kswift420 Posted January 4, 2014 Member ID: 1071 Group: **- Inactive Registered Users Followers: 22 Topic Count: 30 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 879 Content Per Day: 0.16 Reputation: 261 Achievement Points: 5414 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/31/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: June 5, 2017 Birthday: 12/29/1974 Posted January 4, 2014 On January 1, sales and use of recreational marijuana became legal in the state of Colorado. Washington State and the nation of Uruguay will follow later this year. Other states such as Oregon and California have ballot initiatives scheduled that may legalize marijuana there as well. It is a virtual certainty that if these initial experiments work out, as was previously the case with casino gambling, it will spread rapidly to other states. Several factors appear to be at work in the drive to legalize recreational marijuana. First is the abject failure of the war on marijuana, which, surprisingly, began right at the moment when prohibition of alcohol was ending. RELATED: POTENOMICS--THE BIRTH OF THE LEGAL WEED INDUSTRY Polls are unanimous in showing rising support for marijuana legalization, especially among younger Americans. Opponents are gradually dying off, literally, according to an April 2013 Pew poll. In October, Gallup found that support among all Americans for legalization exceeded maintenance of the status quo for the first time since it began asking the question in 1969. Importantly, support for marijuana legalization is not driven mainly by those who use it now or would like to; that is, it’s not just an issue of self-interest. Rather, it is because non-users no longer see marijuana as a gateway drug that automatically leads to the use of more serious drugs, according to a December Associated Press/Gfk poll. In fact, a rising percentage of people believe that legalization of marijuana will actually curb the use of harder drugs--17 percent now from 10 percent in 2010. RELATED: 7 BARELY LEGAL POT PRODUCTS FROM A BUDDING INDUSTRY Perhaps the dominant factor driving marijuana legalization is the desperate search for new revenue by cash-strapped state governments. The opportunity to tax marijuana is potentially a significant source of new revenue, as well as a way of cutting spending on prisons and law enforcement. The California Secretary of State’s office, for example, estimates savings in the hundreds of millions of dollars from both factors. The following summary is from a proposed state ballot initiative in California (No. 1617). Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Reduced costs in the low hundreds of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments related to enforcing certain marijuana-related offenses, handling the related criminal cases in the court system, and incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. Potential net additional tax revenues in the low hundreds of millions of dollars annually related to the production and sale of marijuana, a portion of which is required to be spent on education, health care, public safety, drug abuse education and treatment, and the regulation of commercial marijuana activities. Interestingly, anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist has given his blessing to taxes on marijuana, since it is an extension of existing taxes on cigarettes and liquor applied to a comparable commodity, rather than a new tax per se. The potential revenue obviously depends a lot on details that are presently unknown—the ultimate price of legal marijuana, which could be substantially lower than the present price in illegal markets; the tax rate; the elasticity of demand for marijuana; and the extent to which states and the federal government permit a legal marijuana market to function without crippling regulation. RELATED: 11 SURPRISING THINGS THAT ARE TAXABLE A 2010 Rand Corporation report found that many financial estimates of marijuana legalization are simply unknowable since existing research is limited by the availability of data for a market that has long been illegal. A new Rand report on marijuana use in the state of Washington now estimates that usage may be 2 to 3 times greater than previously estimated. It is not surprising that revenue considerations should be critical in the marijuana legalization movement. That was previously the reason why cigarettes were not banned until the 1920s despite a strong nationwide movement to do so. In the wake of Prohibition, governments simply needed cigarette tax revenue too badly. And when Prohibition ended, the need for new revenue after the Great Depression decimated government budgets was a driving force. Indeed, according to author Daniel Okrent, expectations of the revenue from taxing legal liquor were so great in 1932 that some people thought it might permit the repeal of income taxes. It’s worth remembering that in 1900, taxes on alcohol and cigarettes constituted half of all federal revenues. Indeed, the only reason Prohibition was possible in the first place was that the income tax established in 1913, which was greatly expanded by World War I, would replace the revenue lost from the liquor tax after Prohibition. The principal opponents of marijuana legalization are industries that presently benefit from it being illegal. For example, it is reported that the beer industry invested heavily against a 2010 marijuana legalization initiative in California that ultimately failed. Other vested interests that currently benefit from the outlawing of marijuana include police unions, the private prison industry, prison guard unions, and pharmaceutical companies fearing that low-cost legal marijuana might replace profitable high-cost prescription drugs such as Vicodin. I don’t have the data to prove it, but I have long suspected that virtually every economist favors the legalization of marijuana and probably most hard drugs as well--regulated as has long been the case with alcohol and, increasingly, tobacco. The famous economists Milton Friedman, Gary Becker and Robert Barro have written many columns advocating legalization, and I am not aware of a single economic analysis in opposition to legalization. I think most economists believe it’s just a repetition of the mistake of Prohibition. I am doubtful that the legalization of marijuana or any other currently prohibited drug is likely at the federal level any time soon. There is no movement in Congress to do so and politicians such as former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson and Baltimore mayor Kurt Schmoke who supported the idea got nowhere. It will happen at the grass roots level in states that permit voters to propose initiatives and at the federal level only after we have enough years of experience to have a good understanding of the consequences. It may take another 20 years, but eventually it will happen. KingStinger!, Leadfinger and Hemps 3
Devildog4355 Posted January 4, 2014 Member ID: 15237 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 27 Topic Count: 93 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 958 Content Per Day: 0.22 Reputation: 580 Achievement Points: 6679 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 1 Joined: 06/30/13 Status: Offline Last Seen: June 20, 2021 Birthday: 05/04/1992 Posted January 4, 2014 Great read and great post and I agree Awards
little_old_man Posted January 4, 2014 Member ID: 1194 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 40 Topic Count: 436 Topics Per Day: 0.08 Content Count: 6692 Content Per Day: 1.21 Reputation: 11691 Achievement Points: 53094 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 76 Joined: 02/27/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: April 16, 2023 Birthday: 04/15/1960 Posted January 4, 2014 Most people who are completely against legalization are the direct result of about 90 years of mis-information by the government. I don't like to use it myself but I rarely drink either. I just prefer living life without stimulants, I've always been that way. But I don't have a problem with other's using it, no more than drinking responsibly. My main concern with complete legalization is over-use by young kids that use it as an escape from reality and do whatever is necessary to get more. I've seen it many times where I live, kids come to class stoned and it becomes like a cup of coffee, they can't do anything without having a joint before facing the world. Some stay that way until their late 20's (or longer) when they finally realize that living with their parents, and the inability to get and keep a job just "might" have something to do with being stoned all of the time. kswift420, eidolonFIRE, Leadfinger and 2 others 5 Awards
kswift420 Posted January 4, 2014 Member ID: 1071 Group: **- Inactive Registered Users Followers: 22 Topic Count: 30 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 879 Content Per Day: 0.16 Reputation: 261 Achievement Points: 5414 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/31/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: June 5, 2017 Birthday: 12/29/1974 Author Posted January 4, 2014 i only drink before bed a couple of 7@7's and a lot of pot to sleep or i will be up all night ! just started with the drinking ! been whiskey dry for more than 8 mouths ! cant sleep
Leadfinger Posted January 4, 2014 Member ID: 4888 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 56 Topic Count: 69 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 2020 Content Per Day: 0.45 Reputation: 3795 Achievement Points: 26312 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 3 Joined: 01/12/13 Status: Offline Last Seen: July 29, 2023 Birthday: 08/29/1962 Posted January 4, 2014 Great write up Kswift420 Very informative Most people who are completely against legalization are the direct result of about 90 years of mis-information by the government. I don't like to use it myself but I rarely drink either. I just prefer living life without stimulants, I've always been that way. But I don't have a problem with other's using it, no more than drinking responsibly. My main concern with complete legalization is over-use by young kids that use it as an escape from reality and do whatever is necessary to get more. I've seen it many times where I live, kids come to class stoned and it becomes like a cup of coffee, they can't do anything without having a joint before facing the world. Some stay that way until their late 20's (or longer) when they finally realize that living with their parents, and the inability to get and keep a job just "might" have something to do with being stoned all of the time. As an occasional recreational connoisseur (har) I firmly believe that when it comes to the legality of marijuana vs alcohol lawmakers have it backwards. In my opinion alcohol is way more intoxicating and damaging to the body and incredibly destructive to families and the workforce. Marijuana just doesn't create the problems that are so well documented with Alcohol. However, I agree 100% with LOM as far as the use by young kids and how it effects their school work and attendance in a negative way. I know because I was one of them for a short time when I was younger, thankfully I was influenced by successful family members to "snap the F&%# out of it" and get myself together. This I believe would be the #1 issue with legalization is keeping kids from screwing up at a young age and end up a floor sweeping stoner. kswift420, Damage_inc- and deerejon 3 Awards
Leadfinger Posted January 4, 2014 Member ID: 4888 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 56 Topic Count: 69 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 2020 Content Per Day: 0.45 Reputation: 3795 Achievement Points: 26312 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 3 Joined: 01/12/13 Status: Offline Last Seen: July 29, 2023 Birthday: 08/29/1962 Posted January 4, 2014 (edited) Yeah . . . . . . .double posted just read the first post twice . . . . . . . . Edited January 4, 2014 by Leadfinger Awards
eidolonFIRE Posted January 4, 2014 Member ID: 2759 Group: **- Inactive Registered Users Followers: 17 Topic Count: 199 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 3496 Content Per Day: 0.70 Reputation: 3021 Achievement Points: 26464 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 3 Joined: 08/22/11 Status: Offline Last Seen: June 16, 2017 Birthday: 07/27/1990 Posted January 4, 2014 Legalization is a good move. If we can get past the initial "bounce back" reaction without saying "oh my, this is out of control", we will be better off. (I'm saying initially there will be a spike in marijuana usage but it will normalize given time) Leadfinger and kswift420 2
KingStinger! Posted January 4, 2014 Member ID: 2465 Group: +++ Minecraft Head Admin Followers: 30 Topic Count: 170 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 1818 Content Per Day: 0.36 Reputation: 1937 Achievement Points: 14560 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 2 Joined: 05/06/11 Status: Offline Last Seen: April 20 Birthday: 04/17/1972 Device: Windows Posted January 4, 2014 The obesity rate will sky rocket.. Who dont get the munchies when smoking the weed.. kswift420 and Leadfinger 2 Awards
MikeB Posted January 4, 2014 Member ID: 59 Group: *** Clan Members Followers: 12 Topic Count: 140 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 2174 Content Per Day: 0.38 Reputation: 2415 Achievement Points: 15578 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 13 Joined: 09/01/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: 2 hours ago Device: Windows Posted January 4, 2014 Legalize It !!! Be alot less violence in the world !! kswift420 and Leadfinger 2 Awards
Damage_inc- Posted January 4, 2014 Member ID: 2048 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 294 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 6689 Content Per Day: 1.27 Reputation: 4709 Achievement Points: 48999 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 5 Joined: 12/15/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: November 29, 2023 Birthday: 05/30/1967 Posted January 4, 2014 shit when we were kids we would get so drunk and be puking all the time -look some old timer always brings kids into this-no one said legalize it for kids . the law would be for an adult to make the choice to either use a drug more destructive like alcohol or smoke marywanna- Dark Asylumn and kswift420 2 Awards
Freeze Posted January 5, 2014 Member ID: 20465 Group: **- Inactive Registered Users Followers: 0 Topic Count: 2 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 18 Content Per Day: 0.00 Reputation: 6 Achievement Points: 117 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 10/28/13 Status: Offline Last Seen: March 29, 2014 Birthday: 10/25/1988 Posted January 5, 2014 (edited) The obesity rate will sky rocket.. Who dont get the munchies when smoking the weed.. ppfff it already is sky rocketed LOL seriously tho that really only happens when you smoke the first few times and as you get used to it you don't really get munchies Edited January 5, 2014 by Freeze
little_old_man Posted January 5, 2014 Member ID: 1194 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 40 Topic Count: 436 Topics Per Day: 0.08 Content Count: 6692 Content Per Day: 1.21 Reputation: 11691 Achievement Points: 53094 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 76 Joined: 02/27/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: April 16, 2023 Birthday: 04/15/1960 Posted January 5, 2014 shit when we were kids we would get so drunk and be puking all the time -look some old timer always brings kids into this-no one said legalize it for kids . the law would be for an adult to make the choice to either use a drug more destructive like alcohol or smoke marywanna- So much of what you write makes sense now. BUDMAN and Leadfinger 2 Awards
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