Taxing marijuana to save the economy?
About a month ago, my brother said to me, “If they legalized and taxed marijuana, the economy would rebound in a month, and the street price would drop in half.” We talked about it, bitched about the current system, and determined that nothing but good could come out of such things.
Low and behold, lawmakers in California have now started asking these same questions. According to reports, marijuana is California’s single largest cash crop, and racks up a whopping 14 billion dollars each year. That’s just in the state of California. The report also noted that by legalizing and taxing marijuana, the street price would probably be cut in half.
If you ask me, I don’t know how you can go wrong with this. To satisfy the naysayers, I would make super-strict rules for driving while impaired much stricter than current laws for DUI. I mean, its not like potheads are really going to leave the couch anyway.
Critics also tout that usage would increase by 30 or 40%. To this idiot, that would boost Calfiornia’s already largest cash crop up to 19.6 billion dollars per year. Even if you tax the shit out of it, say 25%, that would give the state of California just shy of 5 billon dollars cash each year for allowing people to do things they are doing anyways.
If that’s not enough, imagine how much the illegal drug smuggling coming up from Mexico would be hampered. Why would anyone want to buy illegal, dirt-seedy shwag from Mexico when they could purchase perfectly-legal, medical-grade kind bud for half the cost?
Of course, something like this has absolutely no chance of ever passing. President Obama has made clear during his campaign that he does not support the legalization of marijuana. And President Obama so far seems to get his way.
So I guess for now, fixing the economy without marijuana is nothing but a bowl dream. Ah well.
I think you are forgetting the fact that there would be so many other implications involved, that it would almost “ruin” any fun associated with being “able” to smoke.
Let’s say they made it legal… Great! Now, the government is gonna tax the living hell out of it, right? Right. So, they may have started off with high taxes and high grade “medicinal” quality weed… but then they get greedy (like every big company does… what… you don’t think the government is a “company”? Trust me, the GOV is the biggest ‘company’ in the world)
Anyhoo, so they started with medicinal weed with high taxes.. but then they get greedy and raise the tax… ok, fine… then they get greedier and cut the quality (saving money)… eh, watever… then they cut quality again… then before you know it, you’re smoking schwag from Mexico because the federales have now begun negotiations with the US for importation of weed to help stimulate their economy (which happens to save our economy money cuz it’s cheaper than our crappy schwag)…
You can’t forget also, that just because the GOV makes it legal… there would still be rules regarding the workplace and such… most workplaces would probably still test on a regular basis… if you fail.. you’re fired.
Just my two cents…
Comment by Josh on March 3, 2009
ahem….. Employers test for illegal …..ILLEGAL
Drugs.. How can they fire you for something legal?
They fire you for drinking beer and smoking cigs
On the weekend? Legalizing marijuana would free up
Some space in prison for real criminals… Cali makes.
Millions a year on weed. .. Millions!!!! Some advice
For all these lame ass politicians … Multiply millions
And millions by 50…. Simple as that.. Why couldn’t
Arnold be president? Weed has no side effects.
No hangover.. And you can’t overdose. Its natural
And helps a lot with ANY pain or sickness.
Give the people what they want..the people rule
America right? The govt is stupid.
Comment by Jason on December 1, 2009
first off all i fuckin do is smoke a lot of pot. why cant the government grow it themselves and make complete profit off it? Obama hasnt done shit and legalizing marijuana would be his smartest decision yet. instead he decides to pass health care reform… if it was legal just me and 5 of my freinds would buy like 3 ounces a week. obama sucks ass at president
Comment by richie appel on May 6, 2010
richie appel is the fuckin shit. and hes mad smart. ive smoked soooooo many blunts while driving and havent ever been in an accident. im also dank at the drums and im in a band called mudvayne
Comment by matt mcdonough on May 6, 2010
yo these nigs know what there talkin about. reefer makes my dumbass alot smarter and i only pass my tests when im high as fuck. Obama does suck and hes a liar
Comment by Bill Lunt on May 19, 2010
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
Comment by mike hawk on May 19, 2010