I’ve never really cared much
about states legalizing marijuana for recreational use. I visited Colorado shortly after the law
passed, and I was surprised to find out how little had really changed, just
because people could now legally buy marijuana for recreational use. You can read about that trip, and your fellow
students’ responses here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-mile-high-city-may-be-higher-than_8.html
What has struck me as
interesting is what states like Colorado are doing with all the revenue they’re
generating from legalizing marijuana.
Colorado first legalized the drug in January of 2014. Within the first month, they had generated
$46.9 million in total sales. That’s
right – million! Their cumulative
revenue in 2014 was $76.2 million, by 2015 that number had jumped to $86.7
million. Currently, Colorado imposes
three types of tax on marijuana sales.
They have a regular 2.9% state sales tax, with an additional special
marijuana sales tax of 10%. Then there’s
a 15% excise tax on wholesale transfers.
So what are they doing with all this revenue?
First, they’ve earmarked the
revenue generated from the excise tax for school construction projects. Aurora, Colorado’s third largest city is
using the $1.5 million they’ve generated from marijuana taxes to support the
homeless, through increased shelter beds, and vans for additional homeless
outreach. It’s not just Colorado either.
In March, Los Angeles said they plan to use the revenue generated from
their 15% tax on marijuana cultivation to also support homeless individuals –
through housing, supportive services, mobile showers, vouchers and outreach. LA,
which currently only allows marijuana cultivation for medicinal usage has said
if they were able to legalize marijuana for recreational use, the revenue generated
would be “significantly more.”
So my question to you this
week is, “What do you think of legalizing marijuana for recreational use? Do you support or oppose these laws? Do you think how states are using the revenue
will change anyone’s minds?” You must
answer all questions for full credit.
Answers are due no later than Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
I think it is a good idea to legalize marijuana for recreational use. I support the laws of legalizing marijuana. Maybe when they see the benefits of how they are using the revenue it will change people minds who are opposed to the legalization of marijuana. By using the tax money for helping the homeless and school construction projects is a great thing!!
ReplyDeleteI believe if alcohol and cigarettes can be legalized (especially with how addictive they are), then legalizing cannabis should be no problem. I support these laws, because as mentioned in the post, tax money generated from the marijuana sales is going for great causes. Not to mention the numerous jobs that can stem from legalizing cannabis. I believe (at least I would like to believe) that after seeing the benefits and the revenue generated, it would behove other states to follow in the footsteps of Colorado and California.
ReplyDeleteI don't see an issue with legalizing marijuana for recreational use because I believe that if substances like addictive prescription drugs and alcohol both have negative effects on the human body and puts them at health risk, then cannabis should be legal too. I'm not saying that marijuana is the safest drug in the world, however, it is much safer than other drugs and alcohol. I believe that legalizing marijuana in all 50 states could create new jobs, generate more tax money, and even create multiple revenue streams for America. If Colorado has been doing well for the past two years by legalizing marijuana for recreational use, then why not for the other states?
ReplyDeleteLike the people before me, I have no issue with marijuana being legalized and think it should be. I would support and if possible vote in favor of any legalization laws attempted to be passed in Indiana. Not only because I can see numerous benefits for the tax income generated, but also because it would provide a form of competition for cigarette use, something that is needed, considering how much money the tobacco corporations have access to despite the inherent dangers of using their products. And I personally would like to hope it would change other states opinions, you unfortunately never know with voters in the US
ReplyDeleteI do not see an issue with legalizing marijuana for recreational use because there are so many other things that are legal or not that does thing so much worse. if they legalized marijuana it can open up so many possibilities like create jobs and they can tax it and have more money. marijuana literally just makes you mellow and chill compared to drinking and taking pills, when was the last time you have heard somebody doing something stupid on under the influence of marijuana. I think that the legalization of marijuana can open up so many different opportunities and can help our economy.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is okay to legalize marijuana for recreational use. It seems to be safer than alcohol and tobacco & it's pretty much used for the same reasons so it's really no different. I think legalizing it could actually help the economy, which is why I support the Colorado laws. That is wonderful that they are using the money for the good of the people! If more people knew these states were actually using the money for, I believe it could definitely change the minds of those who are against it. With Colorado being the 'guinea pig' & testing it out for the last 2 years, it should definitely open up other state's eyes to the good that legalizing it can bring.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be legal for medicinal purposes but not for recreational use but the dispersion of the revenue is useful. For me, it is a very intense drug. If it can't be regulated, people may have plenty of negative affects. I live in fear of intoxicated drivers as well (affects of living in broad ripple).
ReplyDeleteSo my question to you this week is, “What do you think of legalizing marijuana for recreational use? Do you support or oppose these laws? Do you think how states are using the revenue will change anyone’s minds?” You must answer all questions for full credit. Answers are due no later than Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that legalizing marijuana is a great idea. i knew that having the substance legalized means that whatever tax could be used and with how many estimated people use it means alot more money. its just like cigarettes or alcohol in that fact, but it does overall less damage to a persons body then the chemicals in cigarettes or people getting impaired by the recreational use of alcohol. now here is where we get to the problem at hand... will the revenue change peoples minds about its use? the answer is simply no, it wont. many people will still cling onto the idea of marijuana being a gateway drug, but to the people that will pass the laws... this means prisons will receive less money because marijuana is now legal so less people going to jail.
~Patrick Shaffer
copied the question to the top to remember, but forgot to delete it. how ironic
DeleteI have no issue with the legalization of marijuana, as it could be financially beneficial to do so. I'm glad to see that the money gained from the legalization of marijuana in Colorado has been put to good use, and I do hope that this will encourage other states to legalize it as well. However, I do think that states that are considered more conservative, like Indiana, won't see marijuana legalized for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't understand why people have let the government so adamantly oppose marijuana; smoking is not its only use. Heck, there are some companies in Europe that are using hemp fiber for cheap and durable construction! The uses for the cannabis plant are extremely numerous, and companies (and the government) could easily make substantial profits by legalizing it and regulating it, which would without question help the economy and reduce imprisonment rates since many incarcerated people are simply charged for drug use.
ReplyDeleteI am 120% for legalization of marijuana for recreational use. I support these laws. If marijuana was legalized, it would create a lot of new jobs and our country may be able to get out of debt from the money from taxing marijuana. Marijuana is just a plant and it calms you down. I mean alcohol is legal and I believe its way more dangerous than marijuana. I think the world would be a much happier place if everyone smoked marijuana everyday ☺
ReplyDeleteI am for recreational use because of the possibility of decriminalizing it and generating tax revenue. Colorado was the best damn example of what legalizing marijuana can do. I am surprised more states haven't jumped on board. Education and talking about marijuana is also something I support, but we can barely get schools to openly talk about sex so I think implementing education on marijuana is probably a far stretch. All in all there hasn't been any negative repercussions from Colorado after legalization.
ReplyDeleteI suggest watching High Profits on Netflix!
I think its a good idea. I mean there is a plus to both sides. People who like to smoke weed; can legally and help out with funding for all of these programs. Although it does seem really good, I personally would feel some type of way if I was getting taxed extra for something I do not even do. You know what about the people who do not smoke marijuana and is forced to give up more than they already do. I feel like it would be half and half.
ReplyDeleteI most definitely think that legalizing marijuana for recreational use is a great idea. The money making aspect is definitely seen as a plus and I do feel should help in the argument if people are against it. We would also have less people thrown in jail and if it was legalized for recreational use, it would also be used medicinally which is something I feel needs to happen here soon anyway. If we were able to even grow hemp here, that too would help out the economy and our earth. All around, I feel marijuana is something that should be legal nation wide.
ReplyDeleteI believe legalizing marijuana is just fine. Its a plant that doesn't cause any harm. Im all for the laws and if it can help then why not. Legalizing marijuana will minimize the jails/prisons and with the tax earned off it will help schools, homelessness, etc. why not thats awesome. Its great how they are using the taxes generated off of it and legalizing it will open it up to more people studying and finding better usages out of it then just getting high.
ReplyDeleteI think marijuana should be legalized in very specific areas, not every state. People in states with large amount of crimes should be not be legalized. I really don't mind if marijuana is legalize or not. Legalizing marijuana for recreational use sounds very supported for other people but what if it leads the consumers to another type of drugs; Not everyone has self control. I do believe the way the states are using the revenue can change other states mind; only if the state is visually progressing.
ReplyDeleteAll 50 states need to legalize marijuana. The way LA is considering using the funds is awesome. Marijuana is a huge reason there is prison overcrowding. I highly support marijuana being legalized for recreational use. Alcohol and tobacco are. So why not marijuana? I hope if the states use the revenue in a positive way, people will think differently of it.
ReplyDeleteSince the states that have legalized have seen a significant rise in their revenue overall then maybe legalizing it wouldn't be that much of an issue. We all know how the government loves their money. I fully support these laws in the way of it helps generate the money that can be used for things such as: educational construction work and the homeless, which is not focused on as much as it should be. Once the people of this country see this significant rise then maybe it will change not only their minds but also the governments too.
ReplyDeleteI don't really see anything bad about this. I support these laws. I think that using the funds made from selling marijuana to help the homeless will absolutely get people on board. They are helping people who really need help. Continue legalizing it in more places.
ReplyDeleteI believe that legalizing marijuana for recreation use is a good idea. I support the laws regarding the legalization. How the states are benifiting or will benefit from revenue should change everyone's outlook to become more accepting.
ReplyDelete