Growing Cannabis
Puerto Rico to Legalize Cannabis to Improve Economy
Puerto Rico is still trying hard to come out of the great recession impact; following 8-years of crisis, it’s considering several proposals to improve the economic down-turn. After looking at how legalized marijuana is improving the economy of respective states, Puerto Rico is also thinking to make it legal in its territory. The economy is really poor since 8 years and people are migrating, leading to variations in population. The unemployment rate is also higher and debt is out of controlfor past decade. If it is considers reforming some proposal, the potential costs are pretty high.
As per the data given at Fusion.net, the unemployment rate stands at 15%, while nearly half of the population is living in poverty and policymakers are seeking proposals and suggestions from all corners, including the public. Approximately 370 different suggestions to take out the government from $170B debt were proposed and policymakers have chosen 156 submissions for further development. Associated Press stated that proposals and suggestions range from getting rid of several government organizations to reduction in public holiday list. Yet another proposal taken seriously by the government is to make cannabis legal, include to grow weed seeds for personal use. Maria Teresa Gonzalez Sen. stated that the government is considering all possibilities and alternatives.
If changes bring inconvenience, the government will consider other ideas to make it as convenient as possible. Whether the government will actually consider this option or not is yet to be seen but theCommonwealth’s law branch has already given its approval. Alejandro Garcia Padilla, the Governor is also supporting this issue. Apart from decriminalizing cannabis, Maria Teresa’s administration has proposed to cut short the public holiday numbers to 6 from 20, claiming that this would certainly save $500M annually. Ricardo Llerandi Cruz, Republican recommended that removing certain government agencies would save administrative costs of about $160-million along with other expenses, and was quoted as saying - "Puerto Rico is facing the worst fiscal crisis in all of its history." He told that the administration should revisit or refocus governmental priorities to address these issues. Coming out from debt has become the major concern for governor, who has promised credit agencies and investors, which will save $820 million.
Though it’s still not clear how these are going to happen, public is scared that government will ignore their proposals and encourage firing people from jobs, raising tax and trimming public services. Manuel Lugo, attorney believes that since there was no economical plan for so many years, it’s quite hard to alter the inertia of the nation. However, the consequences of legalizing cannabis in Colorado had been really great, and it’s certainly worth a shot!