UP IN SMOKE

by Mackenzie Leach

The lines are consistently unmistakable, spilling out of Theory Wellness in Great Barrington. Rather eye catching, perfectly apparent, and nearly impossible to miss.
Just three short years ago on November 8th, 2016, Massachusetts legalized marijuana throughout the state. This was a big change in our society and will have an impact on our economy greatly, both very positively and to its downfall in a negative way. It has caused a lot of controversy in the town of Great Barrington specifically, with some mixed views on the topic. However, taking a closer look at this newly passed law, has allowed me to see the economic growth that it has stimulated in our town, and the new societal challenges.
Here in the Berkshires, we are lucky enough to live in a community where there is so much to do on an everyday basis. This is not only beneficial for the locals, but from an economic standpoint it is also tremendously valuable. We have our cultural economy including Mass Moca, Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow, Norman Rockwell Museum, The Clark, etc. The Berkshires also offer more outdoor-like activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, and skiing with many businesses to go along with these family- friendly recreational adventures. Marijuana related businesses (“MRB’s”) have only increased the amount of economic diversity in our local community.
There are three steps to producing marijuana all of which require and open up hundreds of job opportunities. Growing the plant on your typical marijuana farm is the first step, which takes a lot of time, effort, and employees. Next, you actually produce the product meaning extracting any unwanted oils, and more or less turning the leaf into usable marijuana. Finally, you actually sell the product in a cannabis retailer store. Millions of jobs are being lost and replaced by robots in the United States a year. It is said that nearly 800 million jobs will be lost to robots by the year 2030. MRBs will not solve this problem but hopefully help fix it. This is a relatively new industry that has opened up millions of jobs for citizens in the United States already.  
Currently, recreational marijuana is only legal at a state level not a federal level. Therefore, it is illegal for any banks to provide services to any income that has been made from MRBs. However, in the future if marijuana is legalized at a national level, banks will be fighting for the business from marijuana industries. “The marijuana business is presenting us with a lot of new challenges, risks, and possibly opportunities,” our local Lee Bank president Chuck Leach stated.  As of now, MRBs are struggling to find a source to fund their newfound profit from this increasingly growing industry. Until banks can provide their services to MRB’s, banks must resign themselves to keeping large amounts of cash in dangerous territories, such as in an actual marijuana shop. This can incite criminal activity if/when word gets out.
Unfortunately, now that the youth has gotten a hold of the fact that marijuana is legalized they think that it is suddenly “okay” and “cool” to smoke pot. Not to mention, the fact that they may see their role models such as older siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, and maybe even grandparents doing the same thing. Generally, marijuana is not good for your health. You may have side effects such as not being able to think and remember. This especially applies to teenagers. While one's brain is still developing, marijuana causes many health risks. For those under the age of 21, it can cause memory problems, learning problems, and risky behaviors. (Stephanie Watson)
Taking into account both the positive and negative outcomes of legalized marijuana and disregarding any biases and opinions formed by the general public, I have come to the conclusion that legalized marijuana is more beneficial than not for our society. But only under strict caution and if you are of age. Marijuana is legalized in Massachusetts, yes, but that does not mean it is legalized for everyone. You are still required to be over the age of 21- this rule is in place for a reason and is not meant to be broken.