So we were talking about what happens when marijuana is legalized,

[hedgehog]

and my husband suggested it be taxed at the same rate as cigarettes. I didn't think that was right, since cigarettes actually kill people, and he said, well, what about alcohol?

Then we both agreed it would be legal to grow your own, but illegal to sell to minors, but what about minors growing their own, and what about minors selling to minors? And would it be minors, or under 21 like booze and cigarettes?

Note: entire discussion inspired by noting large number of hydroponic supply shops on Erie Bvld, Syracuse.

[Dreamer Tatum]

1. Anyone who thinks legal weed will raise significant tax revenue is crazy

Why? Because you can grow your own high quality weed and people are entirely used to fabricating their own joints after decades of doing just that. You can pick up a High Times from 35 years ago and become adept at growing your own marijuana.

Cigarettes are machine-made and have additives besides tobacco. Alcohol that won't kill or blind you is still fairly cumbersome to distill. Therefore, it's easy to tax those: people want quality and consistency.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Tax is not the main fiscal benefit

CA Prop 19.
Summary of estimated fiscal impact:

Savings of up to several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments on the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. Unknown but potentially major tax, fee, and benefit assessment revenues to state and local government related to the production and sale of marijuana products.

Because not everyone has the time or place or physical ability to grow, and because there are 'value added' products which use marijuana, not the term 'marijuana products'. Edibles are a major market medically speaking, and like all foods, some people just make them better than others, hence the food service industry. So as the summary says, unknown but potentially major. I think that is damn accurate language.

[Kali]

5. talking about americans here

the vast majority too lazy or too long been convinced they can't do ANYTHING for themselves - they will buy premade, additive infested, corporate crap as soon as it is marketed to them - "new cherry flavored weed with breath freshener, only 9.95 at your nearby walmart"

bet on it

[Politicalboi]

6. Yes but people want NOW!

Some can't wait the time it takes to grow, and cure. I know I can't. Besides, if they did it right, we would get imported weed, and we could choose like booze what we want. I would gladly pay 40.00 for a pack of 20 good joints. The revenue is there, they just have to know how to sell it. Plants die, get stolen, or get bugs. Too much headache for most.

[TheKentuckian]

9. People will buy it at the store for sure. Some will grow it but most won't.

You know how easy and how much less expensive it is just to roll your own smokes? It is half if you use the fancy imported tobacco and like a quarter if you just use domestic pipe but nobody does it.

Gardening? LOLZ

Because everyone that does grow will produce more than they need, there will be a blunting (no pun intended) of the market but most folks will go store bought like they do everything else.

[TheKentuckian]

10. People will buy it at the store for sure. Some will grow it but most won't.

You know how easy and how much less expensive it is just to roll your own smokes? It is half if you use the fancy imported tobacco and like a quarter if you just use domestic pipe but nobody does it.

Gardening? LOLZ

Because everyone that does grow will produce more than they need, there will be a blunting (no pun intended) of the market but most folks will go store bought like they do everything else.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. The age for purchasing tobacco varies from state to state

Here is the summary of CA's recent attempt to legalize, Prop 19:

Official summary:

Allows people 21 years old or older to possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use. Permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production and sale of marijuana to people 21 years old or older. Prohibits people from possessing marijuana on school grounds, using it in public, smoking it while minors are present, or providing it to anyone under 21 years old. Maintains current prohibitions against driving while impaired.

[Dennis Donovan]

3. Hydroponic supply shops on Erie Blvd?

...and I've been buying mail order all this time???:D

On edit and off topic: Lots of snow in Fulton? We have a dusting here in Auburn. Not a good day to be on the Tug Hill Plateau! ;-)

[hedgehog]

7. We're getting a lot of snow blowing around since about 12:30 -

just a dusting so far, but it looks nasty out.

Yeah, I was surprised to see that so many people in Syracuse are growing, uh, "lettuce", in their basements! One shop is a combo hydroponics /home brew supply!

[canetoad]

8. As someone who, for years has grown my own supply

Organically, outdoors and without ever buying or selling weed, I personally can't see any benefits in legalisation and would far prefer simple decriminalisation.

My suspicion is the legalisation of cannabis will make home growers sitting targets for taxation-related and/or excise offences. No matter the legal status, there is going to be a sizeable percentage of the population determined to prosecute and punish cannabis users in whatever way they can.

Another thing to consider about legalisation; by necessity there will be some sort of licensing system for the sale of cannabis; it's naive to imagine that onerous reporting requirements will not be put in place. I imagine this will fall into the hands of big pharma/tobacco/alcohol companies. It will be in their interests to ensure that the profits from an easily grown plant stay in their own grasping fists and, having the money and power to lobby government, will ensure that stringent requirements are imposed on the sale and acquisition of cannabis.

I've given this a lot of thought over the years and honestly do not believe that a law will pass to make cannabis legal and by magic, the next day we can all cheerfully buy a packet of doobies.

Don't get me wrong; I'm 100% in favour of anyone being able to access the weed if they choose to do so. I just think that legalisation will open up a can of worms that few people have thought through to its logical conclusion. Complete decriminalisation will cover all these bases.