Kaylin Davis

Professor Tashelle Wright

HLTH 1050
12 April 2024

International Connections Paper #2

The legalization of recreational marijuana in the US. has generated considerable

controversy and highlighted the complex socioeconomic and legal factors that interact
with marijuana policies. This essay examines the multifaceted progress of marijuana
legalization insights from experiences in Colorado and Washington—the first states to
legalize recreational marijuana. By examining the impact of legalization on a variety of
stakeholders, including industry, law enforcement, and the drug community, and the
challenges of conflicting state and federal laws on, this essay looks to provide a
comprehensive understanding of the changing landscape of marijuana law in the United
States.

The choices of Colorado and Washington to legalize recreational marijuana

marked a fundamental shift in marijuana policy, with proponents touting ability economic
benefits and state officials encouraging them expect widespread tax revenue from the sale
of marijuana, with expected annual revenues of $five million to $22 million in Colorado
and $2 every for five years Despite estimates of billions of greenbacks, medical
marijuana developing employment in those states, which generates $181 million yearly
and employs 4,200 humans, underscored the economic capability of full legalization.

Additionally, the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) predicted large

marketplace growth following legalization, citing the benefit of buying marijuana as
alcohol with a predicted 90% of marijuana customers not taking the drug role within the
scientific area, so there was extremely good capacity for enlargement within the
amusement marketplace.

In addition to economic consequences, legalization has created challenges for

marijuana drug cartels in the United States. A study by former U.S. a high-ranking
intelligence official did suggest that legalization could reduce cartel profits by up to $6
billion, reduce their illegal activities and disrupt the flow of drugs across borders These
changes to the market so provided the drug cartel authority, rights to law enforcement
and control.

However, conflicting state and federal laws have hampered the implementation of
statutory law. While state law allowed the recreational use and manufacture of marijuana,
it was in direct conflict with federal regulations making marijuana illegal Uncertainty
about state law enforcement role raised concerns among policymakers, and the
Department of Justice examined the implications of the state's legal provisions.
 In conclusion, the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado and
Washington marked a watershed moment in hashish coverage, with way-reaching
implications for diverse stakeholders. While heralded as a boon for tax sales and process
creation, legalization also posed demanding situations in reconciling nation and federal
legal guidelines. The studies of Colorado and Washington offer treasured insights into the
complexities of marijuana regulation and spotlight the need for collaborative efforts to
navigate the evolving landscape of hashish policy within the United States.
Works Cited

International Business Times. “Will US Marijuana Legalisation Help Smash the Mexican Drug
Cartels?” International Business Times, 8 Nov. 2012. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=403037.20121108&site=eds-
live&scope=site.

Wright, Tashelle. “Medical Marijuana.” Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT.

Wright, Tashelle. “The History of Marijuana.” Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City,
UT.

Watson, Stephanie. “Medical Marijuana: Benefits and Side Effects.” WebMD, WebMD,
www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/medical-marijuana-faq. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.

Flaccus, Gillian. “How the Global Market for Legal Marijuana Exploded in 2018.” PBS, Public
Broadcasting Service, 27 Dec. 2018, www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-the-global-
market-for-legal-marijuana-exploded-in-2018.