Illustration by Mckynzie Romer
In the 1920’s, prohibition was synonymous with the mob and black market booze. These days, nationwide proscription doesn’t target alcohol, but instead this era’s recreational drug of choice: marijuana. Despite this, the innocuous and – quite honestly – popular herb has absolutely thrived in the backyards of peoples’s homes and teenagers’ sketchy basements. The furtive trade has had to stay relatively underground, usually requiring connections through the avant-garde of society. However, under a new state law, authorized marijuana businesses will be granted the legal means of turning profit without limits on actual substance growth. This seemingly simple implementation of legislature will set precedent for all other states; California will be a catalyst for marijuana’s expansion in capitalist America.
Marijuana had gained immense popularity amongst people of all demographics, ranging from high school students to full grown adults. It was, and is, widely considered to be the “safest” drug out there — a fact that still remains undisputed within both medical and scientific circles. However, the market has only been able to expand to a certain degree, considering that many growers have been limited in terms of legal and financial resources. Under the new state law, the marijuana industry has finally opened up to the world. This development has reignited the flames of passion last seen during the California Gold Rush, with both corporations and lone investors scrambling to grab their shares of the profits (some of whom have been waiting since 1996, when it was forbidden).
Legalized and massive-scale marijuana farming has birthed a unique industry with vast potential for consumers, producers, and all other in-state residents. For examples of immense profit and social benefits from marijuana, just take a look at Washington or Colorado. In Colorado, possession arrests have dropped a staggering 84%, while distribution arrests have dropped an even greater percentage of 90%. The months following legalization were met with a 9% drop in overall property crimes. Similar statistics emerged from Washington. These numbers do not deserve to be ignored; rather they are hard evidence of social prosperity ensuing legalization of marijuana sales.
Furthermore, tax revenues have increased in both states by around 40 to 50 million dollars — a sum that has gone towards refining public properties, education, and infrastructure. These figures have astonished individuals ranging from the average tax payer to state experts. One quote in particular describes the situation quite bluntly: “Marijuana prohibition has been a costly failure — to individuals, communities, and the entire country,” says Tamar Todd, the Director of Marijuana Law and Policy at the Drug Policy Alliance.
Although 23 other states are experiencing social and political changes in the stance towards marijuana, the case of California will be like no other. With voters expected to approve recreational marijuana use in November, the West Coast state will easily become the world’s largest legal market for the favored narcotic. Estimates are changing day to day as promises of grandiose profits are skyrocketing far beyond what local pot shops and growers have undergone in other states. This has allowed California itself to flourish vastly as well. Prosperity is clearly evident in cities across the southern California desert as firms race to permit commercial cultivation in properties that have tripled in value. The obvious fact is that legal marijuana will rake in tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars for the state. This will help to fund better public equipment and facilities — a more apparent benefit. However, the subtler blessing will be seen in the public, as millions will finally be able to use marijuana without fear of persecution or detainment. For years this harmless drug has been praised by celebrities and has been criticized by the ignorant and scared, but now it’s finally valid. And it’s honestly about time.
