Daniel Stockmann is a dedicated Omaha drug lawyer. In his 20 years of experience, he has found particular success in defending clients wrongfully charged in a wide array drug cases. His extensive knowledge of drug policy and his handle of the stigma surrounding marijuana in the United States often gives him the upper hand in cases like these. As a leading Omaha drug lawyer, he also stays up to date on all news and policies that may affect his potential clients in the state of Nebraska.
Because of its proximity to the state of Colorado, marijuana has become quite the hot topic in Nebraska (and other surrounding states). Recently, there has been extensive talk on the rise of “pot tourists” and the consequences of travelers from out of state partaking in Colorado’s legal marijuana.
What is Pot Tourism?
Pot tourism is the ever-growing concept of out-of-state travelers heading into states like Colorado and Washington for the sheer purpose of embracing marijuana culture. Though it’s hard to say for sure, there are signs that legalized marijuana is definitely attracting more tourists, especially during festivities that celebrate marijuana use. During 4/20 celebrations, for instance, there has been a 73% increase in traffic on Hotels.com for customers searching for Denver spots. There was also a significant increase in people searching for travel to Seattle during their first month of legal marijuana sales.
Controversy Over Pot Tourism Increasing Marijuana Stigma
This new wave of tourism has stirred up some controversy. People against the legalization of marijuana refer to several cases of “pot tourists” ending up in emergency rooms or experiencing other negative health symptoms due to their consumption of marijuana in legalized states. Though it’s a relatively small increase, the number of possible pot-related emergency room visits for tourists jumped from 85 per 10,000 people to 168 per 10,000 (from 2013 to 2014). Local residents did not seem to be affected much. There are several reasons for this, but mostly it can be attributed to people not being familiar with the substance. Tourists to states with legal marijuana often find themselves trying edibles and other consumables for the first time. Intense highs the newcomers seek out can also exacerbate existing mental or emotional conditions which can cause people to panic. Though there are logical explanations for this small increase in emergency room visits, people use this information to drive their anti-marijuana campaigns.
Get Help from an Experienced Omaha Drug Lawyer
Traveling to legal states can get tricky if you’re not used to marijuana culture. It also gets people in trouble when they confuse consumption laws and try to travel back home with marijuana over state lines. Sometimes these situations escalate when authorities get involved and there are often times when the situation is blown out of proportion or mishandled. If you or someone you know finds themselves in a sticky situation, especially one in which you feel you’ve been wronged, call on Omaha drug lawyer Daniel Stockmann to defend you. Schedule your free case evaluation by calling (402) 884-1031 or filling out our online form now.
