The DEA considers marijuana use a major abuse of drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration is working extremely hard to stop the sale and use of the drug. To this end, they created the Domestic Cannabis Eradication Program. The program specifically targets cannabis cultivation. In a recent letter to congress, the government is requesting reports to see if the program is still effective since the legalization of cannabis in over half the states. A Statement in the letter reads “Over half the states have now legalized marijuana in some form, yet the DEA continues to funnel millions of tax dollars every year into marijuana eradication,”
In a series of documents obtained by journalists, the DEA is spending over $14 million a year. Yet the turnover is slim to none. In Utah, law enforcement received over $73,000 to arrest and stops all illegal marijuana growth operations. Unfortunately, by the end of the year, they came up empty-handed. This is showing to be a waste of taxpayer dollars. Money that can be allocated for other essential causes.
The Government Accountability Office is now looking to end the Cannabis Eradication Program. Federal lawmakers are asking for a thorough investigation into its budget, and methods to make sure no further unnecessary taxpayer dollars are spent. Ted Lieu, a U.S Representative in California has worked to dismantle the program for over 2 years. Although his bill hasn’t been heard yet, Ted has reported that allocation from these funds should be used to help abused children.
Cannabis is now legal in over 25 states, with that number possibly growing by the end of the year. At this current time California, Nevada, Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida and Maine are approaching electoral ballots in November to legalize cannabis. Although every state will define “legal”, in most states, it will mean possession of 1 ounce of marijuana for those 21 years of age and older is not a crime. It also allows an individual to grow up to 6 plants in their home.
When a purchase is made at a cannabis dispensary, it is taxed. In Colorado, over $996 million dollars has been collected from legal cannabis sales. Due to Colorado’s success, many states want to follow suit. The cannabis industry is expanding quickly. Tax dollars will be collected and put in places where they will be the most beneficial. Pro advocates have created budgets to show how tax dollars collected from cannabis sales can go to education, victims of abuse and feeding the hungry.
