Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in the nation. It has broken tourism records, with over 77 million visiting the state in 2015. Are they there for the scenery, skiing or attractions? Well, they're certainly there for some kind of recreation.
While Colorado has scenery that can't be seen anywhere else, it is popular for another reason: Recreational marijuana usage was legalized there in 2012. For years, advocates argued it would help their economy. Were they right?
Turns out, they were. A study indicates legal weed is a growing motivator for trips to Colorado. Cannabis connoisseurs are enthusiastically flocking to the state, helping their economy, but causing some unforeseen problems.
One particular part of Interstate 70 in Colorado has had some problems ever since weed's legalization. It has nothing to do with impaired driving. It has to do with thievery.
The Mile 420 sign kept going missing. 420 is code for marijuana. So in a state where it became legal, this sign became a hot commodity.
The Colorado Department of Transportation soon got tired of having to continually replace the sign. The marijuana industry may create more jobs than manufacturing by 2020, which is great for the economy as a whole. But for now, the C.D.O.T. had to find a way to keep their signs from being nabbed.
After a lot of thought, they came up with an ingenious solution. Instead of making the signs harder to steal, they would just change the sign. All they had to do was give it the tiniest little nudge.
They moved the sign over by .01 miles. It is now Mile 419.99. They hope this will curb stoners with sticky fingers.
It hasn't been a complete success. The sign has gone missing a few times, but overall they say it's an improvement. Hopefully these prankster potheads at least know the way to use marijuana safely.
The unique Mile 419.99 sign has become yet another tourist attraction. Marijuana has helped the state in all sorts of ways. Why was it ever illegal in the first place?
Here are the coordinates of the sign if you'd like to visit it yourself. If you happen to be driving by, it makes for a great selfie. Just don't steal it, you degenerates.
Today, more college students smoke pot than cigarettes, which is important. Marijuana is slowly proving itself as not the evil drug portrayed in propaganda such as the film Reefer Madness. In fact, studies are showing how it can benefit your health.
So thank you, C.D.O.T. for this hilarious story. The Mile 420 sign wasn't the only one they had to change, either. Although, I think that other activity has always been legal there (and a lot of fun).
In either case, when thieves make these Colorado employees' job tough, at least they have a pretty effective, legal way to chill out after work.