How long do you think the states that haven't legalized weed have ?

@ImJack it's not legal in the US either. At the federal level it is still illegal. They're choosing to keep the law on the books but not enforce it.

@SooperSarah But it is legal in many states. Remember alcohol used to be illegal as well, eventually things will change.

@ImJack the states can say it's legal, but federal law trumps state law. Technically the federal government could shut down every weed shop in the country. But, like I said, they're choosing not to.

@SooperSarah The huge easy Tax Revenue and the fact that there is a lot of investment and money to be made in growing cannabis might be a reason why.

States that have legalized marijuana for adult use have collectively generated nearly $8 billion in tax revenue from cannabis since legal sales first began in 2014, according to a new report from the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP).25 May 2021

Pharma business is all over it.

@ImJack I'm not trying to justify why it is or isn't legal. I'm simply telling you that at the federal level it is still illegal.
The government legalizing and taxing it will most definitely lead to the black market flourishing. It's now legal to have and you can avoid the government tax... people will definitely avoid that tax by getting it elsewhere.
As for that revenue. A study in Colorado showed that marijuana costs tax payers $4.50 for every $1 it generates.

@SooperSarah From Fobes: Since 2012, when voters in Colorado passed Amendment 64 and legalized the first adult-use, recreational marijuana market in the U.S., the state has surpassed $10 billion in total sales. This not only represents a massive success and proof-of-concept for the future of the American cannabis industry, it also accounts for billions in tax revenues for the state of Colorado.

Therefore $45 billion in costs to tax payers would make a huge hold in state finances and be unworkable in reality

Most consumers would rather buy legally even if a product is taxed rather than fund crime, risk prosecution and risk harmful containments in their weed.

Most consumers, not all, buy highly taxed alcohol and tobacco products without ever considering the black market.

I am sure in legal sales states some people do risk the black market, but the tax income suggests otherwise.

@ImJack yes this! Pharma is afraid of it cause it replaces many meds with 1000s of side effects but a higher pay out

@ImJack [quote] Most consumers would rather buy legally even if a product is taxed rather than fund crime, risk prosecution and risk harmful containments in their weed. [/quote]

The problem with this statement is that this is exactly what they've been doing for years. It's pretty easy to just keep doing what I've been doing and go to "my guy" instead of paying a bunch of new taxes.

@SooperSarah ik plenty Of people in legal states who buy from dispensary now that it's legal. They had no issues switching.

@SooperSarah Long term users are not the new users. It was same when prohibition ended, some still liked their hooch and moonshine, but most went legal. And in 2021 who goes to their local black market supplier for drink?

@ImJack
[quote]Remember alcohol used to be illegal as well, [/quote]

That was an oddity; it was legal, then made illegal, nationally, then made legal again. The effect of the prohibition was to get women drinking.