They’ve arrived:
Colorado is starting an ad campaign to prevent pot users from getting behind the wheel. Instead of vilifying the drug, which Colorado has legalized for recreational use, the campaign takes a light-hearted approach. … Frequent marijuana users drive under the influence an average of 17 times a month, according to information the Department of Transportation gleaned from phone surveys and focus groups.
Waldman is skeptical that the ad campaign will have much of an impact:
This is a much gentler approach than some similar campaigns, which have focused more on the disastrous potential of driving drunk or while texting (this one, from the U.K., may be the most gruesome). So perhaps they’re viewing this as a multi-stage effort, and this first stage is just to introduce the idea of driving while high as a potential problem, then later on they’ll try to horrify viewers. But it does present a new challenge. There are certain psychological factors that should play out similarly whether we’re talking about drunk driving, high driving, or distracted driving—people’s risk perceptions, their responses to fear appeals, and so on. On the other hand, pot exists within a social milieu and set of rituals that are different from those of alcohol, and that may affect how you want to confront the driving issue. For instance, a lot of drunk driving happens when people travel to an establishment where alcohol is served (there are around 65,000 bars and nightclubs in America), then need to get home, whereas we don’t (yet) have thousands of cannabis cafes.
Speaking of cannabis establishments, America will soon get its first cannabis club:
[Cheryl and David Fanelli] plan to open what KUSA, the NBC station in Denver, describes as “the only legally sanctioned cannabis club in the country” this month in Nederland (elevation: 8,228 feet; population: 1,500)
The Fanellis are taking advantage of an exception to the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act for “a place of employment that is not open to the public and that is under the control of an employer that employs three or fewer employees.” The same exception covers VFW posts, Elk’s clubs, and other private, members-only spaces where smoking is allowed. The Fanelli’s establishment, Club Ned, will be open only to dues-paying members, who will have to make appointments and bring their own pot. But Club Ned will have tables and sell refreshments, creating something resembling the convivial, tavern-like atmosphere at Dutch “coffee shops” (which are not legal, strictly speaking, but have been tolerated for decades). Since David Fanelli mentions an “acoustical stage area,” I gather that there will be live music as well.
The Dish 