The War on Drugs

History

The War on Drugs was the failed effort by the United States government to fight illegal drug use by increasing the incarceration of drug offenses. The War on Drugs began in 1971 when President Nixon said drug abuse was the country’s no. 1 enemy and increased funding for the new Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

The failed War on Drugs cost the country about a trillion dollars. It failed because it had little to no effect on the supply of drugs in the United States and sent millions of people to prison for minor drug offenses. There are about 2.3 million people in prison now and about 25% are locked up because of drug offenses.

Legalization

In 2016, Massachusetts voters made cannabis legal for adults 21 and older. As a result, cannabis became legal for adults to grow and possess in Massachusetts. The first sales began in November 20, 2018 and since then approximately 33 stores have opened for business. Massachusetts has made ~$394 million in sales, with ~$67 million in state tax revenue and ~$12 million in tax revenue for local cities.

State Representative Chynah Tyler

Seeing the opportunity for economic empowerment in a new industry, Massachusetts State Representative Chynah Tyler helped create a major initiative to empower, educate and employ individuals disproportionately impacted by the nation’s failed War on Drugs.

In 2018, State Rep. Chynah Tyler obtained critical seed funding through the legislative process and convened the CultivatED Program partners to create the program that has started today.