Today, I take a look at how Issue 2, which would legalize the recreational use of marijuana, could potentially impact small businesses. Many entrepreneurs as well as those trying to break into the marijuana industry believe passage of the ballot issue would help them. The subject of small businesses has been left out of the debate around the issue.
As Signal Cleveland’s economics reporter, I’m always looking beyond the headlines to see how small businesses and minority entrepreneurs are affected by changes.
Many small businesses, including those that are Black-owned, say they haven’t benefited from the medical marijuana industry but think the legalization of recreational marijuana holds promise.
I talked to some who say that they have not fully benefited from the 2016 legalization of medical marijuana. I also found some who are hopeful that Issue 2 will give them a greater foothold in the marijuana industry, which is big business and dominated by corporate companies.
I hope you take the time to learn about their stories.
The economics of legalizing marijuana
How Issue 2 proposes to help small businesses in the marijuana industry
Many marijuana entrepreneurs are counting on Issue 2, which would legalize marijuana use for adults, being good for small businesses.