Monday, October 10, 2016

Answering Question #4
For all who have not heard about it, the state of Massachusetts is trying to legalize the recreational sales of marijuana. And when I say “try” I say it quite literally. The question to legalize marijuana has been on the horizon since 2008. An eight yearlong, head to head battle between the opposing views but somehow still ends up on the ballot every year. The state of Massachusetts clearly wants it legalized, but what keeps getting in our way? If we want it, let us have it.
If question number four is approved in November, by December 15th 2016, retail marijuana sales will be legal in Massachusetts. If passed the law will have limits to its regulations, such as you must be 21 years or older to purchase it, or their will be a state sales tax of 3.75%.[1] But the benefit is said to “…raise millions of dollars in new revenue each year. Legitimate marijuana businesses will create thousands of good jobs for Massachusetts residents.”[2] Seems reasonable to say that the benefits outweigh the negatives.

But for some the question still stands for whether or not the “gateway drug” should be open to the public in recreational use. State Senator Jason Lewis mentioned that “this ballot question is the wrong approach at the wrong time in Massachusetts.”[3] Understandably the recreational use of marijuana has just been recently introduced in the United States and some still view the drug very negatively, but opponents need to look at the bigger picture.

The recreational sales of the cannabis will introduce a $1.1 billion[4] market for the state of Massachusetts. What better solution to help Massachusetts climb out of this recessive slump we have been in since 2007. So for the benefit of the state, I think voting yes for question 4 would be a smart idea. It is not the wrong time for Massachusetts, in fact this is the correct time.



[1] https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Marijuana_Legalization,_Question_4_(2016)
[2] https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Marijuana_Legalization,_Question_4_(2016), Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Massachusetts
[3] https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/10/04/should-marijuana-legalized-mass-both-sides-debate-question/Df2fonSUYVBHcctwwx3rdP/story.html
[4]https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/10/04/should-marijuana-legalized-mass-both-sides-debate-question/Df2fonSUYVBHcctwwx3rdP/story.html 

4 comments:

  1. Massachusetts is a commonwealth, not a state.

    The "state of Massachusetts" does not want to legalize marijuana, because otherwise the governor and state legislature would already have done so.
    The answer to your question, "what keeps getting in our way?" is "the institution of state government."

    It is the "people of Massachusetts" who keep putting the question on the ballot year after year.

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  2. I really like this post because I never thought of legalizing marijuana from an economic point of view. When it came to should it be legal should it be illegal i always just thought of why people didn't want it around or medical reasons for people wanting it to be legal. After it became legalized for medical marijuana i didn't put much thought into why else it should be legalized. But i believe you're right, it will create jobs and wealth and that is exactly what we need. Instead of just putting on the voting balled again i agree that it should just be legalized.

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  3. I agree 100% with this post because i never looked at selling marijuana as an economic power. I never thought it would increase our issue on money and give people more jobs in this feild. So going based off this i think it should be legal to help us in the economic aspect. Also i think having the rules set like being 21 just like the drinking age it should be legal.

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  4. There are other commercial activities which are illegal in the USA, but which other countries tax and regulate. Prostitution comes to mind. Do you feel there is an economic argument for legalizing them, as well?

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