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Up to $33 million in new state revenues and cost savings could be generated by a system of taxation and regulation to replace prohibition of marijuana in Hawaii, according to a study released today.
University of Hawaii West Oahu Economist Lawrence W. Boyd concludes that ending law enforcement control of marijuana distribution would save the $10 million spent by police and the courts each year to enforce existing marijuana laws. Instituting a system of taxes and regulations similar to that for alcoholic beverages would create both savings and new revenues of up to $23 million annually.
Boyd's analysis also shows that the $10 million spent in enforcement has failed to reduce the availability of marijuana in Hawaii. Moreover, marijuana prices have dropped, indicating efforts to restrict supply through law enforcement have failed. About 65 percent of marijuana cases are dismissed, not prosecuted, or stricken, making the risk of arrest or punishment for marijuana use low, according to the study.
The full study, sponsored by the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, is available online at Drug Policy Forum of Hawai'i .
The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii is a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 to encourage the development of effective drug policies that minimize economic, social and human costs, and to promote the consideration of pragmatic approaches to drug policy.
Source: The Honolulu Advertiser
Copyright: 2007 The Honolulu Advertiser
Website: https://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/
University of Hawaii West Oahu Economist Lawrence W. Boyd concludes that ending law enforcement control of marijuana distribution would save the $10 million spent by police and the courts each year to enforce existing marijuana laws. Instituting a system of taxes and regulations similar to that for alcoholic beverages would create both savings and new revenues of up to $23 million annually.
Boyd's analysis also shows that the $10 million spent in enforcement has failed to reduce the availability of marijuana in Hawaii. Moreover, marijuana prices have dropped, indicating efforts to restrict supply through law enforcement have failed. About 65 percent of marijuana cases are dismissed, not prosecuted, or stricken, making the risk of arrest or punishment for marijuana use low, according to the study.
The full study, sponsored by the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, is available online at Drug Policy Forum of Hawai'i .
The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii is a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 to encourage the development of effective drug policies that minimize economic, social and human costs, and to promote the consideration of pragmatic approaches to drug policy.
Source: The Honolulu Advertiser
Copyright: 2007 The Honolulu Advertiser
Website: https://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/
