The number of drivers involved in fatal crashes in Colorado who tested positive for cannabis increased from 11 percent to 21 percent during the first four years after adult-use recreational marijuana was legalized in 2013.
Pot-related driving under the influence rates climbed 5 percentage points during the same time, to 17 percent of all DUI cases.
Rates of hospitalization and calls about human marijuana exposure climbed during the year after legalization.
This – if a Colorado Department of Public Safety report issued last fall is any indication – could be a window on what New York State experiences when recreational marijuana use becomes legal for adults 21 and older.
Yes, this is a “when” question, not an “if” one. But public health advocates say it remains an important one, particularly at a time when so much remains unknown about the benefits and harms of cannabis.
Meanwhile, negotiations at the state Capitol to legalize marijuana for adult use have been halted as the governor and legislative leaders this week try to nail down the final pieces of a state budget agreement. The News' Tom Precious reports that sources with knowledge of the matter say a number of rank-and-file legislators were told marijuana legalization talks were suspended on Monday.
– Scott Scanlon
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
Erie County’s first lead paint arrest is Amherst man with long criminal history: Maxim Levin was arrested on charges that he continued to rent out an apartment on Fargo Avenue where lead paint exposure was present. He became the first person arrested in the county for violating a 5-year-old public health law regarding lead paint. But it's not his first brush with the law. Last week, Levin was sentenced to 21 months in prison on tax fraud charges. Back in 2007, he pleaded guilty to numerous criminal charges.Zeke receives outpouring of support; new website will highlight family’s story: If you’re a regular newsletter reader, you probably remember the story about Zeke Sardina. He’s the severely disabled boy born to a homeless mother and adopted by a Southern Tier family. The Sardinas witnessed such an outpouring of support that the family is starting a website to inspire other would-be parents to foster or adopt children with disabilities.
Pegulas speak to media at NFL owners meeting: Terry and Kim Pegula talked with reporters Wednesday at the NFL meetings in Arizona. Terry Pegula didn't commit to building a new stadium over renovating New Era Field. But if a new stadium were to be built ... "I think the answer is probably a scaled-down version of some of these palaces that are being built around the country," he said. The co-owners talked about stadiums, the Sabres and what's going on inside PSE. As for the Sabres, Terry Pegula expressed confidence in the coach. "He's a young coach and he was a great player and I think he can grow as a coach," he said.
Owner of unleashed dog that attacked deer at golf course could face charges: The dog owner told a Town of Tonawanda police officer that his unleashed dog is a hunting dog that often chases animals, but he thought the deer was far enough away that it was safe. The officer shot the deer to death to end its suffering and the owner faces possible charges under state environmental and conservation law.
Violations at former American Brass plant stirs neighborhood concerns: The sprawling facility, now owned by the German company Aurubis AG, makes metal for use in cars, batteries and other products. Investigative Post reports the plant on Military Road near Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo has been cited for repeated federal and state environmental and safety violations. Some neighborhood residents are worried the plant could pose health risks.
WEATHER
Sunny streak continues today, but rain starts Thursday: Another sunny day is forecast Wednesday in Buffalo with seasonal temperatures. The National Weather Service calls for highs in the low to mid-40s. A cold front will approach the Buffalo Niagara region Thursday and could set up some light rain showers by the afternoon. Highs Thursday should reach into the lower 50s across most inland locations of the region and close to 50 degrees in metro Buffalo, the weather service said.FOOD & DRINK
After difficult year, Cantina 62 prepares to open in Shea’s Seneca: Undeterred by losing the lease on his last restaurant and having the Lackawanna Grove Bar close at the end of 2018, Cantina 62 owner Matthew Krupp is set to reopen his Mexican-American restaurant inside glamorous Shea's Seneca, across from Cazenovia Park.A bad sandwich made Jeff Simon miss Anthony Bourdain even more: Find out how an unsatisfactory veal cutlet sandwich from a venerable restaurant in the Northtowns led to thoughts of Bourdain, the chef, food writer and cable TV traveler. "He was a pitiless truth-teller along with being an explorer devoted to great underdogs," writes Simon, who dearly misses Bourdain's "voice and moral force."
NEW BUFFALO
An offbeat way to encourage students to pursue careers in science: Don’t expect it to become the latest fashion craze, but DNA necklaces were quite a hit as hundreds of students learned about genetics. Eighth-graders visiting the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences extracted their own DNA using their saliva. They placed the material into vials and then attached them to necklaces. WIVB-TV’s Kelsey Anderson says it’s an effort to get young people excited about studying science and pondering possible careers in the STEM field.BILLS
Sean McDermott: Josh Allen's status "adds clarity" to Bills' offseason: “Well, number one, it adds clarity to our situation, which is a good thing," McDermott said at the NFL meetings in Phoenix. "... Moving forward to now, there’ll be a process in place where he'll be out there with the ones and you try and get as much continuity with the guys that work with him starting Day One all the way through, hopefully, training camp.”Bills reportedly release Ivory: The writing was on the wall for Chris Ivory when Buffalo signed Frank Gore to its backfield. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that Ivory would be released, a move that would come with savings against the salary cap.
SABRES
Senators 4, Sabres 0: The Sabres were shut out by the worst team in the league. Lance Lysowski has the blow-by-blow from Ottawa, where the Sabres became the first team since the 1993-94 Winnipeg Jets to drop 13 consecutive road games.Sabres "stunk up the building": Buffalo has three wins in its last 20 games. Tuesday night's loss was among the worst. "I just thought we stunk," Housley said. "We stunk up the building tonight." Jack Eichel called the effort an "embarrassing" performance.
WITH YOUR MORNING COFFEE
This question was posed on Reddit a couple of days ago: "Immigrants who live in Buffalo: do you feel like Buffalo is a good place for someone not born in the USA to live?" More than 40 replies were posted in the first day – mostly positive. “Buffalo is one of the most immigrant friendly cities,” one person wrote. Another person said, "I'm here since the hurricane hit Puerto Rico and yes, I've had absolutely no problems with anyone or never have I felt not welcomed. In fact, the opposite, I've met great people and everyone is friendly." Some did red-flag our harsh winters. One person suggested heading to a warmer spot during the cold months, “or push yourself into an outdoor winter activity.”Does sidewalk shoveling count?
Where will you find the longest moving sidewalk in North America, a conveyor that allows visitors to explore an underwater gallery of sea turtles, sand tiger sharks and green sawfish? We’re describing Dangerous Lagoon, an attraction at Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto. Buffalo Spree has posted an article by Christopher Schobert titled “Road Trip / Toronto for families.” It highlights a number of activities, including LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.
While we’re pondering creatures from the deep, check out this feature from Spectrum News Buffalo about the Aquarium of Niagara’s new “Aliens of the Sea” exhibit. Breanna Fuss shares fun facts about jellyfish. Who knew that jellyfish don’t have brains or hearts?
It’s a barbershop that serves up Old First Ward history along with its cuts and shaves. Rock Boyz Barbershop recently opened inside an empty storefront on Hamburg Street and O’Connell Avenue.
NYup says the shop is decorated with vintage photos and old street signs. Ronny Rocklin’s first customer? His 99-year-old grandfather who is a lifelong resident of the Old First Ward.
No comments:
Post a Comment