“If marijuana were legalized, regulated, and taxed in Illinois, an estimated $1.6 billion would be sold in the state, in part due to regional tourism.”

Based on these numbers with a 26.25 percent state excise tax on retail marijuana in addition to the 6.25 percent general sales tax, the study suggests Illinois would generate “$525 million in new tax revenues, including $505 million for the state and $20 million for local governments.” It also points out that it could boost the economy by $1 billion annually.

The added tax revenue could allow the state to put more money into “vital public investments in infrastructure, K-12 public schools, college tuition assistance programs, and drug treatment and prevention programs” the study says.

In addition, according to the study, it is estimated that it could add nearly 24,000 new jobs to the state.

Not everyone is in favor of legalizing recreation marijuana, with many of the state elected officials from Southern Illinois standing against the idea during the last election cycle.

Many downstate Republicans threw their support behind medical marijuana this year, especially as an alternative to opiods. Some, though, still can’t get behind the idea of pot without a prescription.