“Legalizing recreational marijuana presents us with the opportunity to recover billions of dollars in state budget deficits,” she said. “Filling these gaps will expand the government’s ability to provide essential COVID-19 recovery aid to historically disadvantaged businesses, and decriminalize the minor drug offenses that drain taxpayer dollars and disproportionately incarcerate people of color. We have had years to weigh the pros and cons, the time to act is now.” (8/26/20)