Legalization of marijuana called a big mistake

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In early August, Sen. Corey Booker introduced a bill proposing to legalize marijuana throughout the country and punish local communities that do not want to build a business based on the use of this drug plant.

However, as the experience of the state of Colorado has shown, the legalization of cannabis does not lead to the positive effects that proponents of this decision predict, writes USA Today.

Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in 2012. Over the years that have passed since then, the state has seen an increase in the number of deaths in marijuana-related accidents, as well as an increase in the number of visits to emergency departments due to the use of this drug.

The black grass market in Colorado, contrary to forecasts, has increased, not decreased. And numerous employees of regulatory agencies involved in controlling the market for marijuana in the state were charged with corruption.

In 2012, state residents were promised that the proceeds from taxes from the sale of marijuana would be spent on schools. However, according to the superintendent of the school district Cherry creek Harry Bulla, “So far, the only thing the legalization of marijuana brought to our schools was marijuana itself.”

In fiscal year 2016, marijuana tax revenue in the state was $156,7 million, and total tax revenue in Colorado was $13,3 billion. Thus, marijuana only generates 1,18% of the state's total tax revenue. The cost of marijuana legalization—particularly public awareness campaigns, increased law enforcement, medical training, addiction prevention, and addiction control—is not yet known.

Senator Booker justifies his desire to legalize marijuana across the country with a desire to reduce the number of arrests in poor communities, the only cause of which is often this drug.

However, the experience of Colorado showed that the legalization of marijuana acts on the statistics of arrests is the opposite.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Security, arrests in Colorado of African-American and Latin American men for possession of marijuana after its legalization increased by 58% and 29%, respectively.

Since the legalization of marijuana, youth use in Colorado has been the highest in the country—74% higher than the U.S. average—and has had a negative impact on youth education.

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Legal use of marijuana: what you need to know

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