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State legislators are more likely to legalize the recreational drug in their upcoming sessions, and it may turn out to be a big deal.
For years, legislators have joined major states and legislative pot and go back and forth over potential tax breaks for Hawaii. The Democratic Party has listed empowerment among its top priorities.
But last week, Democratic Rep. Ryan Yamane, who is part of the health committee, played down high hopes for the long-delayed recreational weed and math.
Yamane told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s “Spotlight Hawaii” that the estimated $50 million in tax revenue from gambling in our small state would not cover operating costs and would be too small for some. other topics.
“No amount of $50 million can be paid,” he said. “So … this huge windfall is not going to be able to pay for education or health services.”
Marijuana advocates disagree and estimate the tax revenue to be something like $80 million, which is still pretty cool. Little is left after paying administrative costs, educating the public, and affecting health and society.
It’s not that we don’t think about enforcing the law, but we do agree that the proceeds are laundered, at best, and take into account health and social concerns and the potential for abuse.
Recreational drugs have been legalized in Hawaii for six years, since the Legislature established the state’s prescription drug program.
Medical marijuana is primarily for patients with serious diseases such as cancer, lupus, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and rheumatoid arthritis.
But lawmakers opened it up by also allowing it to be used for conditions like pain, nausea and muscle cramps — symptoms that people can say they have, and the challenge is tough.
With these simple rules, almost anyone willing to invest $250 a year for a short health report and a state card can buy marijuana at state-licensed dispensaries and use it anyway. they want. There are provisions for tourists.
Despite the simple rules, the medical concept is dark.
Annual tax revenue is only $2.5 million, which is not surprising because the government can’t claim that it’s a cure and tax “sin” on it.
Meanwhile, dispensaries are complaining about high prices from government regulations that make their weed more expensive than the ever-growing illegal market, which has dramatically reduced sales.
Legalizing recreational drugs will not solve the problem.
Sales increased, but so did taxes, and prices from illegal sellers on the black market, which for years Hawaii and other states have been unable to control despite millions in orders .
The industry cannot argue that legalizing marijuana will be effective in reducing pressure on the criminal justice system, then demand that the black market be eliminated which further burdens the system.
The issue has been slow because Gov. David Ige opposes legalized pot, but Lt. Gov. Josh Green, the Democratic candidate to replace Ige, favors legalization.
Whatever the election between Green and Republican James “Duke” Aiona, who opposes legalization, should go smoothly and build peace from the pharmaceutical industry.
Reach David Shapiro at volcanicash@gmail.com.
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