The Benefits of the Legalization of Marijuana in Colorodo and Washinton state - Research Paper Example

The Benefits of the Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado and Washington s Legalization of Marijuana removed it from the criminal justice system. Marijuana is now under regulations similar to those of tobacco and alcohol. Regulating and legalizing marijuana will confine it to the rule of law, create economic and job opportunities in the formalized economy instead of trading it in the illicit markets. The law enforcement resources that could have been used in protecting the public safety are now preserved. The preservation of the resources decreases courts and corrections fine. The state governments are now acquiring new sources of tax revenue by regulating its sale (Drug Policy Alliance).
The legalization of marijuana means that there will be no more arrests that will be made to people either found using or in possession of the drug. Under the new Colorados law, residents who are beyond 21 years of age can possess, produce, sell and use up to an ounce of the drug at any given time. The law has had an immense and measurable effect to the colored people in Colorado where racial disparities regarding marijuana use and possession arrests have been questionable. Police in Colorado have been arresting blacks three times more than the whites. The arrests have been questionable since the whites have higher rates of using the drug than the colored residents. According to the NAACP, the legalization will alleviate the biased arrests. The blacks make 11% of Colorado’s population, but for every three Marijuana related arrests made, one must be a black person. The arrests have long-lasting and devastating effects. The arrests records affect an individual’s chances of getting a job, loans, housing, and other public benefits. People with Marijuana arrest records are demoted to the second class status. With the legalization of Marijuana, such arrests are stopped making life easy for all residents (Franklin 4).
Legalizing the use of marijuana solves the problems associated with the illicit market. Marijuana users will shift to purchasing the drug from regulated stores. Violence originating from street corner trades will cease as the markets will be replaced with well-guarded stores having security and surveillance systems. Consumers now get clear information of what they are buying instead of getting whatever that is wrapped up in a baggie. The consumers will now have the benefit of choosing of what they want from a wide variety of the product depending on the price and the quality they want. The prices of the drug will respond like those of other products depending on supply and demand. The consumers in Washington and Colorado will now buy products that are unadulterated and tested. For the consumers who opt not to buy from the stores, they have a permit to grow a maximum of six plants from their Colorado homes (Franklin 5).
Legalizing Marijuana has potential economic benefits. The taxman and policymakers are heavily taxing the sales of the Marijuana drugs. Both Colorado and Washington states have imposed a 25 percent tax from Marijuana sales. The Tax foundation, which is nonpartisan, estimates that Colorado will generate $70 million from new taxes. The initial proceeds will construct schools and since the revenues will exceed school needs, its officials are thinking of better ways to use the tax money (Shane n.d.). Marijuana taxes and legal fees are projected to amount to $190 million by the state Washington in mid-2015. Medical marijuana dispensaries in California generate an estimate of $105 million tax revenue annually (Stuart n.d).
Regardless of the risks associated with legalizing marijuana, policies that will bring sanity to the society, generate, and save money should be seriously considered. Such drug policies will be fiscally responsible and Colorado can be a good example.
Works Cited
Drug Policy Alliance. "Marijuana Legalization and Regulation." Drug Policy Alliance. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2014. .
Franklin, Neil. "3 Reasons Marijuana Legalization in Colorado Is Good for People of Color." Politics 1 (2014): 2. Print.
Shane, scott. "Why Colorado and Washington Were Wise to Legalize Pot." Enterpreneur 1 (2014): 2. Print.
Stuart, Hunter. "If You Support Legal Marijuana, Memorize These 13 Stats." business 1 (2014): 2. Print. Read More