Thread from my tweet yesterday diving into the legalization of marijuana and sports betting.

Thread

@JSCollinsAP wrote an article highlighting that South Carolina is estimated to lose over $1 Billion from Covid-19. This virus has shaken our society and will likely change our world forever. This being said let’s begin.

1) Alaska generated $22.1 million in tax revenue from marijuana in 2019. Alaska’s population compared to South Carolina’s is extreme. We have over 5 million in our state with bordering states of NC and GA that have 10 million each.

2) SC has had 181,000 people file for unemployment. The state of Colorado has created 40,000 jobs spanning over 3,000 licensed businesses. Legalized states saw over 20% increase in tourism $ as well.

3) How do states use tax $? Illinois uses tax $ for justice reform. California uses tax $ for school programs. Maine uses tax $ for additional law enforcement training. Washington uses tax $ for health care programs.

4) People with chronic illness, depression and other issues use marijuana to help with whatever they are going through. CBD products are already being used in our state.

5) In 2018 the United States Supreme Court found the “amateur sports protection act” to be unconstitutional and ruled that each state can make their own laws. Since then billions of dollars have flooded this market.

6) @espn has started marketing sports gambling and major athletes advertise for @DraftKings . @barstoolsports is shattering records in new states they are allowed to operate in. @jimcramer is even on board partnering with @DraftKings.

7) The state of Delaware has generated over $14 million in tax revenue from sports betting. SC has over 4 million more people than Delaware.

8) two industries that are widely accepted amongst the public but yet are not being used properly by our elected officials. Schools, health programs, law enforcement, fire fighters and others could benefit from potentially an additional $80 million a year.

9) Our state could spearhead a movement that is inevitable and will happen on a national scale, it’s just a matter of time.

10) @senatortomdavis @LindseyGrahamSC