A number of states have already made marijuana legal for recreational or medical use, with others continuing to grapple with the potential costs and benefits.
According to information from the Drug Policy Alliance, Michigan recently became the tenth state to approve marijuana for adult consumption and states like New York and New Jersey are looking into potential changes to their state’s policies.
Legalization has a wide range of criminal justice, health and recreational implications, and experts from around the country will be coming together to discuss them later this month. The Drug Policy Alliance is sponsoring the “Marijuana: Justice, Equity, and Reinvestment” conference on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12 in New York.
Kassandra Frederique, New York state director of the Drug Policy Alliance, called on New York to ensure a level playing field as it considers legalization.
“As New York State is on the brink of legalizing marijuana, we are clear that Governor Cuomo and the legislature must build an adult-use program that ensures equity and diversity and reinvests in the communities that were the hardest hit by marijuana enforcement,” said Frederique. “The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act does all of these things. Governor Cuomo and the new Democratic majority need to take action right away.”
Gov. Cuomo has established a work group to draft a bill regarding legalization, tax and regulation, according to the Alliance. As the new legislation session convenes, the New York State Senate will be the under control of the Democratic Party for the first time in nearly a decade. The Assembly was already under Democratic leadership as well as the executive.
Nearby, the New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee and Senate Budget Appropriations Committee hosted a joint hearing to considering the implication of legalizing marijuana. Both committees voted to move forward with a plan to legalize and tax “small amounts of marijuana for adults 21 years and older,” according to the Alliance.
Roseanne Scotti, New Jersey state director of the Drug Policy Alliance, praised the committee vote.
“Today’s vote is a step in the right direction for New Jersey. For too long, New Jersey’s marijuana laws have harmed families and communities, particularly communities of color,” said Scotti. “African Americans are three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than whites despite similar rates of use, and anecdotal evidence suggests similar disparities for Latinos. Legalizing marijuana for adult-use is essential to help repair these wrongs.”
However, opponents of legalization point to the potential financial impact of widespread use of the drug as well as the costs associated with addiction. A study conducted by the Centennial Institute regarding marijuana legalization in Colorado claims that, for every dollar of tax revenue it brings, the state will need to spend $4.50 in mitigation costs.
The study looks at the costs of impaired driving and black market activity as well as other factors. According to the Centennial Institute, the cost of addiction is “nearly impossible” to calculate, though, as much of it is unreported and untreated.
“Studies such as this show that the only people making money off the commercialization of marijuana are those in the industry who profit at the expense of public health and safety,” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. “The wealthy men in suits behind Big Marijuana will laugh all the way to the bank while minority communities continue to suffer, black markets continue to thrive, and taxpayers are left to foot the bill.”
The study can be viewed here.