We are seeing the social and economic benefits of legalizing weed in certain states in the US, in Canada, and other countries who have allowed it. While there are still people who are opposed to legalization, statistics show that there are significant social and economic benefits that come from making this product legal. The sooner governments move forward with legalization, the more benefits there will be, both socially and financially. Doing it in 2020 is the way to go.
Economic Benefits of Legalizing Weed We Will Get from Making It Legal
The economic benefits of legalizing weed are substantial for both local and national governments. The marijuana boom is going to help bolster lagging economies and tax revenues while allowing for more expenditures in social service areas.
1. Revenue for Government
Black market sales of weed means that money is getting spent with no tax revenue coming in. The sellers make a profit and none of it is goes to the government as it would with legalized products. If weed was legalized nationally, there would be billions in sales tax realized as well as business tax revenue, payroll deductions, more jobs, new business ventures, buildings, and retail opportunities. This would create astounding economic benefits of legalizing marijuana. If weed was legalized in the US in 2020, it is estimated that the government would see up to $10 billion in new revenue. Colorado is proof of this with half a billion in new tax revenue – and that’s in one state.
2. Investors Win
If marijuana is legalized, investors in the cannabis industry will end up with big returns. The money will not only come from the growing companies and retail operations for marijuana products but drug companies as well. There are a lot of potential untapped markets in Cannabidiol and other cannabis medicines that use both THC and CBD. Markets will open up in the area of concentrates, vapes, glass, and edibles. The legalization of weed would allow new products for recreational and medicinal use and companies to build their reputations and be listed on the stock exchange. The growth would be substantial with huge economic gains for those who invest early.
3. Less Cost for Law Enforcement
The amount of money spent in the criminal justice system on those charged and incarcerated due to marijuana convictions is massive. The US government alone spends over $3 billion each year to deal with this as a criminal issue. If weed was legalized, the money, court time, and jail space that would be freed up would be substantial. That combined with increased taxes from weed sales and new businesses would make a significant impact on the budget. The substantial lower legal costs along with increased taxation would provide the opportunity to apply new revenue to areas that are now struggling, such as education and health care.
4. New Job Market
With a new industry comes new jobs. The estimate is that there would be over a million jobs created in the US within five years if marijuana was legalized in 2020. Grow ops, processing facilities, retail, and distribution all need workers. The expansion of consultants and side industries will expand as well. More jobs mean more taxes and greater economic benefits of legalizing weed for the area.
Social Benefits We Will Get from Making Weed Legal
While the economic impact of legalizing marijuana is substantial, so are the social benefits that come with it.
1. Crime Reduction
Once cannabis is legal, studies show that there is a reduction in specific types of crime. Arrest rates drop, court filings are reduced, and there is some thought that other violent crime may drop as well. This benefit is intertwined with the economic benefits as reduced crime means less money spent on dealing with marijuana and more available for other areas of crime prevention.
2. Public Safety
While many opponents of marijuana legalization say it will increase impaired driving, it has been shown to be otherwise. Some have even said that DUI’s may be reduced after legalization but those numbers are still under investigation.
3. Public Health and Well Being
Legalizing marijuana helps reduce the number of opioid-related issues. This is because people will begin to use weed to alleviate pain and other medical issues that they would have used opiates for in the past. Using products with CBD or THC helps deal with chronic pain, nausea, and other ongoing health issues that did not have other medical options other than addictive opiates. With the legalization of marijuana, both medicinal and recreational, opiates use goes down as does the death rate from overdose and addiction.
4. Reduced Social Stigma
Legalizing marijuana means those who have been charged in the criminal justice system are no longer accused. Without the threat of charges for use as a minor, they can go about their lives, get jobs, and work without feeling threatened that someone will find out. Legalization offers legitimization.
Final Thoughts
There is no significant downside to legalizing weed in 2020. The social and economic benefits of legalizing weed are substantial and the health benefits and economic stability could bring positive outcomes that should not be ignored. Legalizing weed offers economic opportunity to bolster faltering economies through a new tax base while offering job and investment opportunities. More studies are becoming available that also show the health benefits of cannabis, whether it is with CBD or THC.
Society needs to halt its knee jerk reaction to legalization and promoting the false scenario of it being a gateway drug. Weed has been falsely vilified and the time has come to promote scientific research and educate people on the benefits. Truth rather than unfounded fear in this product can bring about change economically, socially, and medically. Embracing the good that weed and its byproducts offer is something more governments need to do for the benefit of all people. The tide is turning and the benefits of legalization are starting to be noticed.