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“EXCELLENCE THROUGH KNOWLEDGE” P A G E 66 The Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition in Jamaica Decriminalization of marijuana has received substantial attention over the last several decades as countries worldwide have moved towards decriminalization. An important issue in this debate is the budgetary implicationsofmarijuanaprohibition. Thispaperexamines the effects of marijuana prohibition on government expenditure in Jamaica - savings that would be had if there were no enforcement costs, as well as income that could be earned if marijuana was regulated and taxed like other goods. This paper estimates that in 2007 decriminalisingmarijuana in Jamaica would save approximately J$5.54 billion per year in government expenditure; between J$263 million-J$363 million annually if marijuana were taxed like normal goods and between J$877 million-J$1.3 billion if marijuana were taxed at rates similar to those on cigarettes and alcohol. An additional J$15billion could be earned if companies were allowed to export marijuana and then were taxed. The paper also discusses the implications for both future academic research and public policy. Tameka Nelson Editor’s Note: This research was published in the Journal of Arts, Science, and Technology, Vol. 5. 2012 TamekaNelson