The weed push is on

[orangeblueorangeblue]

I don't think you can even get weed in the Netherlands now if you're an American.

[exiledgator]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

I don't think you can even get weed in the Netherlands now if you're an American.

In parts, you can.

[exiledgator]

Originally Posted by exiledgator

In parts, you can.

According to that article, 1/3 of their tourism is weed related.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

A cynical person may think that the political class has decided that a stoned populace is easier to manage.

Reminds me of a song from my "yout"

They'll stone you when you're trying to be so good
They'll stone you just like they said they would
They'll stone you when you're trying to go home
They'll stone you when you're there all alone
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned

They'll stone you when you're walking on the street
They'll stone you when you're trying to keep your seat
They'll stone you when your walking on the floor
They'll stone you when your walking to the door
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned

They'll stone you when you're at the breakfast table
They'll stone you when you are young and able
They'll stone you when you're trying to make a buck
They'll stone you and then they'll say good luck
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned

Well They'll stone you and say that it's the end
They'll stone you and then they'll come back again
They'll stone you when you're riding in your car
They'll stone you when you're playing you guitar
Yes But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Alright

Well They'll stone you when you are all alone
They'll stone you when you are walking home
They'll stone you and then say they're all brave
They'll stone you when you're send down in your grave
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned

[Minister_of_Information]

Originally Posted by exiledgator

Stupid Yanks'll pay anything for that stuff.

We have a lot of heavy handed punitive policies against nations with drug laws we consider too liberal. The US has definitely pushed global prohibition as a policy quite forcefully.

[MastaG8r]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

Huh?

I'm saying mass production is possible in neither the US nor the Netherlands for the same gray area legal reasons. Which is why it currently costs so much to manufacture pot. Which is why a change in our federal approach would reduce those costs immediately.

Ergo, were pot legal, the price would plummet to such a point that buying weed versus growing it would be akin to buying tomatoes versus growing them.

Okay. Thanks for the interesting and informative article you linked. I have to say I was disappointed that the author didn't mention the issue of home-growing at all. But I guess IF it is true that the repeal of federal prohibition would cause the prices to plummet as much as some expect, then at that point the tomato analogy would kick in.

For the record I think I've made it pretty clear that I'm totally in favor of legalization - I was just skeptical about the potential for tax revenues from it, that's all. However if the article you linked is correct on this point then my skepticism will be proven unwarranted:

The authors of the refreshingly fact-driven new book, Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know estimate that wholesale ("farm gate") pot prices would fall to about $20 a pound for high-quality varieties and about $5 for the mid-grade stuff. Basing their estimates on a variety of factors, including the costs of production of similar commodities such as tea and, in Canada, industrial hemp, the authors say the wholesale price of legal pot could be about 100 times less than it is now. That doesn't mean it will be quite so ultra-cheap to consumers, since, as a vice not unlike cigarettes and booze, it would be subject to heavy taxation (it's estimated that Colorado will be collecting $100 million a year in pot taxes starting in a few years).

$100 million a year in Colorado alone? Wow. Extrapolate that across 50 states and we're talking about a massive increase in tax revenue combined with substantial savings in the enforcement and penalization costs of existing marijuana laws. That means I'll be able to sit down, spark up a legal spliff and write a creative and passionate letter to my Congressman about reducing the income tax rates accordingly.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Originally Posted by Minister_of_Information

Like anything else that is legal and lacking in inherent supply limitations, it will be commoditized and plummet in price. Thank you Adam Smith.

His hand is yet visible.

[Minister_of_Information]

I think the most significant fiscal benefit of legalization will be in the form of reduced law enforcement costs.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Originally Posted by Minister_of_Information

I think the most significant fiscal benefit of legalization will be in the form of reduced law enforcement costs.

And with the added benefit of reducing the number of people incarcerated, plus all the courts costs, etc, etc.

Arresting and putting young people in jail for the equivalent of drinking a beer is insane.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Originally Posted by Minister_of_Information

I think the most significant fiscal benefit of legalization will be in the form of reduced law enforcement costs.

No question.

Tax benefits sure wouldn't hurt, though.

It's basically win-win, I'd hope some of those revenues would be inherently "baked into" anti-marijuana campaigns by the state & federal governments, though.

Frankly, if we legalized weed and prostitution both would be safer, we'd make money and we could have a whole lot less cops to employ. Which, I guess is why they aren't legal.

[Minister_of_Information]

Of course, legalization will be putting cops, lawyers, and prison guards out of work so you can expect some push back.

[Minister_of_Information]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

No question.

Tax benefits sure wouldn't hurt, though.

It's basically win-win, I'd hope some of those revenues would be inherently "baked into" anti-marijuana campaigns by the state & federal governments, though.

Frankly, if we legalized weed and prostitution both would be safer, we'd make money and we could have a whole lot less cops to employ. Which, I guess is why they aren't legal.

Jinx

[exiledgator]

Originally Posted by MichaelJoeWilliamson

And with the added benefit of reducing the number of people incarcerated, plus all the courts costs, etc, etc.

Arresting and putting young people in jail for the equivalent of drinking a beer is insane.

There will be job loss, but also job creation. Likely at a net loss, but we'd be trading government corrections officers for private farmers, truck drivers, warehouse workers, retail workers, as well as office staff.

[MastaG8r]

Originally Posted by Minister_of_Information

Of course, legalization will be putting cops, lawyers, and prison guards out of work so you can expect some push back.

Nahhh, I don't think it will put cops and prison guards out of work. Just make their work a little easier. And nothing puts lawyers out of work.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

ough.

Frankly, if we legalized weed and prostitution both would be safer, we'd make money and we could have a whole lot less cops to employ.

And what would those SWAT teams have to do if they weren't busy serving no knock warrants for minor amounts of pot?

[orangeblueorangeblue]

I think a lot of people really do believe that in states where weed is legal or decriminalized that it's able to be farmed, manufactured and marketed like anything else. Farms have been shut down and raided in California, this is still an illicit and expensive industry.

[exiledgator]

Originally Posted by MastaG8r

Nahhh, I don't think it will put cops and prison guards out of work. Just make their work a little easier. And nothing puts lawyers out of work.

Agree on lawyers, but I definitely envision the loss of jobs in ATF and DEA.

Could also see construction jobs lost as less prisons are built. Just might have to build more schools instead.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Originally Posted by MichaelJoeWilliamson

And what would those SWAT teams have to do if they weren't busy serving no knock warrants for minor amounts of pot?

Well we could send them to the border.

Unfortunately, with legalized weed most of the cartel's business would be flushed away, so we'd need less border patrol, too.

Damn. It's almost like law enforcement is unnecessary with unnecessary laws.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

Damn. It's almost like law enforcement is unnecessary with unnecessary laws.

Indeed

The corollary is regulation.

More laws and more regulation are big government's friend.

[GolphinGator]

Originally Posted by Minister_of_Information

Of course, legalization will be putting cops, lawyers, and prison guards out of work so you can expect some push back.

Just give them all jobs romoving seeds (when needed) and rolling.