When Donald Trump took office in January 2017, we knew we were up for a rocky year. Despite the constant political turmoil, fake news and deep divide between the right and left, eight states knew exactly what could bind (some) Americans together. All across the country, states such as Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, as well as Washington D.C., have voted to legalize recreational marijuana.
State legislators thought, as I often do, that just maybe, weed could be the answer. As a result of these weed-friendly policies, not only is the newly legalized substance treating the high levels of anxiety that the public might experience from having a radically prejudice president in office, but it has helped lower crime rates, and has stimulated state economies.
According to Marijuana Business Daily, the new industry has created between 100,000 and 150,000 cannabis-related jobs in 2017. By 2020, New Frontier Data estimated employment within the industry may reach nearly 300,000 new jobs.
Whether Trump wants to admit it or not, I predict that the legalization of and high taxation on all marijuana products on a federal level might just provide the economic stimulation America needs.
In order to serve the economic boost he so humbly promised, Trump does not have to build his racist, xenophobic wall, or force American companies to reopen abandoned factories on American soil, despite the cheaper costs of operation abroad. And the government may not have to impose tariffs or force companies to stop outsourcing. They can instead, legalize and save money by stopping the felony marijuana drug charges that have plagued the pockets and ripped the families apart of marginalized communities since the 80s.
Maybe, just maybe, we can lower the deficit and uncrowd our prisons by federally legalizing marijuana in all 50 states.
Nonetheless, all of this begs the question: in 2018, will it happen though?
Probably not.
In the meantime, raise your joints, take a hit, and in 2018, vote to legalize it here in New Jersey.
Photo Courtesy of American Studies Media Culture Program
BY: Sury Kotliar