I – 502 A Risky Proposition

Some say Initiative 502 would generate much-needed revenue for the state of Washington by taxing marijuana.

   If it sounds too good to be true, it is!

When studying a similar failed initiative in California, Dr. Pacula, an expert with the RAND Corporation who has studied the economics of drug policy for more than 15 years, explained that prohibition raises the cost of marijuana production by at least 400% while legalization would drop the price of marijuana considerably. This drop would mean a substantially smaller tax benefit than currently anticipated.

To illustrate the flawed theory that taxing marijuana would bring economic relief to the state, let’s look at how that model has worked for us in regards to alcohol and tobacco.

Taxes on alcohol sales generate approximately $14.5 billion and the United States spends approximately $185 billion on alcohol-related problems. Similarly, each year the country spends $200 billion on tobacco-related problems but brings in a mere 12% of those costs by taxing the sale of tobacco products. Without a model to tell us otherwise, we can expect the same outcomes from taxing marijuana.

Legalization will increase accessibility and use of marijuana, which will compound the problems already associated with drug use such as increased crime, addiction, loss of workplace productivity and increased health care costs.

Washington cannot afford the price tag of marijuana legalization!

Vote NO on Initiative 502!