, click here.

Backyard/Front Porch Pot Smoking Now Allowed

More CO Marijuana Stores will Open 1/1/14 

Recently the Denver City Council has been in the spotlight over deciding whether or not people can smoke pot on their property such as in their backyards or front porches in public view.

This past Monday they gave a 10-3 final vote in favor of eliminating the front yard marijuana smoking ban that was introduced to them in November.

With more marijuana retail shops slated to open January 1st, 2014, eliminating the ban was timely for marijuana supporters and retailers. Proponents of the ban shared the sentiment of Mason Tvert, communications director of Marijuana Policy Project, who told the Huffington Post, "If adults are able to consume alcohol -- and even smoke cigarettes -- outside on their private property, there's no logical reason why they should be prohibited from using a less harmful substance."

Those who supported the ban included Denver Mayor Michael Hancock who told the the Denver Post, "Marijuana is one of those elements that can be quite pervasive and invasive. I shouldn't have to smell your activities from your backyard.” Others shared his sentiment, saying it could be a bad influence on youth who can see people smoking on their porches or backyards or those close enough to inhale the secondhand smoke.

From an addiction treatment perspective, the pervasive smell of marijuana can be triggering to those in recovery from marijuana dependence, which may be on the rise with greater access to the drug. Additionally, in Colorado towns like Dillon, the police chief, Brian Brady, worries that with greater access to marijuana, the high may not be enough; “Come January 1, buying marijuana is going to be as easy as buying a carton of milk. Are people going to be satisfied with the high or should we expect drugs like Krokodil to become the next long-term problem?” Since the legalization of marijuana, Brady has seen an increase in arrests for LSD, heroin and Krokodil, which he says is because “when people want a bigger high they tend to mix it with something.” It is for this same reason that addiction treatment programs push for complete abstinence from all drugs and mood altering substances. Those with addictive disorders tend to crave a greater high once they ingest substances like marijuana, which may explain the increase in arrests that Brady has seen.

Regardless, the vote has passed, and hundreds of marijuana retailers are opening in a just a few weeks. Therefore, Colorado addiction treatment facilities like Harmony Foundation can only take proactive steps to do their best with relapse prevention, mitigating triggers and helping clients stay clean and sober despite the potential of pot smoke coming from a neighbor's back yard or marijuana storefront opening on their street.