When Marijuana Became Legal

 

In November 2012, Colorado, and Washington’s legalization of cannabis for recreational use became public. After, the legalization of cannabis became public in 9 other states including the District of Columbia. Furthermore, New Jersey, South Dakota, Arizona, and Montana were for the personal use of cannabis.

 

When marijuana became legal in these states, supporters and critics had their own opinions. Advocates believe that cannabis legalization decreases criminal activities and stimulates the economy. Critics believe that cannabis is a gateway drug that can increase the usage of other drugs.

 

When marijuana became legal in different US states, it has led to many benefits. Many of the benefits were once only theoretical but are now true. Since most states have legal marijuana, we can easily see the benefits from them. Here are some of the good things that happen when marijuana became legal.

 

·         Dismantling Of the Black Market

The black market consists of illegal drugs like marijuana. Legalizing marijuana can reduce black market sales, putting them out of business. Now we have cannabis dispensaries in every corner facilitating cannabis sales. Since dispensaries are under government regulation, you know you are buying good weed. Since the black market disappears due to cannabis legalization, states can be free of crimes.

 

·         Increased Tax Revenue

One of the biggest pros, when cannabis became legal, was an increase in tax revenue. To better explain, legal cannabis sales were $996 million in 2015. This amount is about a billion dollars.

 

Furthermore, the tax revenue from cannabis sales was a total of $135 million. The money from tax revenue helps the government to fix roads and fund public projects. Also, if the tax revenue keeps increasing the government can improve schools and improve safety.

 

·         Availability Of Medicinal Cannabis

The legalization of cannabis in different states is because it treats different medical conditions.

Medical marijuana can treat numerous “untreatable” conditions and act as an alternative treatment. If pharmaceuticals don’t work for you can use medical marijuana as an alternative.

 

People in legal cannabis states have advantages, therefore there’s a need for nationwide legalization. Making medical cannabis legal means an improvement in public health. It would also mean less burden on the health care system.

 

·         Decrease In Gang-Related Drug Violence

Gang-related drug violence leads to many unfortunate deaths. When marijuana became legal the amount of violence is slowly reducing. Drug gangs are common in many urban areas around the country. The legalization of recreational marijuana nationwide will eliminate this trend.

 

In legal cannabis states, those unfortunate individuals can turn to the police for help. This promotes the safety of the public who are usually victims of gang-related drug violence.

 

Bottom line

Marijuana is great means for improving the fiscal position of states helping them to grow. When marijuana became legal, states have fewer enforcement expenditures and more tax revenue. States with legal marijuana have more tax revenue which improves their health system.

 

There is a need for more research to understand the economic impact of cannabis legalization. Regardless, since cannabis is illegal at the federal level, it’s difficult to know all the impacts of marijuana legalization.