Effects of legalized cannabis

A sign supporting marijuana legalization at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza in Eugene, Oregon

Cannabis is a legal recreational and medical drug in several countries and US states and there have been several effects of the drug being legalized.

Region

United States

A 2017 study found that the introduction of medical marijuana laws caused a reduction in violent crime in Americans states that border Mexico: "The reduction in crime is strongest for countries close to the border (less than 350km), and for crimes that relate to drug trafficking. In addition, we find that MMLs in inland states lead to a reduction in crime in the nearest border state. Our results are consistent with the theory that decriminalization of the production and distribution of marijuana leads to a reduction in violent crime in markets that are traditionally controlled by Mexican drug trafficking organisations."[1]

Colorado

In Colorado, effects since 2014 include increased state revenues,[2] violent crime decreased,[3][4] an increase in homeless population,[5] one Colorado hospital has received a 15% increase in babies born with THC in their blood.[6]

Between 2011 and 2014, there was a 6.5% increase in the population of Colorado. Many attribute this increase to the legalization of marijuana. The development of new homes has not been able to keep up with the influx of people. This has resulted in soaring rent costs and home values. Between the rising cost of living, stagnant wages, and an extremely competitive job market, Colorado is seeing a drastic increase in the homeless population.

Since legalization, public health and law enforcement officials in Colorado have grappled with a number of issues, serving as a model for policy problems that come with legalization. Marijuana-related hospital visits have nearly doubled between 2011, prior to legalization, and 2014.[7] Top public health administrators in Colorado have cited the increased potency of today's infused products, often referred to as "edibles", as a cause for concern. They have also highlighted the risk that edibles pose to children, as they are often undistinguishable from ordinary foods once they are removed from their packaging.[8] Youth usage has also been a major aspect of the debate surrounding marijuana legalization and a concern for state officials. Overall youth usage rates have increased, although not enough to be deemed statistically significant.[9] Looking at students in the eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades, a survey study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that usage rates had not increased among any of the different age groups in Colorado, although statistically significant increases in usage rates amongst eighth and tenth graders were reported in Washington.[10]

Oregon

Oregon legalized Cannabis in November 2014. Effects have included an increase in cannabis-related calls to the Oregon state poison center,[11] an increase in perception among youth that Marijuana use is harmful,[11] a decrease in arrest rates for cannabis related offenses,[11] stores sold $250 million in cannabis products which resulted in $70 million in state tax revenue (higher than a predicted $36 million in revenue),[12] 10% decrease in violent crime, and 13% drop in murder rate.[12]

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. legalized Cannabis in 2015. Cannabis possession arrests decreased 98% from 2014 to 2015 and all cannabis offenses dropped by 85%.[13]

Uruguay

Effects of Cannabis legalization in Uruguay since 2013 include other countries in the region loosening laws concerning cannabis and lower costs of illegal cannabis.[14] the percentage of female prisoners has fallen.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gavrilova, Evelina; Kamada, Takuma; Zoutman, Floris. "Is Legal Pot Crippling Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations? The Effect of Medical Marijuana Laws on US Crime". The Economic Journal: n/a–n/a. doi:10.1111/ecoj.12521. ISSN 1468-0297.
  2. ↑ "The Unexpected Side Effects of Legalizing Weed". 6 June 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  3. ↑ Reporter, Matt Ferner National; Post, The Huffington (17 July 2014). "If Legal Marijuana Was Supposed To Cause More Crime, It's Not Doing A Very Good Job". Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "After 5 Months of Sales, Colorado Sees the Downside of a Legal High". The New York Times. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  5. ↑ Gurman, Sadie (24 December 2014). "Why legal marijuana swells Denver's homeless population". Retrieved 29 October 2016 – via Christian Science Monitor.
  6. ↑ http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-pot-vote/
  7. ↑ "The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact" (PDF). Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
  8. ↑ Miller, Joshua (February 22, 2016). "From Colorado: Glimpse of Life After Marijuana". Boston Globe.
  9. ↑ Ingraham, Christopher (2016-10-13). "Here's how legal pot changed Colorado and Washington". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
  10. ↑ Cerdá, Magdalena; Wall, Melanie; Feng, Tianshu; Keyes, Katherine M.; Sarvet, Aaron; Schulenberg, John; O’Malley, Patrick M.; Pacula, Rosalie Liccardo; Galea, Sandro (2017-02-01). "Association of State Recreational Marijuana Laws With Adolescent Marijuana Use". JAMA Pediatrics. 171 (2): 142–149. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.3624. ISSN 2168-6203.
  11. 1 2 3 https://public.health.oregon.gov/PreventionWellness/marijuana/Documents/oha-8509-marijuana-report.pdf
  12. 1 2 Swanberg, Conor (7 July 2015). "One Year Later, Here Are the Effects Legalizing Marijuana Has Had in Washington State". Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  13. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-opinions-are-local/wp/2016/02/25/on-d-c-s-one-year-anniversary-with-legalized-marijuana-work-remains/
  14. ↑ "Uruguay's Year In Marijuana: 3 Successes, 3 Burning Questions - NBC News". Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  15. ↑ "Uruguay marijuana legalization one year later". Retrieved 29 October 2016.
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