A recent Pew Research Center survey showed that support for legalization of marijuana has increased in the U.S., with 53 percent of Americans in favor. That’s a huge difference from 1969, when Gallup first asked the question and just 12 percent favored legalization. Perhaps even more telling, 57 percent say they would not be bothered if a store or business selling legal marijuana opened up in their neighborhood. Shifting attitudes about marijuana are proving to be a boon for businesses that cater to people interested in buying grinders, rolling papers, and other smoking products.
“I think those of us who acted early and are already poised to take advantage of these societal changes will prosper,” says Ryan Ward, co-founder with Brian Rudderrow of Weedshop.com, an online store that promotes itself as a “smoke shop.”
“The legalization movement is just going to grow, and with it, business is going to grow as well.”
Recent history
So far, four states—Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska—and the District of Columbia have passed measures to legalize marijuana use. Another 14 states have decriminalized certain amounts of marijuana possession, and about half the states allow medical marijuana.
Generational outlook
Most of the opposition to legalization comes from older Americans. The Pew survey showed that 68 percent of Millennials favor legalization. That compares to 50 percent of Baby Boomers and just 29 percent of the Silent Generation (those 70 to 87 years old.)
The future
The movement continues to gain momentum and proponents are optimistic that more states eventually will legalize marijuana, though opposition remains. Voters in Ohio are the next to face the issue when they go to the polls in November.
Ward follows the legalization efforts with an eye toward what they might mean to his business and the overall business landscape.
“Even as you see the legalization happening, there is still a certain taboo about marijuana,” he says. “A lot of people are concerned about being seen going into a store or coming out of a store that sells these sorts of products, so the ability to be able to shop discretely online is huge right now.”
Utah outlawed marijuana in 1914. A number of Mormons moved to Mexico when polygamy was outlawed in Utah in 1910. When they returned to Utah, marijuana was one of the things they brought back with them. Marijuana was outlawed with a number of other common vices as part of Mormon religious prohibitions enacted into law. Although California was the first state to outlaw marijuana, Utah comes in number two….
Here’s my prediction – Utah will be either the last or second to last state in the Union to make it legal….
(* not referring to medicinal use for seizures or PTSD….) Dream on Utah stoners… IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT – you can move!