I write about the effort to legalize marijuana periodically—but this time, there’s more support for the process from within the Louisiana legislature. A little over a week ago, I received a press release op-ed from State Rep. Richard Nelson’s office. Nelson is the Republican state representative from District 89, which covers most of Mandeville.

Visit any misdemeanor court in Louisiana and you will quickly be convinced of the failed state of Louisiana’s drug policy. The courtrooms are filled with scared Louisianans missing work and school for possession of marijuana. Drive down any road, visit any school, or talk with any cop and you will realize that there are greater priorities for our tax dollars than marijuana enforcement. Sixteen states and counting have legalized recreational marijuana. It is time for Louisiana to stop making criminals out of our citizens, put the drug dealers out of business, and use the tax proceeds to build a better state.

Nearly a decade after states began to legalize cannabis sales, we have years of data on the effects of legalization. We know any harm is minimal. Documented marijuana-related deaths in the U.S. are essentially zero, much less than other legal substances like alcohol (95,000) or tobacco (480,000). Legalization did not lead to excessive car crashes, underage use actually decreased in some states, and the use of other drugs remained mostly flat. However, marijuana-related tax revenue has surpassed all expectations. Projections for Louisiana are nearly $1 billion of tax revenue in the first five years. In a poor state, these dollars can fix real problems. We can take the money now flowing to the gangs and cartels and use it to fund our police and improve our communities.

There is no reason Louisiana cannot legalize marijuana this year. Two-thirds of voters supported legalization in the most recent statewide poll. This is one of those rare instances where what is right is also popular, and therefore entirely within reach. Legalizing now will allow us to develop the cannabis industry in Louisiana while federal law prohibits out-of-state competition. If we delay, not only will we miss out on hundreds of millions in tax revenue, but without a native industry, federal legalization will result in our state simply buying the products from California. Finally, nothing will revive our COVID-decimated tourism industry like legalized pot.

If approved by the Legislature, my bill, HB 524, will let the voters decide the future of marijuana in Louisiana. It will remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana and, in parishes that vote in favor, allow a safe and regulated industry for sale and growth. As a conservative defender of limited government, free markets, and individual liberty, I believe the people are capable of making up their own minds about a plant. We have an opportunity to be a leader in the South and demonstrate that state government can still tackle difficult problems. Louisiana will legalize marijuana. There is no better time than now.

Every week, I think about this, as I am one of the patients who have a legal prescription to use medicinal marijuana (since you must know, I had a devastating car accident when I was in my late 20s that causes me to have daily, severe pain—which is why I walk with a cane).

When Louisiana took three years to put in all the regulations to allow the prescription of medical marijuana (i.e., there are only two growing sites in Louisiana, both at universities in Baton Rouge; the credentialing of only a few doctors statewide who can prescribe it; and only 10 dispensaries throughout the entire state), at least people who were suffering could access medicinal marijuana, although it’s very expensive, as is the acquisition of a physician’s referral to even qualify to get the pot. Over the past 18 months though, the laws have been amended to allow all doctors the ability to prescribe medical marijuana for patients who meet certain criteria (these criteria have also been broadened).

I’m going to reiterate Nelson’s Op Ed: there is no reason why the Louisiana legislature should continue to prohibit recreational marijuana use. Why should we fall behind the rest of the states in the US. Colorado’s success with marijuana is there for all to see. What’s keeping Louisiana back?

I’d probably have a massive number of supporters on this concept: marijuana is not considered a gateway drug, not any more than alcohol. There are hundreds, probably thousands, of people in prison for pot possession and intent to distribute who should be busted out right now. There’s no evidence that legalizing pot causes an increase in auto accidents either.

OffBeat has been pushing for the legalization of marijuana in Louisiana for at least 15 years, and on the federal level for at least as long. If alcohol is legal, can be taxed, and is regulated, marijuana should also be subject to the same type of laws. I’m sure  those Louisiana legislators have all had a drink or two throughout their lives, and I’d also be willing to guess that most of them have experienced marijuana, too.

In the state legislative session that just started this past Monday, there is a real movement to establish legalization. Another Republican, House Speaker Pro Tem Tanner Magee of Houma, is sponsoring legislation to allow people to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of raw “flower” per patient every two weeks from the approved and licenses dispensaries, and to make sales tax applicable to the smokable form of marijuana; taxes would be used to fund transportation projects. Mississippi and Arkansas have already authorized smokable medical marijuana. Magee told The Advocate: “This is where the South is headed, and we still have an opportunity to pioneer this in the South. Or just like gaming, we can be behind Mississippi and let them reap all the rewards and then try to play catch up later.”

It’s about time. It’s way past time we get this done.

Call, email and/or write your legislators in Louisiana (need to find them? go here), and let’s get this done.