Considering legalizing pot in Idaho is a wise choice
This past weekend, MJ’s Pot Shop opened as Pullman’s first marijuana retail store. With legal marijuana such a short drive away from University of Idaho campus, it is time to consider what legalizing marijuana in Idaho would do for the state.
Emily Lowe
The issue of legalizing pot is a hot topic of discussion in many states. Potential problems with illegal pot use are a concern for Idaho, since the state is located so close to Washington. Hypothetically, if Idaho used the same rules Washington currently uses on the sale of recreational marijuana, it would see great results.
First off, not just anyone in Washington is able to smoke weed. Almost the same rules would apply for marijuana use that regulates alcohol consumption. In Washington, 21 years is the age one must be to legally buy and use pot. This is nothing new for many of us who are used to the regulations surrounding alcohol.
Speaking of alcohol, one should compare outlawing the use of marijuana to Prohibition. During Prohibition, alcohol was made illegal. So instead of the intended outcome of no one drinking anymore, people went to speakeasies and illegally consumed alcohol. The same thing is happening with marijuana, since people are using it illegally — regardless of laws and regulations.
The money used to illegally buy marijuana is having a negative impact on our economy. Washington has only legalized marijuana fairly recently, and Colorado legalized it at the beginning of this year.
Although both states haven’t had much time to explore this new concept, marijuana sales topped $14 million in the first month of it being legalized in Colorado. These numbers have positively expanded their economy. Something much of the nation is lacking, especially Idaho.
According to an article by ABC, the extra money made from taxing marijuana sales in Colorado is actually being put toward education. It is no surprise that many of the school districts in Idaho are in dire need for funding. Legalizing marijuana would not only provide our economy with more money, it would allow us to finally provide a better education that students deserve.
Deciding to legalize marijuana in Idaho would also reduce a large percentage of crime. In an MSNBC report, Washington police reported that misdemeanors involving marijuana against adults went from 5,531 in 2012 to only 120 last year.
Instead of people going outside of the state to give a different state’s economy more money for a legal product, Idaho should legalize it. This would not only lower their crime rates, but also make more money for the economy.
A Gallup poll found that 58 percent of Americans think marijuana should be legal and 14 percent of Americans use marijuana for recreational purposes. With popular support, economic incentives and a chance to reduce crime, it seems logical for Idaho to legalize marijuana use.
Emily Lowe can be reached at [email protected]