“Articles about marijuana legalization tend to focus on income — how much money will come in because of the commercialization of marijuana — but rarely focus on the cost. Homelessness, mental health and drug treatment are often factors on the cost side of the marijuana equation. In many communities, homelessness increased after marijuana legalization.

Marijuana is scientifically linked with psychosis and the onset of several other mental health issues. And in San Diego County, marijuana is now the primary drug of choice among youth and almost all adults in treatment say they started with marijuana.

So drug addiction treatment costs also need to be considered. Not to mention the social costs when drug users don’t get treatment. Do the math – marijuana commercialization, income versus cost, leaves communities short-changed.”