The Quick Fix

One of the most intriguing ideas on how to fix the current Texas budget problem is to legalize marijuana. While this is considered a taboo subject today, there are other legal drugs that were once just as taboo. Alcohol, for example had its fair share of harsh light. Prohibition was a failed effort to try and stop its consumption; eventually government gave in to a changing society and once again legalized the sale of alcohol.  As long as there is demand, supply is bound to show up so why not make it a legal and regulated supply. Legalizing marijuana would be a good alternative to raising taxes or cutting funding to other programs. A $27 billion budget shortfall is hard to make up for, with cuts that are difficult to make and raising taxes politically taboo in Texas, the gap seems impossible to fill. Marijuana would offer a steady source of income, being subject to a sin tax just like alcohol and tobacco; we could raise revenues without raising taxes. If the state controlled every stage of the process from growth to the sale of the drug, it could lead to a much safer state overall. The production and sale of the drug would be heavily regulated, just as tobacco and alcohol are regulated, and would be much safer than it is today.  Texas would essentially have more control over the market, virtually eliminating foreign supply. When Prohibition ended and alcohol was once again legal, violence surrounding the smuggled commodity also disappeared.  The current market for marijuana mimics that of the market and demand for alcohol in the 1920s. In the 20s getting a drink was a dangerous and illegal act. With the market dominated by mob bosses like Al Capone, it was a very unstable and dangerous system.  If marijuana was made legal, these same changes could be expected. No longer would illegal drugs need to be smuggled across the border and controlled by dangerous organizations; we could expect to see gang and drug related violence slow in Texas.

Legalization of marijuana has worked in other areas. Amsterdam is famous for its coffee shops, places where marijuana can be purchased and smoked. However, Dutch laws make it illegal to sell alcohol and marijuana in the same location; I think a good thing to remember when working out problems with implementation.  If marijuana were legally treated just as alcohol is treated, it would make the transition much easier. There are many more difficult decisions that would need to be made to make the sale and regulation of legal marijuana much safer. But overall I think this is an “out of the box” approach to solving the budget crisis and it is one solution that deserves some serious consideration.