Shayne Spence: A Republican support of legalizing marijuana

Editor’s note: This commentary is by Shayne Spence, of Johnson.

[I]’m a former Republican campaign operative, Ethan Allen Institute legislative staffer, and proud member of the Republican Party. And I’m here to talk about all the many reasons Vermont should approve H.167 and legalize marijuana for recreational use. Popular opinion on this issue has undergone a sea change over the last couple of decades, with over half of the country now allowing the use of medical marijuana, and an ever-increasing contingent of states legalizing the herb for recreational use within the last decade. Fellow New England states Maine and Massachusetts joined these others last November, when voters in both states approved ballot measures supporting legalization. This puts Vermont in an awkward position of potentially missing out on the massive economic and tourist benefits that legalizing marijuana would bring us. Not to mention, it puts the state that has prided itself on being “first in the nation” on so many other issues far behind many other states who have already moved beyond this archaic law.

As a conservative, one of the major things I look for in any new policy is the dollar signs. In Vermont, we face an ever-increasing cost of living, and no small part of that is the tax burden. Hard-working Vermonters are paying more and more each year, and their incomes are remaining stagnant, causing many to fall behind. However, state government is falling behind as well, spending more than they are taking in year after year. This forces them to raise taxes to fill the budget holes, as we have seen time and time again. One major benefit of legalizing marijuana is bringing all of that illicit money into the legal market, allowing states to tax the sales. Colorado in particular has put this to great effect, using all proceeds from legalized marijuana sales to pay for law enforcement, drug education programs, and general education expenses. One county has decided to use their revenues to give every high school graduate $1,000 for whatever form of higher education they decide to take. This kind of creative thinking is what we need to address ever-rising property taxes while we work to control our education spending.

The economic impact from this policy would be immense, immediately creating thousands of jobs and bringing many more existing jobs out of the shadows. Let’s face it, guys, Vermonters are smoking pot, Vermonters are growing pot and Vermonters are selling pot. There are some doing those things legally, through our medical marijuana program, and there are many more doing so illegally. Legalization would bring many of those illegal jobs out of the shadows, as Vermonters sign up for permits to grow, bake and create businesses centered around marijuana. In addition to all the taxes from sales of marijuana, each of the jobs created in the industry is subject to the income tax, thus creating more revenue. Employers will be subject to the same rules as every other business, ensuring that less savory actors are effectively kept out of the market. And those worried about the quality of marijuana, never fear, as many more jobs will be created to test the products for their potency, any health risks, and more. Altogether, the industry created overnight from legalization would be huge, and the revenue benefits for the state could be game-changing.

You would think that this would matter to a Republican Party that is all about affordability, broadening the tax base and encouraging innovation in business. So far, however, we haven’t heard much good out of the Republican Party on the issue, and of the seven votes against legalization, five of those senators were Republicans. Sens. Joe Benning and Rich Westman broke party lines, and with both representing areas containing state colleges, this may not be surprising to some. Of course, Gov. Phil Scott has promised to veto any bill containing legalization language. This type of thinking is outdated and out of place in a Vermont Republican Party that prides itself on being different from the national party. Vermont Republicans are a different breed, much more compassionate and understanding of complex issues than many that we see in Washington or around the country. This issue, however, is one where even Vermont Republicans are stuck firmly in the past, continuing to support a failed and costly Drug War.

And, in many ways, it really is a battle of past vs. future. It is time for Republicans to confront some very hard truths, truths I myself have been faced with as I try to talk to my friends about why they should be a Republican too. Regardless of my own opinions, Republicans are seen by many as out of touch, old, stuffy, and in many ways, backwards. Despite many attempts to rebrand, the GOP has maintained the image of representing the older generations, while the Democratic Party has managed to appear modern, youthful and fresh while offering the same stale ideas. If these perceptions continue, it is only a matter of time before the tide starts to really turn against Republicans even more than it has in the past. Another harsh truth that we need to face as a party is the demographic challenges we face. Most young people don’t support Republicans, and the thing about young people is, eventually they turn 18 and become eligible to vote. They grow up into business owners, support political campaigns and run for office themselves. Over time, if we continue down the same path as a party, we will see less success, fewer legislative seats, and more one-party control of Vermont. It is past time for us to change, and truly adapt to modern times so we can represent all Vermonters, not just an ever-shrinking demographic.

One argument against legalization in Vermont is centered around our opiate crisis, and understandably so. People have seen the way certain drugs influence their neighbors, their friends, and their family members. Marijuana, however, simply does not work the same way as heroin, prescription pills and other addictive drugs. Pot smokers don’t commit violent acts to support their habits, most are able to maintain steady employment, and, hate to tell you, but some of our own Vermont legislators partake themselves on occasion. Treating marijuana the same way we treat dangerously addictive drugs like heroin is what gives it that gateway effect. By putting marijuana in the hands of the same people who also supply those more dangerous drugs, we make those drugs accessible to people who would never come into contact with them otherwise. In many ways, government policy is responsible for our drug issues, from creating a stagnant economic environment, to failing to properly fund mental health programs, and we as a society only have ourselves to blame for that. Republicans can either be a part of the solution to this problem, or remain mired in the same thinking that has given us the label of “the party of no.”.

There is so much to be gained from supporting legalization, and so little to lose. Sure, some Republican voters may be turned off by a vote in favor of legalization. However, in light of a very reasonable budget, no new taxes this year, and other serious wins delivered by Gov. Scott, it is hard to believe that Republican voters would allow one disagreement to spoil an otherwise great year. This single flip of a policy switch would immediately bring thousands of jobs into the legal market, bring the state millions in new revenues, and broaden the tax base rather than increasing the burden on a small group. This can help us plug up our budget holes, invest in important things like Lake Champlain cleanup and affordable higher education, all while reducing teenage use of the herb. We also have the ability to foster the creation of a whole new industry in Vermont, the same way the deregulation of home- and micro-brewing has created a thriving industry. This type of innovation should appeal to Republicans greatly. I will be the first to admit that H.167 is not a perfect bill, but there is plenty of time left in the process to refine the legislation. The next step is moving it forward out of the House so a more perfect bill can be hashed out in a conference committee. I hope my Republican friends will consider my words when they vote on H.167, and go forward with an open mind as the process unfolds. A failure to do so will further solidify our negative image as a party, and we can’t afford that anymore.