1 / 52 / 53 / 54 / 5 America’s legal marijuana industry is one that’s driven by its recreational and medical benefits. With the discussion of legalization already under way, we’re seeing the rise in not just professional growers and dispensaries alike, but the financial gains as seen in business profits and state taxes; after just one year, Colorado alone collected $50 million dollars strictly from cannabis taxes. Indefinitely, these are the markers that would contribute to swaying the opinions of society’s majority towards a legal cannabis future. With more states hopping on board with legalization trials, we’re beginning to see the longstanding negative stigmas and taboos surrounding the drug burning away; yet America is still far from settling the debate as the legalization of marijuana is one that straddles the lines of numerous sectors including health, food, security, education, taxation, law, religion and tourism. Author:Ashleigh Kim