BUSINESS CONSEQUENCES

Legalization is net loser for state budgets because the collateral consequences create new burdens on state resources.

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• A 2019 study reveal that in Colorado, for every $1 of tax revenue received from recreational marijuana, the state spends $4.50 counteracting legalization’s effects. 

 

 

Legalization will allow “Big Marijuana” to set up shop in Minnesota, an industry that has been proven to operate like “Big Tobacco”, except with a more potent and harmful product.

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• Let’s get clear on what today’s recreational marijuana truly is— what was once a natural plant is now extracted, manipulated, and concentrated into substances that are highly addictive and dangerous to individuals, families, workplaces, and roadways. 
   

• THC concentration in marijuana products has increased dramatically in the past ten years. The average marijuana plant was found to contain upwards of 17% THC in 2017, up from under 9% in 2008. Pot edibles, candies, cookies, ice creams, and waxes have been found to contain up to 99% THC.  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00406-019-00983-5#citeas
   

• A majority of marijuana products are advertised to have >15% THC, regardless of medical or recreational programs, which may be detrimental for medical purposes. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0230167
   

The push for legalization of recreational marijuana is being fueled by an industry whose profits are derived by the creation addicts and the exploitation of addiction. 
 

• Legalization will allow a new addiction-based industry to operate legally in our state. Recreational marijuana is a commercial product that is only financially successful if it can create more addicts.
   

• Marijuana legalization gives a small group of privileged investors permission to profit from addiction and human degradation. The marijuana industry is seeing increased investment from existing giants of addiction such as Anheiser-Busch (Big Alcohol) and Philip Morris (Big Tobacco).