1. United States
2. Hawaii
3. Letter

For this upcoming session, consider legalizing and regulating marijuana. I don't think it needs to be stated, but compared to Alcohol and Tobacco, Marijuana is both less deadly and less addictive. Now that doesn't make it completely safe, it's not without its benefits. Such as stress relief, pain management, focus, anxiety management and helps people cope with depression. Legalization can create a surplus that we could use for the upkeep of our public schools, our infrastructure, and so much more, so we don't have to rely solely on tourism, significantly since the tourism industry hasn't fully recovered post-COVID. I know there were concerns last session so I wanted to assure you that those fears were unfounded. First, Marijuana in itself does not cause psychosis or Schizophrenia. Leading studies show that both are genetic conditions, not something that a mild high can cause. However, those pre-disposed to those conditions should be discouraged from taking it. Second, it would raise the crime rate. This is something that Colorado was worried about when it first legalized marijuana, but since then, none of the other states that legalized the drug have found a rise in crime. They have seen the opposite, a drop in crime. Probably because they were no longer arresting people for smoking marijuana. Third is the classic "think of the children" excuse. That children will have easier access and get addicted to the substance. Boldur University has conducted a study and found that since the legislation of marijuana in Colorado, there has been no rise in underage usage of marijuana, mainly because it was still illegal to sell to those under 18-21. On top of legalization, I want to see a regulatory body set up so that we can make sure that the weed is safe and hold dispensaries accountable if they fail to live up to it. This includes making sure no mixing of fentanyl or other dangerous substances is being used to make the products. Have penalties for those who falsify what their strains contain. Revoke the license to those who are found to sell to people under the age of 21. Have PAs about the real benefits and cons of Marijuana so the public can make an educated choice if they want to buy some. And perhaps implement protocols so that sellers can deny a sale of marijuana if they believe a person is mentally unstable. Obviously, for licensing, we should give preference to those who have been arrested and convicted of drug-related charges. And if passed we should expunge the records for those same people. Hawaii is behind on the issue of marijuana. We should have legalized it long ago, but we are held back by centuries-old fears of the failure of the war on drugs. Do what is right, listen to the people of Hawaii, and legalize and regulate marijuana so that Hawaii can be both green and safe.