A California legislator thinks he may have the answer to save the sinking economy of his state.
Legalize marijuana and allow the state to regulate and tax its sale.
Yea, you read it right. Legalize pot.
Time Magazine reported that Democratic State Assembly member Tom Ammiano introduced legislation last month that would legalize pot and allow the state to regulate and tax its sale - a move that could mean billions for the cash-strapped state.
According to the story “pot is California's biggest cash crop, responsible for $14 billion in annual sales, dwarfing the state's second largest agricultural commodity — milk and cream — which brings in $7.3 billion annually,” citing the most recent USDA statistics.
The state's tax collectors estimate the bill would bring in about $1.3 billion in revenue a year, offsetting some of the billions in service cuts and spending reductions outlined in the recently approved state budget.
So instead of a pot smoker going through a dealer the pot smoker can go to the local convenience store and choose from a variety of weed.
I can see it now. Store owners would have to rearrange their cigarette area to accommodate pot.
Does that mean a pot smoker, at least 21 of course, could clip coupons for Northern Lights, Panama Red, Skunk or Power Skunk, Gold/Red Seal or Purple Haze? (No, I didn’t come up with these names on my own, I found them on www.weedguru.com).
What are your thoughts? Will legalization of marijuana help California’s economy?
Or will legalization become a burden on the state due to people needing rehab in the future?
Marijuana is called the “gateway drug” — does this mean that the government would be putting people on the first step towards harsher drugs?
Let us know.
By Mary Meaux
Monday, March 16, 2009
4 comments:
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Legalize it already. It was, after all, legal up until 1933. Not only will it generate over a billion for California's budget, but they will save an additional 1 billion per year in not having to arrest/convict/jail marijuana smokers.
ReplyDeleteIf George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Abe Lincoln were alive today, they would say the same thing. How do I know? Each of them were "hemp" users in their day, all extolling the virtues of the herb in various writings. It wasn't until Mr. Dupont wanted to make his new invention (polyester) profitable in the 30's that hemp (and it's cousin, pot) became illegal in the U.S.
It's time to legalize pot. We are losing the war on drugs anyhow.
ReplyDeleteMexico is in sad shape due to the drug cartels and this violence WILL spill over into to our border states to the point that we will have to station troops there.
Seems to me it's value as a cash crop for a state in trouble is just another reason to do it.
Mind you, decriminalization is NOT THE SAME THING.
Legalize it.
Yes pot was once legalized in the 1930's, but so was cocaine and ecstasy. It would only take one to start legalizing them all. Like the article stated pot is a "gateway drug" and legalizing it would bring in an incrediable amount of money for the state, but at what cost? Yes we are losing the war on drugs and always will. Legalizing pot will only cause more problems for society in the future.
ReplyDeleteWe are adults, Cigarrettes and Alcohol have an age limit, they are supposed to be something educated adults can CHOOSE to consume. It has been Proven that cigs are much worse than weed will ever be, yet these are legal at the age of 18. Remember, with the legalization of pot does come an age limit. If we put an age limit on alcohol for example, we assume children (not adults) will never come in contact with it and they will be able to make their own choice when it comes to. How many teenagers/college kids still drink alcohol even though it IS illegal for them to do so? Marijuana can be something along the lines of alcohol, age limit of 21, can not operate a vehicle when under the influence etc. This is something that needs to be addressed, and fast. Pot legalization Nation Wide will bring a huge economic uprising, you can say what you want but it all points in the same direction. Cash crop, taxation. As far as morals go, thats exactly what they are...morals. If you feel that it shouldn't be legalized because of that, that's YOUR choice, otherwise the choice of others is theirs to make. Bring up religion, bring up personal views, but all in all cigarrettes/alcohol both have the same morals involved. Marijuana is not something different. When science is involved, and it is PROVEN to even be a benefit to ones health, what else can you say to keep this prohibited? You state gateway drug, i reply alcohol and cigs. Cocaine, Ectasy etc. All have their negative affects on ones health which is why this is NOT about that. This is about a free grown herb that is more of a benefit than a negative. Get passed the times guys, change is here and it needs to come swiftly.
ReplyDelete