It’s Easier To Keep Dispensaries Away From Schools Than You Think

In general, the desire to make money would prevent businesses such as marijuana dispensaries from locating near schools or in residential neighborhoods, and this would occur even without zoning. So while it’s understandable that many Massachusetts residents are concerned, they’re spending time and energy trying to prevent something that’s unlikely to occur in the first place.

Allowing Access To Marijuana May Help States Fix Their Opioid Problem

One recent estimate from the president’s Council of Economic Advisors finds that the opioid epidemic is costing the country hundreds of billions of dollars per year in the form of lost productivity, health care costs, and costs to the criminal justice system. Some of the rise in opioid overdoses is likely caused by job loss and economic despair, so we may see a decline as the economy continues to strengthen. But the economy is already pretty strong—despite the recent market dip— and opioid overdoses continue to plague many parts of the country. Better access to marijuana is not going to single-handedly fix the opioid problem, but it should be discussed as part of the solution.