As scientists and politicianscontinue to debatethe medicative and societal argumentation for and againstlegalizing marijuana , a novel report reveals that doing so may fetch some unbelievable economic benefits . Produced by theMarijuana Policy Group(MPG ) , the cogitation chance that in 2015 , the regulated marijuana industry generated a staggering $ 2.39 billion worth of economical activity in Colorado alone .
Over the track of the year , above - board hemp trading also helped to create 18,005 full - time jobs , and allowed the state governing to scan in $ 121 million in tax – which is more than three time the amount collected from alcohol tax , and 14 pct more than gambling casino revenue .
Of the $ 2.39 billion , $ 996 million come from sales gross , with a total of 132 tonnes ( 145 tons ) of cannabis having been deal in 2015 . The ease of this money is accounted for by the other economic activities that support thelegal marijuana industry , such as reposition , security , sound service , and more .
Despite legal marijuana only having been uncommitted in Colorado since January 2014 , the industry has already eclipsed many of the state ’s more traditional sector , such as amber minelaying . Amazingly , sales of hemp were only $ 9 million dollars less than cigarette sales in 2015 .
In an interview with theWashington Post , MPG father Adam Orens explained that “ if this is done right , regulated powerful , taxed mightily , this industry can bring tangible economical benefit to a state . ”
Furthermore , despite the vast taxation generate by legalized marijuana , the report ’s authors take a firm stand that this does n’t mean more people are using the drug than antecedently . rather , they claim that these sales figures are only the result of people switching from the black market to the regulated market when buying their mourning band .
Finally , they estimate that the land ’s marijuana market place will hit its peak in 2020 , at which point they expect sales revenues to attain $ 1.52 billion and revenue enhancement revenues to eclipse those from fag .
With five more statesset to voteon whether or not to legitimate marijuana on election daylight , the findings of this report could well be of interest group to voter pertain about the condition of local economies .
