On the Nov. 2015 ballot, Colorado passed Proposition BB, which effectively designates funds from marijuana revenue for state programs and development. In the financial year from 2014 to 2015, Colorado racked up over $66 million in revenue from sales tax on marijuana. This tax amounts to 12.9%, given 10% for any product of marijuana, and 2.9% for purchasing “tangible personal property.” The price of retail marijuana in CO already considers a 15% excise tax, while medical marijuana sales are excepted. Revenue surpassed the state’s expectations, and the Colorado school system is benefiting as a result.

The Colorado Marijuana TABOR Refund Measure, also known as Prop BB, asked voters to decide how to use the revenue. It was determined that $40 million of the surplus is intended for school construction and $12 million will be funneled into various social programs, including youth programs and drug education. One of these programs is a grant from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and focuses specifically on bully prevention.

Within the last decade, Americans have become increasingly concerned about the prevalence of bullying in schools. The National Education Association estimates that every day, over 160,000 children are absent from school on account of fear of being bullied. Bullying has highlighted national issues regarding intolerance, hate crimes, and suicide among youth.

Dr. Adam Collins of the CDE is hoping the success of these programs will inspire other states to address bullying within their school systems. “As far as we know, we’re the only state that is providing such significant funds to prevent bullying in schools,” said the program coordinator, in an interview reported TheDenverChannel.com.

Approximately $2.9 million in grants will be distributed to around 50 schools in Colorado, to implement education and prevention programs. Each school will receive up to $40,000 to be used for the fiscal year between 2016-2017. “It’s a great opportunity for schools to apply and make sure the social and emotional wellness of their students is taken care of,” Dr. Collins insists.

Strategies for the programs include “evidence-based methods,” including a bully prevention committee comprised of teachers, staff, and parents. Dr. Collins claims “It’s about changing the culture of the school so that it’s a warm environment. So it’s somewhere that bullying can’t thrive.” Another proposal of the plan is to develop permanent policies designed to prohibit bullying in schools. The bullying initiatives from the CDE have been in the works since 2011. Marijuana revenue will provide the long-awaited funding to implement a system finally.

The seemingly unlikely pairing of marijuana sales and child welfare is a testament to the positive strides made in recent years within the cannabis industry. As expressed by Mason Tvert from the Marijuana Policy Project, “It’s remarkable that less than seven years ago, all of that money was being spent in the underground market.” Colorado revenue from marijuana sales is projected to continue increasing in the coming years. Schools in Colorado are still able to apply for a grant until Oct. 21.

For more information, see https://www.cde.state.co.us/mtss/bullying

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