Legalize pot,tax it,balance the budget

[RonMAIDEN]

How do you guys feel? I do feel the majority of this country has laxed atitudes toward marijuana considering what you see on TV,music,movies and even what you can buy at most malls in stores such as Spencer's Gifts and could be a reality of seeing pot legalized with restrictions.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.co.../a-budget-cure-marijuana-taxes.aspx?gt1=33002

 

[004Gunner]

I'm all for legalizing marijuana. I don't smoke it and don't really care who does so on their own time, but it is a senseless money pit for law enforcement agencies imo. NJ has been taxing the hell out of cigarettes and marijuana is certainly a viable source of revenue. I'm sure we have all heard the jokes about alcohol versus marijuana and know that there is a lot of truth behind the comedy. Personally, I find the company of people stoned out of their minds far more enjoyable than the company of those drunk off their arse

 

[Jeff Kleb]

I'm all for legalizing marijuana. I don't smoke it and don't really care who does so on their own time, but it is a senseless money pit for law enforcement agencies imo. NJ has been taxing the hell out of cigarettes and marijuana is certainly a viable source of revenue. I'm sure we have all heard the jokes about alcohol versus marijuana and know that there is a lot of truth behind the comedy. Personally, I find the company of people stoned out of their minds far more enjoyable than the company of those drunk off their arse

While there are many valid arguments both for and against legalizing or at least decriminalizing pot, it is blatantly obvious that our current way of dealing with the problem is not working.

The so-called "War on Drugs" is an abject failure and many believe that more people have died from the fight against drugs than from drugs themselves.

With all of the brain power we have in this great nation, I suppose that some different approach can be implemented. It's just hard to get rid of the 'status quo' and those who think we can so easily legislate morality and common sense.
:bash:


P.S. If all drugs were legal tomorrow, I would still have no desire to experiment or try any of them. Heck, I even hate taking aspirin!

 

[KellyJ]

In Massachusetts, possession of up to a half an ounce (a relatively large amount of marijuana) is punishable only by a fine now. Nothing goes on your record, just an inexpensive fine that can be paid for immediately. I am a somewhat frequent (but know my limits) smoker, so I am all for the decriminalization and legalization of this stuff. It's just sad that even after making the use of marijuana temporarily legal during prohibition, the government still put out ridiculous propaganda crap like this:

What's so wrong with dealing with a weed that just grows naturally out of the ground? You have to smoke something like 20,000 joints in 15 minutes to "overdose" on marijuana. You'd probably just pass out after the fourth or fifth j. What's so bad about getting a few friends together, rolling up a little something, then just chill for a minute and just relax or talk or do whatever. That's not harming anyone is it? Not every person who smokes weed is someone who sits on the couch munching out on a box of Lucky Charms. I smoke and still find myself able to have 2 jobs, take 17 credits in a semester of school, have a lot of friends who both do and don't smoke, and have a healthy relationship with my family. If used in moderation, I can't find a thing wrong with it at all.

The reason that so many crimes are drug related is simply due to the fact that the drugs themselves are illegal, which makes them a desirable good, which means people are more willing to fight over them. I'm not for the legalization of other "hard" drugs (meth, crack, heroine, etc) but the legalization of bud would undoubtedly cut down on drug related crimes.

My two cents. Happy blazing to you and yours

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Yes, legalize and tax it. I, as Jeff said better than I can, believe it's a losing battle in present form.

I'd take it one step further and vote for the taxation to occur at the P.O.S. That way we could work on defunding DEA and the IRS :bigok:

I have nothing against DEA but under the DHS umbrella some things appear to be getting out of hand. I have no doubt that DHS is drunk, drunk on our money. (That rant is because they're trying to kill my business and 'protect' an area that is self-regulated very effectively under current conditions.)
:cheers:

 

[broncosi]

How do you guys feel?

My sister lives in denver and i know you live out there to Ron, isn't weed legal there? just no selling?

 

[broncosi]

got a little info. I know it is legal in Denver and i hate talking about it with people with it comes up in conversation and i use it as leverage. The other person will talk crap for hours that oh there's no chance in hell weed is legal there blah blah blah.

here's a little clip about it that sums it up:

November 2, 2005, 12:24pm

Yesterday voters in Denver approved a ballot measure that "legalizes" possession of up to an ounce of marijuana by residents 21 and older. I use the scare quotes because the measure, which passed by a margin of 54 percent to 46 percent, applies only to city ordinances, not state law. Still, the vote is interesting and potentially significant as a measure of public opinion, especially since the initiative's advocates offered a straightforward defense of marijuana as a recreational intoxicant (the drug is already legal as a medicine in Colorado), arguing that it was a safer alternative to alcohol.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

And in the state of CO it is decriminilized meaning if you get caught with less than an ounce it's considered a class c petty offense which amounts to a $100 fine and the judge could order you to take a drug awareness class.

 

[trd_4runnin]

While I'm not necessarily opposed to decriminalizing it, I don't really see how taxing it would work. I mean it seems like anyone with a little bit of cash can grow the stuff themselves. So with plenty of people growing and selling still, the government can't tax that and it will probably be cheaper than obtaining it the "legal" way. Am I way off base here?

 

[broncosi]

yes it would be tough but at the same time i think there are a lot of people who would rather do it the legal way if there was one. not sure

 

[Ron Helmuth]

While I'm not necessarily opposed to decriminalizing it, I don't really see how taxing it would work. I mean it seems like anyone with a little bit of cash can grow the stuff themselves. So with plenty of people growing and selling still, the government can't tax that and it will probably be cheaper than obtaining it the "legal" way. Am I way off base here?

You're not really off base trd but the analogy I think of is moonshiners.

When liquor was illegal, the government had to enforce that, and that did not work. Or so I hear. A lot before my time.

So now that liquor is legal again-I don't truly think the average backyard still is hurting the government tax coffers. Do they still hunt mooshiners-well yes-but I doubt it is a big focus any longer.

If mary jane were to become legal-then similarly I don't truly believe the government/police would actively look for small growers subverting the tax aspect.

As broncosi alluded to, so many folks would be glad to be buying it in a legal and controlled method that they would be relieved to pay their fair share of tax to keep it that way.

Personally I find it very hypocritical as a parent of teens to discourage weed and "push" alcohol.

If we are to encourage youth to wait until they are 21 to even drink a brewski (another entire soap box) and even then warn them how illegal and bad the weed is-well I can't do it with a straight face myself.

My sons see the effects of alcohol abuse almost daily.

Sorry but there are not too many pot heads standing in the medians -at least not yet

"A buck for a doob?" is a sign I have yet to see-while "I just need a little drink" is a frequent one....

I don't even drive to a bar as I know at bare minimum I will be driving away impaired.

These type of "personal refreshments" are best enjoyed at home with the car keys stowed. Liquor or smoking or food abuse-every adult I know seems to have one vice or another.

Moderation of all things in life is what I try my best to preach...By not allowing yourself to get "too high" you can balance out the "too low" moments of life.

repeat after me now-the utopian national anthem.....


tax us let's give it a try -

I like what this Obama guy is doing-at least change is being made.