More than $3 billion in marijuana revenue was generated in 2021.
A handful of states over the last four years have attempted to pass laws directing a portion of that money to programs and grants aimed at neighborhoods and people who lawmakers and cannabis equity activists say were disproportionately targeted for arrests and imprisonment for drug possession during the past 50 years.
Other programs give minority business owners priority access to cannabis business licenses.
Some states, such as Maine and Michigan, have put the money into general funds or paid for infrastructure like roads. Others, such as Illinois and California, funded programs to address the harm from drug arrests while also providing money to police departments.
State general funds were the biggest recipient of marijuana cash last year, getting $494 million total. Education came in second place, with $405 million, or 15 percent of allocated marijuana taxes. And $172 million went to public safety and police departments.
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About $47 million — a small portion of about 2 percent — went to programs specifically earmarked for cannabis equity or for communities affected by drug arrests.
