Everybody must get stoned(new plan to legalize marijuana in CA would create a $1 billion tokin' tax)

[truthisfreedom]

Source: Salon.com

March 3, 2009 | Can Californians help dig themselves out of their historic fiscal crisis by getting high? Tom Ammiano thinks so, and he isn't smoking a thing.

On Feb. 23, the California State Assembly member introduced legislation that would regulate the cultivation and sale of marijuana, and then tax it. By legalizing pot, the San Francisco lawmaker argues, the state could reap huge new revenues. Currently pot is California's biggest cash crop, with annual sales reaching $14 billion. Vegetables, the state's second hottest agricultural product, take in a mere $5.7 billion. And California's famous grapes? A piddling $2.6 billion.

If passed, the Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act would give California control of pot in a manner similar to alcohol, while prohibiting its purchase to citizens under age 21. The state's tax collectors estimate the measure would bring in about $1.3 billion in new revenues a year.


Ammiano, a former schoolteacher and stand-up comedian, has been one of the most famous activists and politicians in San Francisco for decades. In the late '70s, he jump-started the movement against the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gay teachers in California (he appeared as himself in the film "Milk"), served on the San Francisco Board of Education, and later was president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Salon recently spoke to him about why he thinks making pot legit would have California smiling.

Read more: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/03/03/legalize_marijuana/

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I'm all for this. And I don't smoke pot. Anymore. 8^)

[keopeli]

1. Woo-hoo!

This is a feature article, not news, so you probably want to crosspost in GD.

[truthisfreedom]

2. Somone already did. Sorry, it seemed like news. 8^)

I'm cross-posting here!

[aquart]

5. It's news to me.

Long, long overdue news. But there isn't the smallest sign that the California legislature is possessed of that much common sense.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[the other one]

23. Enjoy your stay here at du

I will be on the lookout for more of your inciteful comments

[sarcasmo]

28. Thanks for coming over from free republic to tell us a plant should always be outlawed.

W, is that you posting from your new home in Dallas?

[DUlover2909]

29. Hi Tom. I made sure I didn't click your link.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Every drug there is has adverse side effects of some kind. THC is non-toxic and not addictive, so it has less adverse side effects than any drug I can think of.

[malta blue]

33. Really?

Would you like some pizza with that?

[Lucky Luciano]

3. Never heard of the Briggs initiative to ban gay teachers. Fucking retarded that is (was).

I don't smoke anymore, but it is so obvious that it should be legailzed and taxed - on so many levels.

[tavalon]

42. Go see Milk

It's in there and besides, it's a damn good movie!

[mike_c]

4. it'll be bittersweet if it happens....

On the one hand, I'm a lifelong stoner and I've dreamed of legalization for decades. On the other hand, legalization will likely destroy the economy of my community, which is largely based on black market marijuana. One big farm in the midwest could easily impoverish half a dozen northern California counties. Sigh.

I'd just grow my own, regardless. But my community would undoubtedly suffer economically.

[AndyTiedye]

6. No Chance of That!

Northern California herb has a reputation. :smoke:
The midwest, not so much. Besides, they won't legalize it there any time soon.

If it were legal, your community would not see a big chunk of its income going up in smoke when CAMP shows up.

[Left Coast2020]

9. I'll believe it when I see it.

Then again, I could be really surprised if it does. People have to make it happen.

:smoke:

[jmowreader]

35. Mike_C's from California, according to his profile

Midwestern herb would have to be grown hydroponically in greenhouses, but that's not a huge problem--some very fine weed is hydroponic.

[XemaSab]

16. .

:smoke:

[dysfunctional press]

30. tourism.

if/when the time comes- change the name of the town to new amsterdam and open some cafes.

btw- i always found it ironic when i'd go to buy weed at humboldt park in chicago.

[drgonzosghost]

7. Think of the impact on the snack food industry too!!

Now THIS is change I can believe in!

[Elidor]

8. WOOT! The Cheetos are on me!

Error: You've already recommended that thread.

[Left Coast2020]

11. Oh, that slipped my economic mind. Yes, jobs for snack food industry.

Good call.

[byronius]

10. Damn, this is so exciting. And Humboldt will still rule forever -- without the expense of hiding.

Sticky red/green and legal!

[cabluedem]

12. If it passes we will have to use blood or urine tests for DWI on weed. nt

[clixtox]

21. Most, if not all, long time cannabis users...

can smoke weed and drive without being impaired!

In fact, the only likely effect is an extra, natural, paranoid feeling that you have to pay attention and be careful of all of the other drivers who might be drunk, on tranquilizers or amphetamines, ketamine, roadrage or otherwise impaired.

Believe it or not!

[cabluedem]

43. Lot of drunks claim the same thing. You toke and drive you get a DWI. nt

[dysfunctional press]

31. since it can stay in the system for up to 30 days- that might not be too effective...

i've always felt that one of the reasons that it's remained and remains illegal is because of the lack of a reputable way to measure the level of 'intoxication' in drivers.

[jmowreader]

38. That's one reason it should presently remain illegal

I'm a realist. Right now, the only test they've got detects cannabinoid metabolites, which are fat soluble and remain in your body LONG after you've come down.

If we do not have a test that measures actual intoxication--levels or no levels--law enforcement will change from busting people for possession to busting them for "driving under the influence of marijuana." Cops will carry saliva drug tests with them and everyone who gets pulled over for even a burned-out taillight will be ordered to take one or surrender their driver's license. They'll probably be able to get a positive on half the people they pull over--not because pot smokers are traffic menaces, but because a lot of people will smoke it, even if only on the weekends, if it's legal. Under the logic our majestic legal system will use, they can prove you smoked marijuana because metabolites are in your system, so you were obviously stoned when you were driving. They have precedent dating back to 1954--the year the Breathalyzer was invented--that says if an intoxicating chemical is present in a biochemical test sample, you're a Menace to Your Fellow Motorists.

I've said it many times: the day they invent a test that can be administered by a patrol officer, and that measures actual marijuana intoxication, pot can be legalized. Until then, no.

[olddad56]

13. This is my plan...

decriminalize pot. Let everyone grow 6 plants. Make them pay $xx for a permit to grow the pot. On the application for the permit, require a map of where the plants are. Send out an inspector. If they grow more than the legally allowed amount, bust them, take away their privlege. If not, let them do as they please with the pot. Smoke it, sell it, whatever. This allows people to grow it, smoke it, and at the same time knocks the bottom out of the black market.

[Hekate]

17. Instead, use the template for making wine and beer at home for personal use...

http://hubpages.com/hub/Beer-And-Wine-Making
>snip<
Due to most of those making their own beverages, federal and state laws on beer and wine making seldom enter the picture. Most states limit the amount of beverage that can be made for family use is five gallons per year. Some states stipulate that the grapes also have to be grown by the individual making their own wine, but many groups are working to get these laws changed to allow individuals involved in beer and wine making to be able to buy their grapes from any vineyard. >snip<

http://www.lifeinvine.com/wine_press/HomeWine.html
>snip<
Today, U.S. law still permits fermenting up to 200 gallons of wine a year for personal consumption. In 1992, the Wine Spectator reported that 400,000 Americans made about 2.5 million cases of wine from grapes. >snip<

http://www.nj.gov/oag/abc/downloads/hwmp.pdf
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL
P.O. BOX 087, 140 EAST FRONT STREET
TRENTON, NJ 08625-0087

APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL PERMIT FOR
HOME MANUFACTURE OF WINE

This Permit will authorize the home manufacture of up to 200
gallons of wine for personal consumption only. Product manufactured
under the authority of this Permit may not be sold nor may it be
used for any purpose other than personal consumption at the address
which appears below, by the permittee, his/her family and their
bona-fide guests. This application must be accompanied by a fee of
$15.00 in the form of a Money Order or Check payable to the
Division of A.B.C.
>snip<

:hi:

[earcandle]

19. not to mention provides income.... to those who grow. who will never get jobs anyway, so it saves

big on not only welfare payments, but also on crime costs. 

makes sense teacher.

Besides, it is medicinal. 
A lot of us are going to get glaucoma from all of the 
blood pressure of growing old in a ratfink economy.

Pot lowers blood pressure, and kills pain.  Or distracts
from pain... hmmmm.. not sure how that works. 

far better than pharma... 

[dysfunctional press]

41. far better than pharma...? Hardly.

i'm a chronic pain patient who smokes plenty- but if i had to choose between my methadone and my pot for pain relief- my bong would be in the dumpster.

[dysfunctional press]

40. 6 plants isn't very much at all, especially since there's only one harvest/year.

currently in illinois, you can have up to 5 plants, and it's only a misdemeanor.

[silverojo]

14. Here's what's so odd about the government

They're so helpless to control marijuana when it's illegal...but you watch, once they legalize it, not one freakin' leaf will escape the tax man's watchful eye.

Yet we supposedly can't control the influx of drug shipments, illegal aliens, or anything else?

Sounds as if the government wanted drug use to become entrenched in society, so that they could eventually rake in billions by taxing drugs (starting with marijuana).

If people hadn't started using this shit in the first place, there wouldn't be a market for it, legal or illegal.

WTF is with people wanting to fry their own brains for "fun", whether it's with drugs, alcohol, or huffing? How boring must people be, that this is their chief form of entertainment?

And before I forget, what's with people wanting to inhale cigarette smoke to "relieve stress" or "look cool". If you want to relieve stress, take up yoga. If you want to look cool, buy some Foster Grants and leave the smoldering pacifier alone. :rofl:

[earcandle]

20. LOLOLOLOL!

cute.

[XemaSab]

15. I've got 1/3 of an acre ready and waiting

The tomatoes can wait. :D

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

18. Stoning people went out of fashion a long time ago.

[Catamount]

24. Me too! Great post--thanks!

Non smoker in every way, these days but have always believed that pot is the answer to most of the worlds problems, especially if you also put hemp in the equation-- oh what a world it would be--but I'm afraid to believe that this will actually pass.
Keeping my fingers crossed though!


K&R
:smoke:

[RadiationTherapy]

25. The sensible, moral thing to do.

[DUlover2909]

26. Legalization would relieve violence in Mexico and keep our money here.

I want it legal so I can eat pot-cookies and brownies. I don't like smoking it.

[sarcasmo]

27. It would not only help Cali, but it would help the whole freaking Country put the corner street

dealers out of the weed business. The stuff you get with a Doctors note is much better than the street stuff, IMHO of course.

[dysfunctional press]

32. yep- you don't see too many illicit corner beer or cigarette dealers...

the way it is now- most minors have an easier time getting pot than beer or cigs.

[jmowreader]

39. Everyone, including repukes, should support shutting down street dealers

by legalizing pot. Look how dramatically alcohol-related violence in America's Major Cities dropped after the Cullen-Harrison Act (the law that amended the "non-intoxicating" provision of the Volstead Act from 0.5% to 3.2%) was enacted.

[OneBlueSky]

34. "And I don't smoke pot. Anymore. " . . .

me either . . . or any less, for that matter . . . :hippie:

[carlyhippy]

36. well, there is one way to get outta debt, good for them

I don't smoke either, but I have always said if alcohol can be legal, so should pot.

[pipi_k]

37. Pretty sneaky plan...

Because even if it doesn't help the economy, who's gonna care?

:7