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| The #yogadabs trend certainly flourishes in America's five healthiest cities. (Photo via Sasquatch Glass, Washington) |
America’s top 5 healthiest cities love marijuana
in Health, Lifestyle
In another blow to critics of cannabis law reform, marijuana bastions such as San Francisco and Seattle are part of America’s top five healthiest cities. The money website NerdWallet analyzed fitness and health care data for the 50 largest U.S. metro areas and released their list Monday.
America’s top five healthiest cities are:
5) Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Colorado
This area has had medical marijuana for about a decade, and made history Jan. 1 2014 with the first recreational sales of cannabis to adults 21 and over. Critics of legalization worry that in 2013 Colorado had the second highest rate of cannabis use in the nation, behind Rhode Island.
This area has had medical marijuana for about a decade, and made history Jan. 1 2014 with the first recreational sales of cannabis to adults 21 and over. Critics of legalization worry that in 2013 Colorado had the second highest rate of cannabis use in the nation, behind Rhode Island.
4) Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington
Another longtime bastion of support for drug law reform, Seattle has an unbridled medical marijuana industry with dozens of dispensaries. In July, state officials rolled out Washington’s first recreational stores in the Seattle.
Another longtime bastion of support for drug law reform, Seattle has an unbridled medical marijuana industry with dozens of dispensaries. In July, state officials rolled out Washington’s first recreational stores in the Seattle.
3) Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Oregon and Washington
Portlandia has enjoyed its own robust medical marijuana industry for years, in addition to decriminalization statewide for decades. Voting for full legalization in November was a no-brainer for the region. After the vote, Portlanders biked to their nearest kale smoothie stand and celebrated.
Portlandia has enjoyed its own robust medical marijuana industry for years, in addition to decriminalization statewide for decades. Voting for full legalization in November was a no-brainer for the region. After the vote, Portlanders biked to their nearest kale smoothie stand and celebrated.
2) San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, California
Our very own Bay Area ranks second in the nation in healthiness. San Francisco hosted the world’s first-ever medical cannabis dispensary, Dennis Peron’s SF Cannabis Buyers Club in the early ‘90s. California has had medical marijuana since 1996, and recreational decriminalization since 2010. The Bay Area has dozens of licensed, regulated dispensaries and even more delivery services.
Our very own Bay Area ranks second in the nation in healthiness. San Francisco hosted the world’s first-ever medical cannabis dispensary, Dennis Peron’s SF Cannabis Buyers Club in the early ‘90s. California has had medical marijuana since 1996, and recreational decriminalization since 2010. The Bay Area has dozens of licensed, regulated dispensaries and even more delivery services.
1) Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Massachusetts and New Hampshire
The nation’s healthiest metro area is also on the short list for East Coast jurisdictions likely to be the first to tax and regulate cannabis. Massachusetts has a state-licensed dispensary system. The New Hampshire legislature may be among the first to legalize through an elected body, as opposed to a general vote.
The nation’s healthiest metro area is also on the short list for East Coast jurisdictions likely to be the first to tax and regulate cannabis. Massachusetts has a state-licensed dispensary system. The New Hampshire legislature may be among the first to legalize through an elected body, as opposed to a general vote.
So, how about America’s six least healthiest cities in the NerdWallet study and their marijuana policies? We smell a trend:
45. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California
Conservative, inland Southern California bans licensed medical marijuana dispensaries, and voted against Prop 215 in 1996.
Conservative, inland Southern California bans licensed medical marijuana dispensaries, and voted against Prop 215 in 1996.
46. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Supposedly conservative Oklahoma has some of the worst penalties for personal private use of cannabis in the nation. You can get a year in jail for a pipe.
Supposedly conservative Oklahoma has some of the worst penalties for personal private use of cannabis in the nation. You can get a year in jail for a pipe.
47. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas
Texas made headlines in 2014 with a potential life sentence for a kid caught with pot brownies.
Texas made headlines in 2014 with a potential life sentence for a kid caught with pot brownies.
48. San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas
Texas. … I can’t even.
Texas. … I can’t even.
49. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida
The notoriously conservative state failed to pass medical marijuana in 2014 and enjoys healthy profits from locking up pot smokers.
The notoriously conservative state failed to pass medical marijuana in 2014 and enjoys healthy profits from locking up pot smokers.
50. Memphis, Tenn., Arkansas, Mississippi
This low-performing Southern state stands to be among the last to exit the War on Marijuana — and if you don’t like it you can take your butt out to Colorado, hippie.
This low-performing Southern state stands to be among the last to exit the War on Marijuana — and if you don’t like it you can take your butt out to Colorado, hippie.
