Is Pot Good Politics?
Wisconsin Grapples with Marijuana Policy
Last month, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law a bill that made recreational use of marijuana legal. Liberals had been advocating for this bill for some time and there was even a party in Minnesota geared specifically to the cause, the “Legal Marijuana Now” party.1 Minnesota legalizing pot now leaves Wisconsin surrounded by other states that have already done so.
There are several reasons Wisconsin has not passed such legislation. As Republican gerrymanders in the state have secured near supermajorities in the state, the GOP run legislature has had no incentive to even consider such bills. As evidenced by legalization of pot in other states, marijuana use also tends to result in a decline in the use of one of Wisconsin’s largest cash cows, beer, and tends to get less people going to taverns, The Wisconsin Tavern League being one of the biggest lobbies in the state. The result: Wisconsin in an island in a green ocean.
Democrats in the state see this as a political winner for them. Wisconsin Democratic Chair Ben Wikler2 has been an advocate, hoping it brings in more young voters and enhances turnout in Milwaukee and in college towns. I’m less bullish on this particular issue being the main impetus for youth voting and turnout (I think reproductive rights and voting rights/eliminating the gerrymander are far more motivating) but I also won’t deny this leads into that somewhat. My question is, for Wisconsin at least, is it good politics?
The Pros
The biggest benefit to legalizing marijuana is that it cashes in on the green revolution sweeping the country when it comes to pot, from growing it, to distributing it to purchasing it. The Marijuana economy is one of the fastest growing sectors in business and Wisconsin is missing out big time.
The health and medical benefits of cannabis are documented. Both infrequent and daily cannabis use can, relieve pain, reduce nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, promote sleep in people with chronic pain, and improve mood and quality of life in people with health conditions. Ongoing research is focused on other potential health benefits of cannabis, such as its ability to help with cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and autism, as well as neurodegenerative diseases and many more. In contrast, there are very few health benefits of alcohol. These benefits are all related to cardiovascular health, and benefits are greatest when alcohol is consumed in moderation (about one drink per day). The problem is in Wiscosin, drinks seldom stop at one.
Likewise, the state misses out on vice taxes associated with marijuana. Like all legal vices, drugs can be heavily taxed, and the burden falls on the purchaser, making it one of the more fairer taxes out there. Money for marijuana in other states go to everything from affordably housing, to schools, to funding police officers.
The Cons
Compared to other states, Wisconsin has a few more considerations that throw a wrench into legalizing pot.
For starters, as previously mentioned, beer and alcohol are one of the biggest cash cows of the state. Nineteen of the top twenty counties in the country in taverns per capita are within the state of Wisconsin and taverns are the most numerous of small businesses in the state. From what we have seen in other states, legalization of pot tends to lead to a relative decrease in alcohol consumption, costing the state revenue in one of its prime business sectors.
Added to that, taverns are the biggest employers of people aged 18 to 30 in the state. As much as this age group are the prime supporters of legalized marijuana, they may be shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to employment in that regard. Encouraging a policy that leads to greater unemployment isn’t necessarily a sound policy position. Legalizing pot may damage Wisconsin economically.
People have also tended to ignore the social ills associated with marijuana legalization. Since Colorado first legalized pot through 202134, the state noted they saw:
An increase in traffic fatalities of 29%.
An exceptionally large spike in marijuana use in 12-18 year olds (legal age in CO is 18) and a corresponding spike in other drug use in the same age group. Suspension and expulsion rates shot up as well.
A doubling of marijuana used in suicides.5
The state did not see an increase or decline in DWI arrests or stops; they did see marijuana more frequently as the cause of intoxication however.
There was a 673% increase to poison control for acute THC exposure, from 41 to 276. Much of these were associated with THC consumables (gummis, brownies, etc.) in addition to use.
A sharp increase in the amount of illegal marijuana businesses; this refers to unlicensed dealers, unregistered producers and other bad actors trying to cash in without the proper paperwork and legal procedures. This includes some organized crime figures from other states looking to cash in or launder money for crimes from elsewhere.
Lastly, there always seem some excitement politically to pass legalization. For many states, the revenues and impacts didn’t materialize as anticipated. Why? Because despite majorities in favor of pot legalization, most proponents do not actually smoke it or use it. So you have a potentially politically popular item that isn’t really popular in pratice.
The Health Differences
I’m not going to get into the moral equivalences or differences of marijuana v. alcohol; those tend to be in the eye of the beholder. Alcohol does cause a lot of social problems itself, and Wisconsin is a case study in what happens when alcohol use is liberalized to the point of being endemic in all aspects of sociey. Lots of bad things happen when alcohol is involved and I for one would appreciate my home state more if they eased off of the booze a little (OK, a lot).
An important difference between cannabis and alcohol is the link with chronic diseases. Currently, there is not enough research to definitely conclude that cannabis does not cause chronic diseases. For example, some studies find no link between cannabis use and lung cancer, but other studies find that cannabis is associated with a greater risk for bronchitis and other lung injuries.
Much of what we know about the risks of cannabis is based on research conducted prior to legalization. Because law-abiding cannabis users may use cannabis differently and/or less frequently than people who use cannabis illegally, the risks are probably different too. One of the benefits of cannabis legalization is that it makes it easier to conduct research on topics like this.
Conclusion
While many states have legalized pot in a rush for the tax revenues and benefits that come with it, the long term implications have still not been fully ascertained or considered. Much like initial calls to “Defund the Police” we don’t know the long term political consequences of legalized marijuana policy. As it relates to other states, so far there has not been a political fallout, but that doesn’t mean there won’t ever be.
When it comes to Wisconsin, there would be serious economic impacts should they decide to legalize. This would be detrimental in the short term but could possibly transition the state to a different economic structure. It’s understandable WI would take their time pausing legalization.
Still, the jury is still out on whether the green economy is on solid ground or if it is ultimately a mirage. We’ll only see with the passage of time.
PurpleAmerica’s Obscure Fact of the Day
A few interesting facts about the green ganja.
Contrary to widespread belief, Jamaicans generally do not all smoke marijuana casually. Only a subset does, Rastafarians. “Rastas” were followers of Ethiopian leader Haille Selassie, who among other things supported the use of marijuana. Bob Marley, himself a Rastafarian, popularized the Jamaican depiction of marijuana use. When he died, he was buried with his Bible, his guitar and marijuana provided by a Rastafarian priest.
Morocco is the largest producer of marijuana in the world. The resin, commonly called “hashish” is a staple to the Moroccan economy, and it represents 19% of the world total pot GDP. The next five largest producers? Afghanistan, Spain, Lebanon and Pakistan.
Scientists have documented that the same “high” people get from cannabis use is similar in time and effect to eating chocolate, with the same chemicals in the brain triggered.
George Washington, the father of the country, was a prolific hemp farmer and was known to smoke it as often as he smoked tobacco, which he also farmed.
PurpleAmerica’s Cultural Corner
Stoner films have been a mainstay since the 1970s. Mostly, they deal with people in odd situations who continually f**k up because they’re high. The kings of this kind of film were Cheech and Chong.
During the ‘80s, stoners got less attention, but when they did they tended to look like Spicolli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
The stoner flick found a resurgence in the 1990s with films like Friday, Dazed and Confused, Half Baked, and movies starring Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes as Jay and Silent Bob.
And since then, they haven’t waned. Movies like Pineapple Express play up the stoners as heroes who find themselves in crazy situations.
The stoner buddy comedy seems like it’s here to stay.
PurpleAmerica’s Final Word on the Subject
Lastly, shout out to the best stoner song ever. Reprising two of the best on screen stoners in Jay and Silent Bob, I give you Afroman’s “Because I Got High.”
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The party has zero history of electoral success, and has actually been known to cost the liberal leaning DFL seats in close elections. The study in why third parties are often counterproductive to their own goals.
Wikler has been a wunderkind since taking over the WI Dems. He has won virtually every state level race going back to Trump’s ignominious win in 2016, with the exception of one—Ron Johnson winning the Senate in 2022 (more the result of a bad candidate than on organiztion; Governor Tony Evers won handily the same year).
The Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA) program has published annual reports every year since 2013 tracking the impact of legalizing recreational marijuana in Colorado. The purpose is to provide data and information so that policy makers and citizens can make informed decisions on the issue of marijuana legalization
There is also the “Impacts of Marijuana Legalization In Colorado,” which is a report from the state purusant to passage of the law that the State Division of Criminal Justice has to provide.
This is likely coincidental. Suicides are often conducted when one is under the influence of a drug, and with the legalization of marijuana it just became another substance to abuse prior to committing the act.