legalizing marijuana
Legalization of Marijuana
Cannabis sativa or marijuana, is most known for its euphoric psychological effects when consumed. Many Canadians take part in the use of marijuana which has been illegal in Canada since the early 1900s. The topic of marijuana legalization in Canada has been a highly controversial topic over the last century. It has been discussed recently in the news due to Washington and Colorado both voting to legalize marijuana in November of 2012. The Liberal and Conservative parties both have highly conflicting views on this topic, and many Canadians’ have the misconception that marijuana is a bad ‘gateway’ drug. Marijuana should be legalized in Canada because tax revenue profits will boost Canada’s economy, save millions of dollars due to ineffective antidrug campaigns, and can provide medical benefit for those who don’t qualify for medicinal marijuana.
Canada could see a substantial growth and stability of the economy if cannabis was legalized. Associating taxes in conjunction with eliminating risk of illegal activity will have an abundant impact on the recession that is currently plaguing North America. Not only will it help with Canada’s financial woes, it would also be beneficial to Canadian citizens due to the thousands of jobs legalization would create. In 2010 a study was conducted by three researchers in Australia to uncover what taxation could do for the economy. They believed that due to the “widespread use of marijuana”, the current debate on legalization, and the “size of the underground economy” all make the research on legalization or decriminalization a “worthwhile endeavour” (Clements, Yihui & Xueyan, 2010, p. 204). If the government taxed cannabis at the same rate as tobacco “it is estimated to yield additional revenue of about 24% of the pre-existing proceeds from taxation of tobacco and alcohol” (Clements, Yihui & Xueyan, 2010, p. 237). This study proves that the economy would flourish due to marijuana legalization.
The
Cannabis sativa or marijuana, is most known for its euphoric psychological effects when consumed. Many Canadians take part in the use of marijuana which has been illegal in Canada since the early 1900s. The topic of marijuana legalization in Canada has been a highly controversial topic over the last century. It has been discussed recently in the news due to Washington and Colorado both voting to legalize marijuana in November of 2012. The Liberal and Conservative parties both have highly conflicting views on this topic, and many Canadians’ have the misconception that marijuana is a bad ‘gateway’ drug. Marijuana should be legalized in Canada because tax revenue profits will boost Canada’s economy, save millions of dollars due to ineffective antidrug campaigns, and can provide medical benefit for those who don’t qualify for medicinal marijuana.
Canada could see a substantial growth and stability of the economy if cannabis was legalized. Associating taxes in conjunction with eliminating risk of illegal activity will have an abundant impact on the recession that is currently plaguing North America. Not only will it help with Canada’s financial woes, it would also be beneficial to Canadian citizens due to the thousands of jobs legalization would create. In 2010 a study was conducted by three researchers in Australia to uncover what taxation could do for the economy. They believed that due to the “widespread use of marijuana”, the current debate on legalization, and the “size of the underground economy” all make the research on legalization or decriminalization a “worthwhile endeavour” (Clements, Yihui & Xueyan, 2010, p. 204). If the government taxed cannabis at the same rate as tobacco “it is estimated to yield additional revenue of about 24% of the pre-existing proceeds from taxation of tobacco and alcohol” (Clements, Yihui & Xueyan, 2010, p. 237). This study proves that the economy would flourish due to marijuana legalization.
The
References: Clements, K., Yihui, L., & Xueyan, Z. (2010). The demand for marijuana, tobacco and alcohol: Inter-commodity interactions with uncertainty. Emperical Economics, 39(1), 203-239. doi: 10.1007/s00181-009-0302-x Government of Canada. (2011). Prevention. Retrieved from: http://www.nationalantidrugstrategy.gc.ca/prevention/index.html Hathaway, A. D., & Rossiter, K. (2007). Medical marijuana, community building, and Canada’s compassionate societies. Contemporary Justice Review, 1(3), 283-296. doi: 10.1080/10282580701526088