Written by: Christina Sanchez Rodriguez
CEO of Dona Jane
Just as the COVID-19 virus spreads, so does the acceptance of making marijuana legal. While as a generation we have accepted legal recreational use or marijuana, only with our millennial voting power will we be able to expand our societal freedom. Just like many millennials, I am a mother and the owner of my successful business, a CBD company called Dona Jane. I have made it my professional goal to understand the benefits of these plants and I am relieved to know that my generation will legalize marijuana.
It’s wrong, and we will vote to make it right!
The United States only compromises 5% of the world’s population, but 25% of the world’s prisoners (13th Amendment Documentary). 40% of that population have been incarcerated in jail or prison for a plant that is now legal in 11 states and medicinally in 33 states (pewresearch.org). As it takes $20,000 to educate a child, and $40,000 to imprison a person. The so-called “War on Drugs” has massively failed and as millennials, we can see through the bull. From its dangers and economic effects, we were misled. You shouldn’t serve decades of prison time for a plant in a neighboring state like Colorado where cannabis is legal. As economic innovators, millennials are ready to spin marijuana into a massive medical and economic success.
Mr. J.B. Pritzker.
The Governor of Illinois, Mr. J.B. Pritzker, made marijuana legalization one of his core campaign promises, and millennials made a difference by voting him into office. In recent years, there has been a massive boost in millennial civic participation. From first time millennial voters to millennial political candidates, our agenda is arriving in every fiber of society as we are starting to unite our voices in numbers. We have the largest economic purchasing power, and as the number of voting millennials is steadily increasing, it’s only a matter of time until we make things right.
Millennials are currently the ones who consume the most cannabis nationwide (Statista.com). Nationally marijuana would be a positive impact for many Americans facing anxiety, depression, acne, insomnia, epilepsy, heart disease, PTSD, and much more (HealthEuropa.eu). All the different cannabinoids and natural components of the cannabis plant are harmless and positively beneficial to humans, pets and our mother-earth. Cannabis can be infused in many ways such as tincture oils, edibles, concentrates, topical ointments, and beauty essentials.
California was the first U.S state to legalize cannabis, California’s estimated revenue is 3.1 billion dollars in 2019(npr.org). While being affected globally with the COVID-19 virus, our nation’s economy has halted causing many Americans to be unemployed. Legalizing marijuana can create jobs while boosting our nation’s economy. Cannabis will generate $8.7 billion in federal and state tax revenue per year (factretriever.com). Federal cannabis taxes could add much needed revenue to education, environment, human services and healthcare coffers.
Keeping marijuana illegal during this crisis is a crisis unto itself. It’s only a matter of time until millennials legalize it. Let people enjoy its benefits, and watch the economy boom!
