With our schools, roads, pension funds, unemployment and other state budget problems, Kentucky has never been more in need of a boost to our economy and our state budget coffers. Legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana will create jobs and produce tens of millions – if not more – in new revenue for our schools, roads and underfunded pension system.
Based on government reports, the estimated lost tax revenue for the nation each year is over $31 billion. It is estimated that over $112.9 billion of marijuana is purchased each year in the United States. If people legally purchased marijuana, we could appropriately tax it and produce billions in tax for local, state, and the federal government.
Without new taxes – which politicians and voters don’t support – Kentucky will continue to fall behind. Legalizing marijuana creates new revenue that can be dedicated – by law – to schools, building new roads and shoring up Kentucky’s unfunded pension liabilities.
It will be the opposite of casino gambling, where Kentuckians spend their money in every state around us that has what we don’t. Here, Kentucky will be a place where people from other states come and spend their money safely and legally.
Based on government reports, the estimated lost tax revenue for the nation each year is over $31 billion. It is estimated that over $112.9 billion of marijuana is purchased each year in the United States. If people legally purchased marijuana, we could appropriately tax it and produce billions in tax for local, state, and the federal government.
TOTAL
MARIJUANA
ARRESTS
Nationally, it is estimated that one person is arrested every 45 seconds for marijuana related offenses, with 80% of those arrests being for simple possession. Even though marijuana use has stayed about the same, possession arrests have risen over the last two decades. Since 1990, marijuana possession arrests have increased more than 193%. Currently, the arrest rate increases
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) did an investigation into the cost of criminalizing marijuana. They found that in 2010, Kentucky spent over $19Million enforcing marijuana possession laws. More than 300 respected economists endorse an estimation that the country would save $13.7 billion annually on marijuana prohibition enforcement costs if marijuana were legalized.
Recent reports show that other states have created thousands of new jobs. In Colorado, more than 10,000 new jobs were created for people directly involved with the marijuana industry in 2014. These jobs were directly related to the marijuana industry and involved with grow operations and dispensary operations. However, large numbers of collateral jobs are created too! These jobs include construction workers, electricians, tourism related jobs, real estate agents, lawyers, accountants, delivery and courier services, marketing, consultants, and more. In addition, state government jobs are created to handle the licensing programs and regulation of legalized marijuana sales.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in September 2015 that Colorado unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is lower than the national average and Kentucky.
Creating a new, legal crop and safe system of sales and distribution will create agriculture, business and tourism jobs from Paducah to Pikeville.
Everyone in Kentucky benefits from legalization: with no other sources of potential revenue, Kentucky’s schools, roads, and pension will continue to fall behind our neighbors.
The costs of criminalization eat up Judicial and law enforcement budgets in every county in the Commonwealth, money that should be spent on keeping real criminals off the streets.
Hundreds of millions of dollars could improve schools, roads and help Kentucky’s budget immediately, without any new taxes on people already paying too much in taxes.
Better schools and better roads leads to better jobs, and tourism and jobs associated directly with a new agriculture industry in Kentucky will help every part of the state, from Paducah to Pikeville, from London to Louisville.
Things are moving fast around the county and Kentucky needs to catch up. I’ve provided some updates on the changes in marijuana laws made in the November 8th election and, more importantly, what we need to do in Kentucky. The legislative session begins January 3 in Frankfort and we need to make our voices heard. You will be amazed…
While we were not able to get a bill passed this session, we made a lot of behind-the-scenes progress that will lay the groundwork for a successful effort next session! The keys to victory are twofold: education and voters contacting their legislators. To help advance the first piece, education, we are co-hosting the Southern Cannabis…
Watch Kentucky citizen Nichole Nimmo share her personal story. She discusses how marijuana helped her get off numerous pain pills after battling cancer and severe arthritis. Nichole also discusses how she believes our marijuana laws are outdated and punish those who should not be punished. Thank you, Nichole!! You have bravely shared your story and are…
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Senator Morgan McGarvey has introduced a medical cannabis bill (SB 304) that allows medical cannabis for hospice and end of life patients. This bill has a lot of support from both parties, but we need to make sure this important bill gets a chance for an actual vote. To do that, we need you…
UPDATE: SHIRTS SOLD OUT — We have new Legalize Kentucky Now t-shirts! We only printed up a limited number and each have text reading “First Run Limited Edition.” The first 100 people to donate $25 or more to our cause from now until the end of March will get a t-shirt. When you donate, just write…
We have had a few people ask us for a template when writing your representatives in Frankfort. we think that any way you contact them and let them know your opinion s great. If you need a little help finding the words, we have some suggestions. We think there are two ways to go about writing…
Legalize Kentucky Now has hired a lobbyist to help our efforts in Frankfort. Below is a statement from Mike Ward, our CEO: “We are excited to announce that we have retained Jason Underwood of Capitol Strategies to help us educate and advocate for this important cause in Frankfort during this session. Jason’s strategic and tactical…
There is an free online Cannabis Health Summit hosted by Green Flower taking place January 23-24. We encourage everyone who is interested to sign up here. They will have experts in the field talking about the science of Cannabis and how it interacts with our bodies. It will be very educational and help dispel many…
At times, understanding the status of marijuana across the country is daunting. With so many different levels of legalization, we’re left asking, “can’t we all just agree?” This month, officials in Minnesota brought us one step closer to consensus about which medical conditions should be treated with medical marijuana. The state has joined many others…
Although “legalize marijuana” is a concise slogan that accurately conveys the sentiment of sensible supporters everywhere, the reality isn’t quite so straightforward. As much as we might like it to be, marijuana is far from an “all or nothing” deal. Between recreational use, medical marijuana, and decriminalization, there are many different options for forward progress….