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Can Marijuana Help Rescue California's Economy?

Gibberish said:
It's about time. There is a huge revenue potential for Marijuana, not only for the state in taxes but for businesses. By legalizing Marijuana we will be bringing new businesses to life and, while lessening the need for criminal dealers, bring out the entrepreneur in dealers to run a successful and legit business.

There is so much business potential for not only suppliers but for marketers. I can see expansive social networks and critique businesses similar to beer and wine.
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Marijuana requires a perscription, by law perscriptions are exempt from taxes.
 
disneydude said:
Taken straight from post #7



from post #2:
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I am still missing where I say "every", In fact in later posts i discuss the difference between those who use it daily and those who do it recreationally withmoderation. FAIL
 
marduc said:
First off, California already collects taxes on medical marijuana.



CA Imposes State Tax On Medical Marijuana Dealers - cbs5.com

Secondly this thread is about legislation to allow distribution and selling of NON-MEDICAL Marijuana. A legalized venue of distribution with a $50/OZ tax to be levied upon the growers, and additional sales tax at the point of distribution is estimated at generating over a $1 Billion in revenue.

from the article in the OP:






The fail is not the thread. nor the article it is based on.


and on the subject of California's proposed legalization Congresswoman Sanchez weighed in on it saying "maybe it would be a good pilot program":

YouTube - Maybe Marijuana Should Be Legalized & Regulated" Congresswoman Sanchez

The first half of the clip is talking about Mexican cartel violence, from about 2:40 on it is on the subject of legalization.
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ahh thanks for the clarification. that said, why is it taxed if its medication?
 
Reverend_Hellh0und said:
I am still missing where I say "every", In fact in later posts i discuss the difference between those who use it daily and those who do it recreationally withmoderation. FAIL
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Sorry Rev....your words speak for themself. FAIL:doh
 
Reverend_Hellh0und said:
Marijuana requires a perscription, by law perscriptions are exempt from taxes.
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I don't think the article is speaking of prescription marijuana when it speaks of legalizing marijuana, seeing as prescription marijuana is already legal in California.

Legalizing marijuana to be bought and sold legally will be taxed. No different than cigarettes.
 
Reverend_Hellh0und said:
Yeah by creating a state of unmotivated buffoons. That sure would help the california economy.
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You have to think about this though.

Would you rather have legal marijuana sold by convenience stores or violent gangs and cartels based on marijuana distributorship and sales?
 
Reverend_Hellh0und said:
ahh thanks for the clarification. that said, why is it taxed if its medication?
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I already showed why it was.

The board ultimately decided that medical marijuana was not exempt from sales taxes because it was not dispensed by a pharmacist or approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a medication.
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One little word "prescription".. medical MJ is not a prescription medicine (ie pharmaceutically distributed)
 
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As a cop for many years I can say without a doubt that I never had to fight somebody that was stoned. I have almost been killed or had to kill a few drunks. I have had to fight dozens of drunks.

Prohibition doesn't work. We already know this. Decriminalize it, tax it, sell it. It's not nearly as volatile an intoxicant as alcohol, which is legal. As has already been pointed out, we spend a lot of money on combating this substance through enforcement and incarceration. It would be a major win economically. The amount of collateral crime associated with it would begin to subside, jail and prison populations would be slightly reduced and the costs associated with overcrowding would go down, medical costs to jails and prisons would go down, you could use the tax money to improve rehabilitative programs and put more enforcement resources on the street against truly destructive drugs like meth, heroin, and crack.

Legalize it now.
 
Just as I thought when I first heard of AB 390 (Ca's proposed Marijuana, control, regulation, and education act) it would generate a minor buzz and gradually pick up steam.

There were a few snippets here and there immediately after it was proposed, now underscored on the new found media spotlight on Mexican drug cartel violence it is starting to build steam, this is a ball that now that it has started rolling is just going to keep on building more and more momentum.

Larry King is going to have a debate on marijuana legalization between Congressman Ron Paul and Steven Baldwin (yeah the actor) tonight. Thanks for the spotlight Larry (not that I am enthralled at the participants of the debate, but I love the prime time high visibility audience for this issue)!!
 
marduc said:
Just as I thought when I first heard of AB 390 (Ca's proposed Marijuana, control, regulation, and education act) it would generate a minor buzz and gradually pick up steam.

There were a few snippets here and there immediately after it was proposed, now underscored on the new found media spotlight on Mexican drug cartel violence it is starting to build steam, this is a ball that now that it has started rolling is just going to keep on building more and more momentum.

Larry King is going to have a debate on marijuana legalization between Congressman Ron Paul and Steven Baldwin (yeah the actor) tonight. Thanks for the spotlight Larry (not that I am enthralled at the participants of the debate, but I love the prime time high visibility audience for this issue)!!
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I think Steven Bladwin is a nice guy(at least from what I have seen on tv about him) but Ron Paul will deal complete pawnage on his ass.
 
Lerxst said:
As a cop for many years I can say without a doubt that I never had to fight somebody that was stoned. I have almost been killed or had to kill a few drunks. I have had to fight dozens of drunks.

Prohibition doesn't work. We already know this. Decriminalize it, tax it, sell it. It's not nearly as volatile an intoxicant as alcohol, which is legal. As has already been pointed out, we spend a lot of money on combating this substance through enforcement and incarceration. It would be a major win economically. The amount of collateral crime associated with it would begin to subside, jail and prison populations would be slightly reduced and the costs associated with overcrowding would go down, medical costs to jails and prisons would go down, you could use the tax money to improve rehabilitative programs and put more enforcement resources on the street against truly destructive drugs like meth, heroin, and crack.

Legalize it now.
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Are you familiar with LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition)???

I am sure they would love to hear from you and have you among their ranks, regardless of what capacity your support is.


Edit: oops was going to post the link to their site: LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - Cops Say Legalize Drugs
 
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marduc said:
Are you familiar with LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition)???

I am sure they would love to hear from you and have you among their ranks, regardless of what capacity your support is.


Edit: oops was going to post the link to their site: LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - Cops Say Legalize Drugs
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Lol...as cool as that group sounds, realistically speaking I could never join it until I completely retired. I would be run out of a very good job and right now, I like providing for my family. I would be crucified.

Although I will tell you, I've sat through many staff meetings in which we openly discussed legalizing weed. The Drug Task Force agents were all behind, as was 2/3rds of the staff. You just don't say that **** publicly in the bible belt though. It's a good way to have the conservatives here destroy your career and even damage your personal property. They'll pull that board right out of their ass and beat you down with it when it comes to legalizing marijuana.
 
Lerxst said:
Lol...as cool as that group sounds, realistically speaking I could never join it until I completely retired. I would be run out of a very good job and right now, I like providing for my family. I would be crucified.

Although I will tell you, I've sat through many staff meetings in which we openly discussed legalizing weed. The Drug Task Force agents were all behind, as was 2/3rds of the staff. You just don't say that **** publicly in the bible belt though. It's a good way to have the conservatives here destroy your career and even damage your personal property. They'll pull that board right out of their ass and beat you down with it when it comes to legalizing marijuana.
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Unfortunately this is a very sad, but true testament to the ongoing and way too longstanding reality of the situation. the vast majority of members of LEAP are retired for a reason.

The level of anti-prohibition support within law and drug enforcement ranks is kept suppressed because of the ramifications of publicly saying the truth on the issue.

I empathize with your position. Livelihood, family and career are without question paramount to stating ones views on the reality of the situation. This is changing, but unfortunately it is still tantamount to taking an axe to the bottom of your boat.

I know of many who off the record are anti prohibition, yet cannot publicly express this due to the ramifications. Support is more widespread than most would believe.
 
marduc said:
Unfortunately this is a very sad, but true testament to the ongoing and way too longstanding reality of the situation. the vast majority of members of LEAP are retired for a reason.

The level of anti-prohibition support within law and drug enforcement ranks is kept suppressed because of the ramifications of publicly saying the truth on the issue.

I empathize with your position. Livelihood, family and career are without question paramount to stating ones views on the reality of the situation. This is changing, but unfortunately it is still tantamount to taking an axe to the bottom of your boat.

I know of many who off the record are anti prohibition, yet cannot publicly express this due to the ramifications. Support is more widespread than most would believe.
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You'd be surprised just how many veteran officers have let people walk on weed charges. I've dumped peoples personal stash on the side of the road so many times I couldn't bother to count it. It's a lot of paperwork for a misdemeanor crime that could literally ruin their chances of getting many jobs. It's also a good way to turn snitches. Now when it hit the felony amount I took action. You just don't walk from a felony, but Jimmy Boy with his little baggie and one hitter usually got to step with a warning. Hell, I let speeders off with a warning, somebody holding a joint is less dangerous to society so why not?
 
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I just wonder how this is going to work out with people who get random drug testing at work.I know where I work,we get tested all the time.This could cause a big hiccup,in sales.Unless you work for the state or feds.I have friends who work for both, for over 15 years and never have been tested.

By the way, weed has been California's largest cash crop a number of years.
 
Yeah by creating a state of unmotivated buffoons.
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Please explain, how would legalizing marijuana create a state of unmotivated buffoons? A step-by-step analysis would be most welcome.
 
Harry Guerrilla said:
You have to think about this though.

Would you rather have legal marijuana sold by convenience stores or violent gangs and cartels based on marijuana distributorship and sales?
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That's not really a good argument. Replace marijuana with heroin. Or child porn. Or anthrax.
 
I had long been a supporter of not legalizing marijuana. This is one of the issues that folks at DP have changed my mind on. I do not smoke, nor do I have any intention of smoking. My reason for the legalization of marijuana is to end the stupid, money wasting war on drugs, and use the money towards something far more valuable: rehabilitation. Not every person who tries alcohol or marijuana becomes an addict, but some do. And with the out of control costs of mental healthcare/rehab services, many of these people will remain addicted...and continue to be unproductive members of society. With my plan, the war on drugs is abandoned. Marijuana is taxed. All monies spent on the war on drugs, and 25% of all taxes collected from marijuana (and alcohol, too) are placed in a fund for rehabilitation services. Those that want to get help for their addiction, but who cannot afford it, with be "scholarshiped" (based on a screening with specific criteria). Other services that these people can receive would be temporary subsidized housing and job training.

Our money would be far better spent attempting to rehabiliated those whose only crime is marijuana use than locking these people up in jails.

Disclaimer: This is the bare bones of my plan. If you want more details, please ask.
 
CaptainCourtesy said:
I had long been a supporter of not legalizing marijuana. This is one of the issues that folks at DP have changed my mind on. I do not smoke, nor do I have any intention of smoking. My reason for the legalization of marijuana is to end the stupid, money wasting war on drugs, and use the money towards something far more valuable: rehabilitation. Not every person who tries alcohol or marijuana becomes an addict, but some do. And with the out of control costs of mental healthcare/rehab services, many of these people will remain addicted...and continue to be unproductive members of society. With my plan, the war on drugs is abandoned. Marijuana is taxed. All monies spent on the war on drugs, and 25% of all taxes collected from marijuana (and alcohol, too) are placed in a fund for rehabilitation services. Those that want to get help for their addiction, but who cannot afford it, with be "scholarshiped" (based on a screening with specific criteria). Other services that these people can receive would be temporary subsidized housing and job training.

Our money would be far better spent attempting to rehabiliated those whose only crime is marijuana use than locking these people up in jails.

Disclaimer: This is the bare bones of my plan. If you want more details, please ask.
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Just because I support legalization doesn't mean I actually believe people that smoke it are smart.
I honestly don't agree with it but its not my choice.

I have an addictive personality. I rarely drink alcohol and I stopped smoking weed about 8-9 years ago.

I have a hard time quitting smoking cigarettes because of me.
 
Harry Guerrilla said:
Commerce between the states does not mean within the states.

They have the authority.
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Wrong that commerce clause gives the federal government the right to ban any good for sale/possession. It is the only thing holding the DEA together.
 
Harry Guerrilla said:
Yea but there is no violent black market for anthrax.

Child porn has a victim whether its legal or not.

Heroin and marijuana are generally victimless.
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Firstly, when you make a qualifier as "generally" you weaken your argument, considerably. Secondly, my argument is around the legality, not whether there is a victim.
 
thabigred said:
Wrong that commerce clause gives the federal government the right to ban any good for sale/possession. It is the only thing holding the DEA together.
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With historical perspective in mind it was created to stop the states from raising tariffs on other states for protectionist reasons.

It was clearly designed to regulate commerce between the states.
 
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