WHAT IMPACT AFTER THE LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS?

1. WHAT IMPACT AFTER THE LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS? When a country or state allows for the sale and use of recreational cannabis, it has positive economic and social impacts. Multiple studies have shown that these various impacts are largely the same from one state to another, particularly in the long-term. Below are some of the benefits of the legalization of recreational cannabis based on research data to better know its impact in states. LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS: REAL ESTATE AND TAX BENEFITS States that legalize the use of recreational cannabis have seen a significant increase in lease rates and property values where cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, retailers and dispensaries operate. And it is not only land values and commercial properties that benefit from the cannabis industry; a study found that housing values also increase with in places with marijuana legalization. One easy way to determine the economic benefit of the cannabis industry in local municipalities and states is via tax revenue, especially in places where both the medical and recreational marijuana use is legal. In fact, some states do not tax medical marijuana at all, although it is not usual for recreational weed to be taxed many times. The taxes collected are used in various ways, such as education, law enforcement and community programs. Data has shown that the cannabis industry positively affects municipalities and states by creating more jobs, generating tax revenue for various purposes, and increasing real estate values. But does the economic benefits outweigh the costs associated with cannabis

2. programs? Researchers found that the cannabis industry does give a net positive economic benefit to the country. LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS: CRIME, SAFETY, HEALTH AND EDUCATION BENEFITS Numerous studies have shown that the legalization of cannabis reduces some crimes. Arrests and court filings related to cannabis possession, cultivation and distribution have significantly dropped following its legalization. In turn, this reduced number of arrests by law enforcement agents have led to significant savings that they can reallocate to other things like social investments. Another impact on the legalization of recreational cannabis is public safety issues. This is especially interesting because majority of those people who oppose marijuana legalization reason out that doing so will increase the occurrence of car accidents involving drivers using cannabis. However, according to research, cannabis legalization actually does not increase car accidents. In fact, driving under the influence of arrests went down after legalization. The legalization of marijuana has been linked to lowers rates of harm, opioid-related overdoses and death, significantly improving public health during the opioid epidemic. This impact does not only apply to medical cannabis, but to recreational cannabis as well. Opioid overdose death rates have decreased to 25 percent with marijuana. Also, there is a 23 percent reduction in opioid dependence or abuse. In a recent survey, many people oppose the legalization of recreational cannabis, with them saying that one very important reason for this resistance is it can lead to more people consuming stronger and more addictive drugs. However, research does not support this belief. Rather, more studies show that majority of people favor cannabis being legalized because of its well known medical benefits.

3. States and countries that have legalized cannabis has shown that its use among the youth has remained stable, almost in line in those places where it is not legal. But there are recent studies showing that there actually is a decrease in marijuana use among the young following its legalization. It also does not affect dropout and graduation rates. The data researchers have come with clearly shows that the legalization of recreational cannabis has several positive economic and social effects. Surely, more will come as additional states and countries start to legalize and regular cannabis. But until then, more studies are needed and more impact metrics have to be analyzed and tracked.