Why Cannabis is for Maryland

This year, Marylanders were given an important question on this year’s voting ballots, “Should marijuana be legal in Maryland for adults 21 and over?” In June, Maryland lawmakers are answering the question for adult use legalization for cannabis that will be going into effect July 1, 2023. The plan that’s laid out is just a framework of what’s to come, and there are still many questions to be asked and answered (This will eventually get figured out between the MMCC and other organizations.)

Aside from whether or not it’s going to be recreational doesn’t take away from the fact that cannabis provides benefits to the societies it’s legalized in. Here are some reasons why recreational cannabis is right for Maryland, and what Lead4Life wants to do about it.

Benefits of Cannabis on Physical/Mental Health: This herb has been harvested and utilized for thousands of years, and with a combination of stigma, over indulgent sweeping drug legislation, and unfruitful political battles caused marijuana to be kept in the shadows. Recently, cannabis has been in the headlines for over two decades for its incredible help in medical advancements. The chemicals it contains, THC and CBD, have both been found to help in cancer treatments, physical therapy, various mental health disorders, and much more that’s still being discovered and applied.

GoodRx provides more information and studies on the medical applications of cannabis here.

The medical benefits are obvious, but, the real change comes in social and policy reform.

Benefits to Society: Colorado’s legalization of recreational marijuana shook the world in 2012, but in hindsight, it worked out really well for the state, and now everyone is following their steps. “Today,  the once-underground endeavor is a $2 billion per year industry in Colorado, and research on its chemical makeup, health benefits and risks is flourishing at institutions around the country.”

Of course, Colorado is the prime example whenever one talks about cannabis laws, but there are many other examples of states benefiting from medical & recreational marijuana (Maryland, California, Florida, District of Columbia, to name a few.) Here are some, just to name a few:

State Tax Benefits: States that have introduced cannabis to purchase have had tremendous increases in cash flow. “Legalization of cannabis products has been a boon for state budgets, with states reporting a combined total of $10.4 billion in tax revenue from cannabis sales as of the close of 2021, not including any revenue produced by medical marijuana distribution. Local towns and cities with thriving marijuana operations have also generated millions.”

Social Justice: Legalizing marijuana for recreational use also brings benefits to the people, in terms of social justice, such as reducing arrests for possession, which would reduce stress in the overall system. Including trials, sentencing, prison capacity, etc.

Problems with Cannabis: Cannabis provides many benefits to our society and our citizens, but we must try to not promote this product as a “cure-all.” It’s healthy to understand the boundaries of every substance, and how we can apply it the best way possible. Here are some potential issues that cannabis could bring:

Need the Infrastructure: Introducing cannabis to a state brings a lot of benefits, but the most difficulty comes in when creating a solid foundation for the cannabis industry to grow from. You must keep in mind dispensary locations, keeping up to date with laws and regulations, and being responsible with the medicine, and the money that it brings in. The last thing the state needs to do with this potential fund increase is to squander it on wasteful projects.

What Lead4Life is Doing to Help:

Maryland is one of the lucky 21 states to be involved with legalizing marijuana for recreational use, but we the people, and our leaders must know what benefits and detriments it brings to Maryland.

Lead4Life is very much involved and in support of the recent cannabis legislation. So much so, that this year’s Mental Health Symposium is dedicated to how cannabis legislation will affect those with mental health challenges. If you’re interested in attending or just want to learn more, click here: Mental Health Symposium.

Do your part by learning more about what Maryland lawmakers plan to do, and how cannabis is going to change your local community.

Sources:

  1. https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/substance-use/risks-benefits-of-legal-marijuana
  2. https://mmcc.maryland.gov/Pages/Legalization-of-Non-Medical-Cannabis.aspx.
  3. https://www.colorado.edu/today/2022/11/04/decade-after-legalizing-cannabis
  4. https://www.fool.com/research/marijuana-tax-revenue-by-state/

Let Lead4Life Help

At Lead4Life, we strive to empower every participant in our programs so that they may find their purpose, achieve their goals, and become poised, productive members of their community. We advocate for those in need and assist each and every individual by providing compassionate education and valuable resources and tools so that they can make the very best decisions and develop important life, social, and competency skills.

Single Mothers in America: What’s the State?

As of 2023, single motherhood remains a prevalent issue in the United States, with over 80% of single-parent households being led by single mothers. These mothers face a wide range of challenges, including economic instability, limited access to quality healthcare and education, and social stigmatization.

In honor of Mother’s Day,  it’s time to acknowledge and commemorate powerful, single mothers. These individuals still face social expectations, and are trying to stay afloat as our economy has been endlessly plundered over the past few decades. Most of these single mothers did not choose this lifestyle, which forces them to jump over mountains just to put food on the table. Lead4Life always has a big heart for working single mothers because our founder, Jennifer Gauthier, wouldn’t have made this foundation possible without the strengths and motivations of being a working single mother.

The American problem of single mothers is a nuanced issue with many different perspectives and mindsets to take in account. But now is the time to learn how we handle our citizens and finally take action to become a better place over all. When looking at our history of passed legislation, many criticize the government for focusing on easy to push financial assistance; but real change can only come when governments change infrastructure.

How Has America Helped?

Over the past few years, there have been some legislative and policy changes aimed at supporting single mothers in America. One notable example is the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which provided financial relief to families with children through a child tax credit expansion and increased funding for programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Additionally, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been updated to extend paid leave to caregivers of seriously ill family members, including children.

While these policy changes are a step in the right direction, there is still a long way to go in terms of supporting single mothers in America. One solution is to increase access to affordable childcare, which would allow single mothers to pursue education or work opportunities without having to sacrifice quality care for their children. Additionally, programs that offer job training and financial education can help single mothers secure stable and well-paying jobs, leading to greater economic stability for their families.

Not Just America

Around the world, there are many examples of policies and programs aimed at supporting single mothers. In Canada, for example, the government provides financial support through the Canada Child Benefit,  which is a tax-free monthly payment to eligible families with children under 18. In Norway, the government provides universal childcare, which is heavily subsidized, to all children from the age of one. These policies not only provide financial support to single mothers but also ensure that their children have access to quality care and education. Another solution that has been implemented in some countries is the provision of affordable housing for single mothers. In Denmark, for example, the government has built affordable housing specifically for single mothers and their children, providing them with safe and stable living conditions.

Despite these efforts, single mothers in America and around the world continue to face a range of challenges. Stigmatization and discrimination against single mothers can make it difficult for them to access the resources and support they need. In some cases, single mothers may also face legal and financial challenges, such as difficulty obtaining child support payments or facing discrimination in the workplace.

Where to Go From Here

To address these challenges, it is important to continue advocating for policy changes that support single mothers and their families. Additionally, community-based initiatives such as support groups and mentorship programs can provide single mothers with the emotional support and guidance they need to navigate the challenges of single parenthood.

In conclusion, single motherhood remains a prevalent issue in America and around the world. While there have been some policy changes aimed at supporting single mothers, there is still much work to be done to ensure that these women and their children have access to the resources and support they need. Solutions such as affordable childcare, job training, and financial education can help to address the economic challenges faced by single mothers, while policies such as universal childcare and affordable housing can provide greater stability for their families. By continuing to advocate for these changes and supporting community-based initiatives, we can help to ensure that single mothers have the support they need to thrive.

Let Lead4Life Help

At Lead4Life, we strive to empower every participant in our programs so that they may find their purpose, achieve their goals, and become poised, productive members of their community. We advocate for those in need and assist each and every individual by providing compassionate education and valuable resources and tools so that they can make the very best decisions and develop important life, social, and competency skills.