America's marijuana industry could be worth $50 billion in 10 years

The marijuana industry is incredibly lucrative.
(Image credit: iStock)

The legal marijuana industry in the U.S. could grow to be worth $50 billion over the next decade, eight times its current size, according to a recent market analysis. Nine states have pot-related initiatives on the ballot this November, five to legalize the drug for all adults and four to allow it for medical use.

If California votes to legalize pot (the Golden State already permits medical use), that alone would potentially triple the nation's existing $6 billion pot industry. Currently, four states (Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington) and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana, while 25 states allow medical use.

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Kelly Gonsalves

Kelly Gonsalves is a sex and culture writer exploring love, lust, identity, and feminism. Her work has appeared at Bustle, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and more, and she previously worked as an associate editor for The Week. She's obsessed with badass ladies doing badass things, wellness movements, and very bad rom-coms.