Ever since the great marijuana debate first regained momentum in the 1970s, California always seemed to be at the heart of support for the little green plant. After all, some of the biggest contributors to the pro-marijuana movement (including Dennis Peron) pushed for the legalization of the plant for HIV/AIDS victims due to an extensive outbreak in San Francisco. Once the drug was fully legalized in 2016, California seemed to be on the road to success by paving the way for the rest of the U.S. So, what went wrong? Why is the Golden State suddenly experiencing a big speed bump in its pot market? Let’s take a closer look at the problem with the marijuana industry in California.
Taxes, Taxes, and More Taxes
Based on recent reports, marijuana retailers and growers across the state have been suffering from a string of intricate and overly rigorous regulations, unnecessarily high taxes, and the bizarre prohibition taking root in various counties. Likewise (and quite surprisingly) numerous people are flocking to courts to complain about marijuana businesses, which are considered a nuisance. Even members of the California police force are standing by the fact that the little green plant could still pose a threat to public safety, greatly due to pot-related crime. (Additional analyses reveal that legislators are planning to send Governor-Elect Gavin Newsom a string of proposals to cut taxes after he takes office in 2019.)
When Things Get Smelly
According to Dale Gieringer (director of California NORML), California’s eagerness to over-regulate and over-tax is crippling the marijuana industry, and the state government does not appear to be planning any changes for future laws. Once Proposition 64 passed, officials projected that 6,000 marijuana shops would pop up across the state, but only 547 licenses have been authorized. Likewise, 1,790 dispensaries and shops had been paying hefty taxes prior to January 1, 2019 (when California licenses were required). Also, rather than reaching $1 billion in pot income, California has only brought in $630 million (a staggering drop from the initial projection).
Seeking Treatment for Marijuana Use Disorder
Always remember that drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
