This week, the Democrat staff of the Congressional Joint Economic Committee issued a short report highlighting the economic benefits of the national cannabis economy.
The report highlights what many in the industry and public already know – support for the legalization of adult-use is at an all-time high across the country. While over 30 states have moved towards some form of legal use, the federal ban continues to present significant barriers to the industry’s growth. Some interesting points made in the report include:
- 66% of Americans support legalization of adult-use, up from just 12% in 1969.
- Industry sales totaled more than $8 billion in 2017
- Sales industry wide are estimated to reach $11 billion in 2019, and $23 billion by 2022
- There were over 9,000 active cannabis business licenses in 2017, with the industry employing more than 120,000 people
With the positive economic and job growth created by the industry, significant barriers created by the federal ban exist. I would add here that in California, the ability of local jurisdictions to prohibit cannabis business activity is an additional barrier. Among the many challenges created by the federal ban, the report highlights the following:
- A lack of basic financial services available to cannabis business creates security issues, as well as general barriers to paying for basic business expenses, i.e. employee salaries, rent, etc
- The federal ban has created an unfair advantage for non-cannabis/illicit businesses over legal ones. Section 280E prohibits cannabis business from deducting ordinary business expenses, creating an estimated tax rate of 40% – 70%; more than twice the average non-cannabis business tax
- The ban also creates a barrier to acquiring financial capital to start or grow a cannabis-based business
- Finally, the ban continues to restrict patient access to medicine that has proven to effective in treating a variety of ailments and illnesses
The report goes on to discuss the social impacts of cannabis that is well worth reading, and ends on this note:
“The growth of the cannabis economy presents opportunities for greater job creation, more tax revenue, and better patient care. But current conflicts between state and federal law threaten to impede social and economic growth. Going forward, lawmakers and regulators should prioritize solutions that promote greater research into the health effects of cannabis and reduce regulations that restrict the industry’s ability to conduct business.”
What are your thoughts on the report?
Do you have questions related to economic impact of the cannabis industry? Do you want to know how to share this information in an effective way before legislators and decision-makers? Contact Ashley at ashley@ampublicaffairs.com to discuss.