1. Legalizing Marijuana: The Business
The Economic Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana
Presenter:
Ashley Boyd
Mentor:
Dr. J. Lee Brown

2. Research Outline How profitable is Marijuana?
What's the opportunity cost?
Is marijuana legalization probable?
Is marijuana marketable?

3. How Profitable is Marijuana: The Government
~1.3 billon dollars of tax revenue annually
~7.7 billion dollars in reduce police force and prison costs annually
Total: ~9 billion dollars a year
This could increase the education budget by ~11%
abcnews.com
Thecrimereport.org

4. How Profitable is Marijuana: The Corporations
James Lathrop made $3.1 million in sales in 2014 with Seattle's first legal marijuana shop
But was taxed: $510,000 federal
$778,000 state
Store Expenses: ~216,000 a year
Total Estimated Profit: ~1.6 million annually
abcnews.com
marijuanabusinessnews.com

5. How Profitable is Marijuana: The Economy
Indeed.com list 726 available jobs in the marijuana industry in the U.S
Colorado also has seen an economic boost since legalization.  Colorado is ranked as one of the fastest growing economies.
The unemployment rate is at its lowest since 2008, well below the national average
” I’m not claiming a direct causation to marijuana legalization, but marijuana legalization certainly has not hurt Colorado.”– Drugpolicy.org
businessinsider.com

6. Is Marijuana Legalization Probable?
Schedule 1
Schedule 1 drug
Regulation
NORML petition comes into effect
Marijuana and Medicine is published
vote by the American Medical Association (AMA), to reverse its long-standing position that marijuana should remain in Schedule I
file:///C:/Users/Ashley/Downloads/DPA-MAPS_DEA_Science_Final.pdf
NORML petition puts pressure on dea to find scientific evidence for illieglizing mariuana

7. Is Marijuana Legalization Probable?
Regulation
Schedule 1 drug
Regulation
Same limitations as alcohol:
21 years of age
Can not be consumed publically
Can only be sold in government regulated dispensaries
i.e ABC Store

8. Is Marijuana Legalization Probable?
Surgeon General’s Warning
Schedule 1 drug
Regulation

9. Is Marijuana Marketable?
Development of a Prototype
28,700,000 users in North America
This market does not provide enough revenue
Trying to reach a new market
unodc.org

10. What This Prototype Means
It allows for better regulation
Helps establish a new market
Creates a more elegant experience

11. Current Legal Dispensaries

12. A New Kind of Dispensary

13. Think Tank Target Market: People who don’t normally smoke marijuana
Why?
Different Flavors
Mask the Smell
Removable Tip
Design Marketing Strategies for Different People
Gender
Social Status
Co-Branding
“Stay at home mothers”
More elegant experience
Skittles, Mountain Dew Baja Blast, Hershey's

14. "Cigarette Smoking among U. S
"Cigarette Smoking among U.S. High School Students at Lowest Level in 22 Years." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 June Web. 10 July 2015.
"United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime." United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2015.
"DrugFacts: Is Marijuana Medicine?" DrugFacts: Is Marijuana Medicine?N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2015.
"California Proposition 215, the Medical Marijuana Initiative (1996)." - Ballotpedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July <
"State Marijuana Laws Map." State Marijuana Laws Map. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July <
"How Marijuana Legalization Will Affect Mexico’s Cartels, in Charts."Washington Post. The Washington Post, 09 Nov Web. 10 July 2015. legalization-will-affect-mexicos-cartels-in-charts/
PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 10 July <
"Taxing Marijuana: The Washington and Colorado Experience." Tax Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2015. 
"MarijuanaBusinessNews.com - How Much Money Does a Medical Marijuana Club Make?" MarijuanaBusinessNews.com - How Much Money Does a Medical Marijuana Club Make? N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2015. 
References

15. THANK YOU Questions?
Contact Information:
Ashley “AB” Boyd
Acknowledgments:
- Dr. J. Lee Brown
- The McNair Scholars Program
- Fayetteville State University