Washington state’s legal recreational marijuana system has been somewhat slow to get off the ground.
But a new study from the Brookings Institute argues that Washington’s careful, thoughtful, and calculated rollout of legalized marijuana will, in the long run, be the smartest approach.
The author of the study, Philip Wallach, says, “While Colorado is justifiably garnering headlines with its ambitiously rapid (and, in many respects, impressive) legalization rollout, there is a case to be made that Washington is undertaking the more radical and far-reaching reform.”
The study particularly applauds Washington for the research funding mechanisms built into the law. A portion of marijuana taxes will go to fund prevention and treatment efforts and researching the impact of marijuana legalization on children.
Furthermore, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy will conduct a long-term cost-benefit analysis of legalization – a study unprecedented in both its scope and duration.
Wallach’s study also comes with some concerns and recommendations for Washington’s future. Among his top concerns is keeping research free from political influence and bias.
Although in the short-term prices may be high and supply may be low, in the long-term Washington state is doing cannabis legalization the smart way – and paving the way for many other states to follow suit.
