Many studies have shown that marijuana is less dangerous and addictive than both tobacco and alcohol, and these substances have few regulations and are fairly easy to obtain. There are many benefits to marijuana, and the massive number of regulations that are in place in the city of Vancouver are limiting its potential.
Upgrading the number of legal stores to 12 can be the first step in helping grow the recreational marijuana business. When Oregon legalized marijuana, sales in Vancouver went down. Opening more stores can help to compensate for this loss as recreational marijuana will be more readily available to a larger area of people. Reducing some of the restrictions as to where recreational marijuana stores can be located is also another way to help the marijuana economy flourish.
Marijuana is a $1.3 billion business in the state of Washington. Allowing more locations will allow people to have more access. This, again, will bring in more taxes and money for the city.
Residents can help with this problem by engaging in voting for local decisions and in local government to help try and reduce the restrictions that are currently in place for recreational marijuana stores.
