By most measures, cannabis legalization is a resounding success for the 24 states (plus D.C.) that have implemented it. That\u2019s why no state has ever repealed its legalization laws, and public support<\/a> for the policy remains near all-time highs.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, the policy still has its critics. Among them are the editors at the New York Times <\/i>who, in a recent editorial, opined<\/a> that states have rushed to legalize the substance \u201cwithout adequately regulating it.\u201d<\/p>\n In truth, however, state marijuana markets are highly<\/i> regulated \u2014 and many of the options they proposed are either redundant or would inadvertently strengthen the illicit marketplace.<\/p>\n For instance, the Times<\/i> claims that cannabis products aren\u2019t sufficiently taxed. But this is far from the truth. In fact, most states impose taxes<\/a> on cannabis products that far surpass those on alcohol<\/a>. In some states, consumers face a tax burden of nearly 40 percent on cannabis products \u2014 that is, if<\/i> they choose to pay it.<\/p>\n In many cases, excessive taxes steer consumers toward the unregulated<\/i> market. Higher taxes on legal cannabis will only amplify this trend, undermining the primary goal of legalization: to provide adults with safe, affordable, and legal access to lab-tested products.<\/p>\n The Times<\/i> editors also allege that \u201cBig Weed\u201d is pushing products designed to appeal to children by mimicking trademarked brands. This is wrong \u2014 the products highlighted by the Times<\/i> are exclusive to the unregulated<\/i> market.<\/p>\n Typically, these products are \u201chemp-derived\u201d intoxicants sold at gas stations and smoke shops in jurisdictions where cannabis remains illegal. (In legal jurisdiction, there\u2019s little demand<\/a> for these products.) They\u2019re not<\/i> available at state-licensed dispensaries, since most state-regulated markets explicitly prohibit<\/a> products that resemble existing brands or target underage people.<\/p>\n The Times<\/i> also warns that the legal industry is promoting uniquely potent products. But high-potency varieties of cannabis, like hashish, have always been available. And when consumers encounter higher strength cannabis, they typically consume less of it<\/a> \u2014 just like alcohol consumers will generally drink less liquor than beer.<\/p>\n Further, most state-legal markets already impose limits on potency or on the total amount of THC permissible per single serving. This trend speaks to one of the primary advantages<\/i> of legalization. It gives governments the ability to oversee the market, establish regulations and best practices, and sanction those who don\u2019t play by the rules.<\/p>\n Finally, the Times<\/i> cautions that a growing number of Americans acknowledge consuming cannabis products post-legalization. This is true.<\/p>\n However, the Times<\/i> neglects to highlight that this growth is exclusively<\/i> among adult consumers<\/a>. In fact, marijuana use by young people has fallen dramatically<\/i><\/a> during the past decade \u2014 overlapping with the adoption of state-level legalization \u2014 and is now at historic lows<\/a>.<\/p>\n Curiously, the Times<\/i> fixates on the fact that among some consumers, cannabis use is surpassing the use of alcohol. This is neither surprising nor troublesome. As more Americans have become aware of the significant health consequences<\/a> associated with alcohol, its consumption has fallen dramatically<\/a>.<\/p>\n Moreover, many scientific experts<\/a> \u2014 and even the Times<\/i> editors \u2014 acknowledge that marijuana \u201cis safer than alcohol,\u201d and many consumers have switched<\/a> for this very reason. That doesn\u2019t seem like such a bad thing.<\/p>\n There\u2019s one thing the Times<\/i> editors get right: they wisely acknowledge that America shouldn\u2019t return to the failed policy of \u201cheavy-handed criminal prohibition.\u201d<\/p>\n Prohibition is an unmitigated disaster that results annually in hundreds of thousands<\/a> of needless criminal arrests and disrupted lives. In fact, it\u2019s the failure of prohibition that ushered the modern push for cannabis legalization and regulation in the first place.<\/p>\n Today, some two-thirds<\/a> of the public support legalizing marijuana. That\u2019s because most Americans prefer regulation to criminal prohibition.<\/p>\n Has legalization\u2019s rollout been perfect? Of course not. Are there trade-offs that must be considered? Certainly. Should governments continue to adjust regulations as we learn more? Yes, indeed.<\/p>\n Cannabis re-legalization is a work in progress. But it\u2019s here to stay \u2014 and by and large, it\u2019s a process we\u2019re getting right.<\/p>\n The post What Critics Still Get Wrong About Marijuana Legalization<\/a> appeared first on OtherWords<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n
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