|
The analysis, entitled “The Costs and Benefits of Recreational
Cannabis Legalization in Illinois,” examines the "value" of
cannabis to Illinois counties since the state legalized
marijuana in 2020.
Costs, the denominator of the equation, was measured as
health-care costs for combating cannabis use disorder among the
population. The analysis compares treatment costs to tax
revenues to determine if getting into the marijuana business was
worth it.
“An average, annual per person cost to treat a person with
cannabis use disorder is around $1,700,” researcher Adee
Athiyaman of the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs said.
Research indicates that 10% of the people who have ever smoked
marijuana become addicted to the drug.
The typical or median cannabis tax revenue for the metro region
is just over $991,000. The median tax revenue for a rural non
metro area is $209,000, one-fifth of the metro value.
Athiyaman adds that if treatment costs are running too high,
then a public service campaign may be in order.
“The trying behavior should be stopped and that means education
at a very young age starting from junior high,” Athiyaman said.
The study suggests that recreational cannabis legalization
doesn’t provide "value" for 35% of the metro counties and
one-in-three of rural counties.
Illinois takes in more tax revenue from marijuana than any other
state but California, pulling in $562 million last year.
|
|
