Was Legal Pot a Good Idea?

Researchers detail what we know about impact on revenue and health — and what we still need to find out

In Massachusetts, getting stoned gets easier all the time.

Since the Commonwealth legalized recreational cannabis in 2016, dispensaries have proliferated, the price of cannabis has dropped by more than half, and the potency of pot has shot up. All told, cannabis has become big business in Massachusetts, with the industry raking in more than $1.64 billion last year. Other states have seen similar trends.

Some supporters of legalization envisioned a new era of personal freedom, with easy access to a plant they touted as a healthier alternative to alcohol. Tax revenue from cannabis sales would fund valuable state projects, and legalization would alleviate a burden on the justice system, they said.

Almost a decade later, we asked four researchers to weigh in on how those hopes line up against the reality of marijuana legalization. Interviews have been edited for clarity and length.