The state of Oregon should legalize marijuana and open up the market to a wealth of opportunities for the residents of this state. It’s time for residents, the media and politicians around the state to push the envelope on the issue. It’s time to bring the conversation into the mainstream.
State officials, including the attorney general’s office and state treasurer should begin work on putting together a realistic plan to create legislation to legalize and regulate both marijuana and hemp. It’s that simple.
Both Washington and Colorado are set to gain more than $70 million dollars annually in tax revenue from marijuana for a range of public safety, education, housing and drug treatment measures.
The move will also save the state millions of dollars in local and state government spending on public safety measures and prison costs, while opening up hundreds of millions of dollars to a new and emerging business community. Combating organized crime and harmful agricultural practices in our state’s forests is icing on the cake.
For nearly two decades elected officials have talked about and campaigned on the need for more revenue statewide and an overhaul of a burdensome and chaotic tax structure in Salem. It may be another two decades before any kind of reform is even possible.
Street Roots believes that the people of Oregon would not be opposed to a smart and effective policy, especially if it was geared towards improving the quality of life for all Oregonians.
We look to leaders around Oregon to show courage and to be bold, and to follow in the footsteps of other states and countries around the world that understand decriminliazation is smart and effective policy.
There’s no better time than the present.