Our Changing World

I am really surprised at the reactions of people to some of the social changes occurring in our world these days: The acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, individuals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glbtq.com, and the decision to accept gay marriage occurred quickly in the minds of many.  I do not think it occurred quickly. I think the seeds were planted in the 60's and 70's, when he "Baby Boomers" were young, not the establishment, and exploring counter-culture ways of life. And, now that the "Baby Boomers" who went through those chaotic years of upheaval and were not "the establishment" have become "the establishment," these enlightened ideas are becoming, if not accepted yet, then at least legally protected social mores.

I think the same is happening with marijuana.  The people who are in power and authority now, were exposed, as young people, to the open and free ideas of the 60's and 70's that included the free and open use of marijuana.  They are probably people like me who may or may not have really engaged in the counter culture but saw no harm in it, and now are able to vote, wield authority and influence in the world of government and corporate America https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_cannabis_by_U.S._jurisdiction. That, along with the ideas of young people, who also see no harm in marijuana, have made the legalization of marijuana for medicinal use and in a few states, for recreational use, sensible.

So, while many people think we are having some radical social changes in a rapid way, I would say that the seeds were planted in the 1960's and 1970's and now the revolution of social change is being enacted.

Recreational Marijuana and Tax Dollars

Colorado is one of two states, Washington being the other, that recently legalized recreational marijuana.  And in the first month, Colorado rrealized $2 million dollars in taxes http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/colorado-marijuana-taxes-brought-in-2-million-in-january/2014/03/10/5411257e-a891-11e3-8599-ce7295b6851c_story.html. 

According to one source http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881 20 states and Washington DC have legalized medical marijuana.  I am surprised by the number, but maybe I should not be.

I think, though, that the idea of acquiring a quick and high tax revenue source will cause many other states to look at legalizing recreational marijuana.

When Lubbock voted to allow packaged alcohol sales throughout the city, there were those who thought that would increase sales tax revenue for the city. But, that did not happen http://m.amarillo.com/news/latest-news/2012-12-07/expectations-lubbock-going-wet-not-coming-reality. 

The point is, there is no real way to ultimately predict the tax impact of legalized alcohol sales or legalized marijuana sales until the situation occurs.   And, if many states legalize recreational marijuana, will that cut into the sales in the few states that will have the early edge on sales?