As Massachusetts cities and towns struggle to keep teachers in public schools and police officers on the streets, a Boston University study shows $121 million could be made available to local communities if the state stopped arresting and prosecuting people for marijuana trafficking and use. The study, commissioned by Change the Climate also shows that an additional $17 million could be raised if marijuana sales were regulated and taxed.

Marijuana prohibition entails direct enforcement costs and prevents taxation of marijuana production and sale. Whether marijuana legalization is a desirable policy depends on many factors other than the budgetary impacts. Yet these impacts should be included in a rational debate about marijuana policy, particularly in this time of state budget crises and increasing support for medical marijuana and legalization.