{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"The Story","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"A November 2020 ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/3rqG7o0"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"Gallup poll","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" says 68% of Americans support legalizing marijuana, the highest level since the survey started asking in 1969. And last week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/3BpsCd3"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"proposed legislation","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" to decriminalize it nationwide. Whether US lawmakers can unite on a broad legalization package remains hazy, but one thing is clear: it has a big impact on the economy.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Isn't it already legal in some places?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Yes. But exact rules vary by state. Think of it as a legalization spectrum. There's...","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Decriminalization: ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"That means – in the 27 states and the District of Columbia where marijuana has been decriminalized – possession of a small amount is now considered a minor offense. Read: you won't go to jail. But you could still face some fines or penalties.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Medical legalization: ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Doctors can recommend medical marijuana to treat certain conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or PTSD. Then you’d be eligible for a medical card that lets you buy marijuana from a dispensary. Currently, medical marijuana use is legal in 37 states and DC. ","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Recreational legalization:","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" This means zero gov-enforced penalties for using or possessing a certain amount of marijuana. In some cases, it also means you’re allowed to grow and sell it. In the November 2020 election, four states voted to legalize recreational marijuana – bringing the pro-green total to 18 states and DC.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"}],"nodeType":"unordered-list"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"And what does this have to do with money?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"It can help with...","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Funding gov programs.","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" In 2020, Washington (one of the first states to legalize recreational use) collected over $600 million in marijuana tax revenue. That extra money helps bolster state-funded social equity programs for education, research, healthcare, and more. States can also save money by not enforcing anti-marijuana laws, which ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/3rAwnrC"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"reportedly","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" cost the gov about $3.6 billion a year.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Job creation.","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" Legalizing an entire industry can add jobs. Think: lab technicians, marketing pros, and sales execs. ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/3eK14p5"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"One report","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" showed that Massachusetts added more than 10,000 jobs in its first year after legalizing recreational marijuana. And experts say job growth is key for a post-pandemic economic recovery. ","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"More investment options. ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Investors hoping to get in on the rapidly growing industry have limited options today. But getting the *green* light from the gov could lead to more marijuana companies going legit...and going public.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Expanded health coverage.","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" Making marijuana more legally accessible could prompt insurance companies to cover it and help reduce costs for those who rely on it to treat a medical condition. ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/3rqVZXR"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"On average","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":", a medical marijuana card can cost up to $200 per year, though it varies by state. And a monthly supply of marijuana can cost hundreds of dollars. Right now, that's all out of pocket.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Closing the ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.theskimm.com/money/women-fighting-the-racial-wealth-gap-2MyjPbYNQEvTyuVFY0KUmy"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"},{"type":"underline"}],"value":"racial wealth gap","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":". ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"America's “War on Drugs” (with its gov-funded anti-drug campaigns) made incarceration rates skyrocket over the past few decades, particularly within the BIPOC community. A Black person is almost ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/3rAwnrC"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"four times","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" more likely than a white person to be arrested for marijuana possession nationwide, according to the ACLU. That's despite studies showing that Americans use marijuana at roughly the ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.aclu.org/report/report-war-marijuana-black-and-white?redirect=criminal-law-reform/war-marijuana-black-and-white"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"same rate","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" regardless of race. These convictions can get in the way of securing and maintaining employment and housing – aka ways to build wealth.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"}],"nodeType":"unordered-list"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"What's the argument against legalizing?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Lawmakers against legalization say it's mostly because of health and safety uncertainties. The ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/2TxqAGG"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"CDC says","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" negative short- and long-term effects on brain development (read: causing problems with memory, attention, and learning) are a possibility, especially for chronic teenage users. Some are concerned about a potential increase in driving under the influence. Others have coined it as a gateway drug that could become addictive or lead to the use of heavier substances.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"theSkimm","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Whether marijuana will be legalized at the federal level isn't a new debate. And it's still up in smoke the air. Understanding how it could impact the economy – and maybe even your bottom line – can help you decide where you stand on the issue.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{"target":{"sys":{"id":"3QIYPfXyh6uZJHfYTk6aFk","type":"Link","linkType":"Entry"}}},"content":[],"nodeType":"embedded-entry-block"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"document"}