Posted on September
8,
2014 by Abby. Tagged:
Colorado has gotten some national attention since it legalized marijuana for recreational use for those over 21. One of the first states to do so, the rest of the country is certainly looking at Colorado to see what effects the drug’s legalization has.
If you’re considering a move to Colorado, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on how the state has changed and how it continues to change since pot’s legalization. In general, it appears that legalization has not had the dramatic negative effects that some opponents theorized. Violent crime in Denver is actually down over 10% since pot became legal and the taxes on recreational drug sales have brought in over $10 million, which will be used to fund programs to educate youths on the dangers of drug abuse.
The effects haven’t been entirely positive, though, as some non-violent crimes have increased significantly in Denver since legalization, such as disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. Possession arrests have also increased in neighboring states, unsurprisingly.
Even more important if you’re considering taking a job in Denver and moving to Colorado is the question of how employers are handling drug testing since legalization. According to the laws currently on the books, employers are within their rights to let go of employees that fail drug tests due to the presence of THC in their systems. Since THC can stay in your bloodstream much longer than alcohol, it’s possible to lose your job due to a failed drug test even if you’re only a weekend pot user.
Not all companies will perform drug tests, however, and not all of them would let an employee go for smoking marijuana in the privacy of their own home. A majority of Colorado citizens voted to legalize marijuana, after all, so there’s a good chance your coworkers and managers don’t consider pot smoking a particularly offensive habit. Still, it’s always better to keep informed and to be sure you understand a new company’s policies, including its drug abuse policy, before you take a job with them.
Take a look at some of our available jobs in Denver, and get in touch with us if you have questions about living in Colorado!