The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact

Section I: Traffic Fatalities & Impaired Driving 

 Since recreational marijuana was legalized, marijuana related traffic deaths increased 151 percent while all Colorado traffic deaths increased 35 percent 

 Since recreational marijuana was legalized, traffic deaths involving drivers who tested positive for marijuana more than doubled from 55 in 2013 to 138 people killed in 2017. o This equates to one person killed every 2 ½ days compared to one person killed every 6 ½ days. 

The percentage of all Colorado traffic deaths that were marijuana related increased from 11.43 percent in 2013 to 21.3 percent in 2017. Section II: Marijuana Use 

 Colorado past month marijuana use shows a 45 percent increase in comparing the three-year average prior to recreational marijuana being legalized to the three years after legalization.

  Colorado past month marijuana use for ages 12 and older is ranked 3rd in the nation and is 85 percent higher than the national average.

The complete study here > The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact