The creation of new industries will lead to more available jobs, lower unemployment, less prison overcrowding, lower overhead, and higher revenue.
Why is this important?
As it stands criminals profit from all black market trade and are often times caught on tax evasion charges. The creation of new taxable industries on products that are already in circulation only makes sense. Money is being siphoned into imprisoning people for addiction rather than getting them the psychological attention their disease needs.
The compassionate, pragmatic, sensible move is to legalize marijuana, tax it, and watch as a new industry drags us out of economic hardship. This would not only create a large amount of jobs but it would secure a new revenue stream. It would also reduce existing overhead as the failed war on drugs would no longer monopolize so much money limiting other possible outlets for expenditure. Think of the extra money for education and infrastructure; brighter children and better bridges. Think of the impact of how our government is viewed; getting people treatment, help, for their addiction instead of treating them like villains. What is wrong with a little compassion?
It certainly seems that creating this new industry would have the potential to change our social, and economic, situation for the better.
