By Blake Robinett
November 15, 2018
The world was recently changed when Canada legalized recreational marijuana on October 17, 2018. This was a historic day in history as Canada is now the first major country to have legalized nationwide. Whether or not this was the right decision is debatable, but there will now undoubtedly be significant effects on Canada and the world abroad. While it’s still too early to tell if Canada’s legalization will prove successful, it’s interesting to consider what may happen if it succeeds. Theoretically, the rest of the world will quickly follow Canada’s lead in hopes of finding similar success.
The United States, for example, has already taken small steps in the same direction. Colorado voted to legalize marijuana on November 6, 2012 when citizens voted for Amendment 64, becoming the first state to do so. Since then, Colorado’s economy has seen a positive increase. In Pueblo County, CO, despite some negatives, the county had a net gain of $35 million. In general, legalization has been very good to Colorado. According to Colorado.gov, over the last four years state tax collection has brought in more and more revenue, up to $247,368,473 in 2017.
With numbers like these, it’s easy to see how legalization could positively affect the larger economies of Canada and other countries. Canada’s government could potentially bring in $960 million in tax revenue. Such a boost to the economy would greatly benefit Canada as whole. This may become a reality for Canada, and for other countries, such as the United States that have already begun testing legalization; this may lead to very quick legislation of similar affect. The US has slowly begun legalizing medicinal and recreational use in varying states across the country. In 33 states, medical marijuana is now legal and recreational use is legal in 10 of these. The map below shows these states.
These states could be the first to enter a new reality in which marijuana is completely legal anywhere. The US would likely benefit financially from legalization, but of course with every good thing there is a downside.
Imagine marijuana is legalized nationwide. Weed would eventually become a part of everyday life. Anyone from a stranger on the street, to a neighbor, to a close friend could one day become an active user of marijuana. If the US follows in Canada’s footsteps, one could very soon be able to buy it from the corner store. It may be difficult to imagine, but this is the direction the US is heading. Canada’s potential success could lead to a world in which marijuana would become normal on college campuses even. It’s far fetched, but it could happen. More than likely, a university such as SBU would create and implement new rules to regulate marijuana. As students, we may one day become directly affected, for better or for worse, by the change Canada has set in motion. The future is difficult to predict and the possibilities are endless. It’s wise to be mindful of the ever changing world. We shall see what the future holds.
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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Infuse Student Media or Southwest Baptist University.
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