Retail Industry Should Support Legalization of Marijuana, According to RetailWire Poll
From a purely practical standpoint, many are now convinced that legalizing marijuana in the U.S. would be of great benefit to the economy, particularly to retail businesses, and would alleviate other societal problems and injustices. An online poll conducted on RetailWire.com, a forum for retail industry professionals, addressed the matter head-on.
(PRWEB) June 6, 2005 -- "Retail-ize It!"
In a recent online survey of
RetailWire.com's membership of retailing professionals, over two-thirds (69
percent) came out in favor of the retail industry supporting the legalization of
marijuana. Only 21 percent were firmly opposed.
The online poll and
subsequent discussion were prompted by news that Professor Milton Friedman is
among 500 economists who have publicly endorsed a Harvard University report, The
Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition, that says legalizing pot would
save states and the federal government $7.7 billion a year while bringing in
between $2.4 billion and $6.2 billion in additional tax revenues annually,
depending on the rate of the levy.
The enthusiasm of poll respondents,
however, was tempered by commentary submitted by retailing experts from
RetailWire's BrainTrust panel, including industry consulant James Tenser,
Principal of VSN Strategies: "Speaking hypothetically, marijuana might prove to
be a profitable line for retailers. And it seems righteous to stop incarcerating
young people for simple possession at a high cost to taxpayers. But I wouldn't
advocate that retailers take an active pro-pot stance. Most have been backing
away from tobacco sales due mainly to health concerns. Pot risks are similar.
And considering the present quality of the retail workforce - what kind of labor
pool would chain retailers have to draw from if pot were actually
legal?"
See the full story: "Economists Call Current Pot Laws Dopey" ...
plus the accompanying Instant Poll and commentary from the RetailWire BrainTrust
panel:
http://www.retailwire.com/Discussions/Sngl_Discussion.cfm/10690
(Free
registration required)
RetailWire editor-in-chief George Anderson has
recently been featured on CBS Marketwatch radio and NPR. He is available for
interviews and commentary:
George Anderson
908-709-1690
About
RetailWire.com
RetailWire is a unique online news analysis and discussion
forum, which launched in February 2002. RetailWire goes beyond conventional
headline news reporting. Each business morning, RetailWire editors pick news
topics worthy of commentary by its "BrainTrust" panel of industry experts, and
the general RetailWire membership. The results are virtual round tables of
industry opinion and advice covering key dynamics and issues affecting the
retailing industry.
Membership to RetailWire is free to all qualified
retail industry professionals. Over two-thirds of members are in top executive
or senior management positions, representing a broad cross section of retail
channels and the companies that supply them.
RetailWire is supported via
sponsorships by leading retail suppliers and service organizations. Sponsorship
packages take the form of information-rich "Business TIPS." Current sponsors
include Campbell Soup, ACNielsen, Unilever HPC, Hershey's, Nestlé Purina,
DemandTec, Interactive Edge and Concept Shopping.
Editorial inquiries,
contact:
George Anderson
908-709-1690
For general business
inquiries, contact:
Rick Moss
973-744-0813
For sponsorship
information, contact:
Al McClain
203-975-0557
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb247667.htm