New Study Reveals Medical Cannabis Spending, Potential Revenue from Recreational Use in Hawaii
A recent study commissioned by the Hawaii Department of Health has found that nearly 90% of medical cannabis spending by registered patients in the state goes towards legal dispensaries. According to the analysis by Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, Hawaii’s 30,000 registered patients spent approximately $5.3 million per month at licensed dispensaries.
While this figure is significant, it still pales in comparison to the overall demand and spending on cannabis in the state. The study estimates that users spent anywhere from $16.5 million to $32 million per month, which is three to six times the amount spent at dispensaries. This discrepancy is likely due to the fact that some users may purchase cannabis from illegal sources or grow it themselves.
The study also predicts that if recreational cannabis use were legalized, it could generate $59 million to $95 million per month in spending. This potential revenue could be used to fund public health initiatives, including substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and education programs.
The Hawaii legislature is currently considering measures to legalize recreational cannabis use and establish a new office to oversee cannabis sales. If passed, the new office would be responsible for regulating the industry and taxing cannabis sales at a rate of 14%. The potential revenue generated from these taxes would be used to support public health initiatives and workforce development in the cannabis industry.
Not everyone is supportive of legalizing recreational cannabis use, however. Gary Yabuta, executive director of the Hawaii High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, has expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts of commercializing cannabis. He believes that legalizing recreational use would only encourage more people to use the drug and contribute to addiction and other public health issues.
In contrast, Andrew Goff, program manager of the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation, sees the potential benefits of legalizing recreational cannabis use. He believes that the revenue generated from taxes could be used to support public health initiatives and help address the state’s addiction and mental health issues.
Ultimately, the decision to legalize recreational cannabis use in Hawaii will depend on the outcome of the current legislative measures. While there are valid concerns on both sides of the issue, the potential revenue generated from legalizing recreational cannabis use could have significant benefits for the state’s public health initiatives.
