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How Colorado Will Use Marijuana Revenue To Prevent Bullying In Schools

How Colorado Will Use Marijuana Revenue To Prevent Bullying In Schools

Politics

How Colorado Will Use Marijuana Revenue To Prevent Bullying In Schools

Thanks to Proposition BB, the state of Colorado will be distributing millions of dollars to prevent bullying in schools over the next few months.

Marijuana Tax Used To Prevent Bullying

Colorado saw about a billion dollars in marijuana tax revenue last year alone. And, thanks to Proposition BB, the state can keep all surplus tax revenues. Last November, voters decided to pass the proposition. Now, the future of America is about to reap the benefits. The state will be distributing millions of dollars to prevent bullying in schools over the next few months.

Prevent Bullying Plan

Colorado’s Department of Education is offering up to $40,000 grants per school per year for bully prevention. So far, the surplus funds are at about $66 million.

Schools have until October 21st to apply for a bully prevention grant. All grant winners will be announced on December 30th. And, funds will be paid out on January 20th. In addition to

In addition, to grant money, schools will receive specialized training from a “prevention coach.” This is an excellent resource for schools to help students being tormented.

Bullying Video Sparks Outrage

Earlier this week, a viral video of a child being bullied at a bus stop sparked outrage.

“I think it’s a huge problem,” said Isabel Dias-Bertch, a senior from Colorado’s East High. “It’s something that haunts you the rest of your life.”

“I experienced bullying a little more than occasionally, claimed another East High senior, Preston Harcourt. “You learn to love yourself more after time.”

The Colorado Department of Education assigned Dr. Adam Collins to coordinate bully prevention grants.

“As far as we know, we’re the only state that is providing such significant funds to prevent bullying in schools,” said Dr. Collins.

“It’s a lot of money,” he added. “It’s a great opportunity for schools to apply and make sure the social and emotional wellness of their students is taken care of.”

With such massive funds, the program can afford to make bully prevention efforts that schools in other states can’t. Most schools have a single assembly on the subject and carry on. The problem needs more time and attention than that.

“You’re getting time as well as funds,” said Collins. “And so those funds come from marijuana tax dollars. So, what that is allowing us to do is actually provide help for bullying prevention in schools directly.”

“I think it’s a great thing,” said Harcourt. “We need more awareness and more money going to preventing it.”

Every selected school will have to form a bully prevention committee. Furthermore, the committee will consist of teachers, staff, and parents.

“It’s more than just teachers doing lessons,” Collins said. “It’s about changing the culture of the school so that it’s a warm environment. So it’s somewhere that bullying can’t thrive.”

Final Hit

The grant was created in 2011. However, marijuana tax dollars only became available in 2015. Colorado schools will be able to take advantage of anti-bullying resources as soon as January of 2017.

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