UBC and SFU researchers find decriminalization would hobble organized crime and encourage less cannabis use

By Bruce Constantineau, Vancouver Sun November 21, 2012

Photograph Courtesy of Calgary Herald 2012

Legalizing marijuana in B.C. could generate $2.5 billion in government tax and licensing revenues over the next five years, according to a study published this month in the International Journal of Drug Policy.

The information comes after Washington state and Colorado passed measures two weeks ago approving the legalization of marijuana for adult use under a strictly regulated system.

The study – conducted by a coalition of University of B.C. and Simon Fraser University researchers – used surveillance data from the Centre for Addictions Research to estimate the annual value of the B.C retail cannabis market at between $443 million and $564 million.

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