Since the legalization of marijuana in Colorado, the state itself has seen an increase of over 1,000 jobs being introduced into the burgeoning industry. Just last year, this new legalization has made up to $135 million in funds and led the industry to become a $1 billion a year one. These statistics are the ones that Massachusetts must face currently, and their decision can make or break them money wise.
Making marijuana legal hasn’t change Colorado completely, besides the sudden inflow of millions of dollars. You still need to be 21 years of age and if you do not possess a medical card, then you are only allowed to leave a store with an ounce of weed/product. Most of the concerns for the Colorado enforcement is that people will now be more willing to “drug drive.” However, like drinking and driving, putting in a new law to counteract that, is a simple fix.
Journalist Cully Stimson, from the Daily Signal, wrote in November of 2014 that…
"The data coming out of Colorado is exhibit A on why voters should reject legalization efforts. Even the Democratic governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, said that legalizing marijuana in Colorado was “reckless.” As I have written at Heritage, pot-positive traffic fatalities have gone up 100 percent since voters legalized pot in Colorado. This is true despite the fact that overall traffic fatalities in Colorado have gone down since 2007."
Although Stimson has a point on the stats about drug driving, this was an article that was written before the new law of making drug driving illegal was put in place.
Desirae Hoover, a journalist for Huffington Post, wrote an article in September 2017 talking about the benefits of legalizing marijuana. Hoover states that marijuana is a medicine for over two million people to use to relieve stress, headaches, and physical pain.
Hoover also points out that one of the biggest benefits of legalizing the drug is the amount of cash that states receive from it. As stated before, Colorado made millions in legalizing marijuana. Harvard students performed a study, showing that if the government legalized marijuana, it would bring in an additional $46.7 billion in yearly tax revenue.
These are all benefits that Massachusetts would also see if they followed Colorado and its legalization. On a less scientific point of view, marijuana does not cause violent people. Unlike alcohol, which can cause people to get overly violent and make mayhem, marijuana is known to relax and produce more happiness within people.
I grew up in a family who constantly was involved and going to church. Although my church was not very strict, my family does have multiple family members who have had drug and alcohol problems. Because I grew up watching some of my family members drink and do drugs on an average day, I was turned away from the idea of trying it at an early age.
I used to be completely against the legalization of marijuana because I thought it would influence younger people to want to try it earlier on. But then I looked at alcohol and how it will just be the same instance. People are going to try whatever beverage or drug they want to, no matter the age limit.
I personally believe now that marijuana should be legalized mainly for economics. The studies and statistics have shown that by legalizing marijuana, it helps those states earn millions in revenue. Since Colorado has legalized marijuana, nothing has changed in that state and all the other ones in the United States. If legalizing only helps the state and the people in it, then why not legalize it everywhere?