Dive Brief:
- Citing the economic gains of Colorado and Washington, Sheila Gallagher, Democratic candidate for South Carolina superintendent, proposes the state legalize marijuana and use the extra tax dollars to fund public education.
- The former public school teacher and president of the South Carolina Education Association believes the state could rake in an additional $188 million every year if marijuana was legalized.
- She says the money could be used to increase teacher pay, decrease class sizes, and buy more school supplies and resources.
Dive Insight:
Gallagher's proposal is quite contentious. Her competition is somewhat surprised she is championing marijuana legalization, saying that's not a topic superintendents are meant to deal with.
Additionally, there is the question of how drug use and schools aren't typically associated together.
As fellow Democratic candidate Montrio Belton said, "I'm sure my opponent, who's a former health and P.E. Teacher, would know that marijuana has been demonstrated to be a gateway drug."
