How can we help?
There is a tremendous social impact of legalizing cannabis:
Reduced violent crimes – legalizing cannabis directly affects the illegal cannabis market by reducing the amount of money flowing to illegal operations and in turn reduces the violent crimes associated with the illegal cannabis trade including shootings and murders.
Reduced systemic racism – cannabis has long been used to further marginalize non-white populations, in effect criminalizing skin colour. Legalizing cannabis reduces the connection between cannabis and racism.
Reduced costs for the justice system – countries that make cannabis illegal spend more on their justice systems from police enforcement to running (usually already over-populated) jail and prisons.
Increased public safety – legalizing cannabis ensures a safe and secure cannabis supply from regulated and inspected facilities. Another social impact of legalizing cannabis is that it keeps cannabis out of the hands of our children.
Increased education – it is much, much easier to accept education around legal substances than illegal ones. Legalizing cannabis opens up a new dialogue with teens and children about responsible consumption as opposed to abstinence, which often does not work.
Increased public health – legalizing cannabis makes it easier to track use, benefits, side effects, and other factors related to better overall public health. Societies that can make informed decisions about anything that impacts public health tend to have better overall public health.
Increased medical treatment options – legalizing cannabis allows cannabis to be used as a replacement for other, much more serious drugs such as opioids. It also makes it easier to research cannabis treatments and make cannabis treatment more accessible to people who can benefit including children with epilepsy.
For more information:
https://cannabiz.media/the-social-impact-of-marijuana-legalization-in-the-united-states/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4968247/