Posted on 02/03/2012 10:57:07 AM PST by gabriellah
In 2011, Gallup reported that 62% of 18-29 year olds and 50% of the general public supports the legalization of marijuana; 69% of liberals and even 34% of conservatives also support such measures. Obviously the pro-pot movement has taken root in the American populace and especially in the minds of Millennials (even managing to infiltrate the minds of the most conservative among us).
Myth #1: Legalization Would bring in Enormous Tax Revenues
The Heritage Foundation’s Charles Stimson published an extensive legal memorandum urging for the failure of the RCTC Act of 2010, which would have legalized pot in California. This memorandum debunks the myth that legalization would eliminate the black market for marijuana and would bring in enormous revenue, therefore stimulating the economy.
Dr. Rosalie Pacula, a drug policy expert at the RAND Corporation for over 15 years, testified that under the California law: “There would be tremendous profit motive for the existing black market providers to stay in the market. The only way California could effectively eliminate the black market for marijuana is to take away the substantial profits in the market and allow the price of marijuana to fall to an amount close to the cost of production. Doing so, however, will mean substantially smaller tax revenue”(Stimson 9).
In other words, simple economics expose the assumption that drug dealers would voluntarily enter the legal market, when the cost of production is virtually zero. In fact, it was calculated that “an individual will be able to produce 24,000 to 240,000 joints legally each year” (Stimson 9). This is more than any individual could possibly consume, and it is encouraging individuals to sell pot on the side, subverting taxation. Why would anyone buy marijuana legally when they would have to pay a higher price for it? It would be a much higher price considering California proposed a $50/ounce tax on top of the list price. Why would drug dealers leave the black market when they don’t have to?
Fiscal conservatives should not be lured into such intellectual inconsistency. We are not going to solve the budget crises and pay off our $15 trillion debt with whatever change is left from a feeble government attempt to tax the un-taxable.
Myth #2: Marijuana is a Victimless Drug
Marijuana has a history of being linked to crime in the United States and throughout the world. “60% of arrestees test positive for marijuana use in the United States, England, and Australia” (Stimson 6). And while many pro-legalization advocates argue that most of these marijuana users are people arrested for non-violent crimes, they fail to note that marijuana usage is strongly correlated with cocaine and other more serious drugs, as well as murder, assault, money laundering, and smuggling (Stimson 5-6). Surely, legalization advocates do not believe that all marijuana users are little angels?
In fact, in Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most violent cities, pot is legal and a prevalent aspect of society (Stimson 6). Heritage reports that “Officials are in the process of closing marijuana dispensaries, or ‘coffee shops,’ because of the crime associated with their operation” (Stimson 6).
California’s partial legalization via usage of “medical marijuana” is beginning to show the same effects. LAPD reports that areas surrounding cannabis clubs have seen a 200% increase in robberies and a 130.8% increase in aggravated assault (Stimson 6). A drug that increases crime doesn’t exactly qualify as “victimless.”
In addition to this, local communities where neighborhoods and residential housing are dominant will be adversely affected. Residents who live in areas with extensive marijuana usage have repeatedly complained about the incredible smell put off by the plants. Even worse than the smell though, is the growing crime rate in residential areas which is induced by theft of marijuana from yards where it is grown (Stimson 6).
It may be ideologically convenient for some to oversimplify the issue as a violation against individual liberty, but when all the facts are presented, it is obvious that the only liberty being violated is the blatant disregard for property rights, law, and order.
Myth #3: Marijuana = Alcohol
Legalization advocates link marijuana and alcohol as equally mild intoxicants, suggesting that they deserve equal treatment under the law. However, as the above research suggests, marijuana is more dangerous to the health and safety of society.
For better or for worse, alcohol as been part of human history for millennia. Typically, individuals responsibly self-monitor their consumption thereof. Alcohol has also been regulated by cultural norms rather than by government. Society, culture, and religion have proven to be the best regulators of alcoholic consumption. The same cannot be said of marijuana – as seen in the information presented earlier.
In addition to its lack of historical precedent in America’s historical experience, marijuana also has much more severe health effects than alcohol. 1) marijuana is far more likely than alcohol to be cause addiction, 2) it is usually consumed to the point of intoxication, 3) it has no known intrinsically healthful properties (it can only relieve pain –and artificially at that), 4) it has toxins that can result in birth defects, pain, respiratory damage, brain damage, and stroke, 5) it increases heart rate by 20% to 100% elevating the risk of heart attack (Stimson 4).
In relation to history, economics, and health, marijuana is nothing like alcohol.
Conclusion: Conservatives should not be afraid to combat the growing sentiment that supports the legalization of marijuana. Economics, historical precedent, and conservative principles are all on our side. It is up to unashamed, unapologetic young conservatives to articulate that message and continue to stand for ordered liberty.
Funny, the Govt has never interfered when I've brewed beer at my house or at a friend's.
I know that must make someone like yourself, who champions the Govt criminalizing what people put in their bodies & destroying the Fourth Amendment, very sad.
What the hell is wrong with you?
“Not without a ton of gubmint interference, you can’t.”
And I gather from your subsequent reiteration(in color and large fonts) of this meme that you are in favor of it - the ‘gubmint interference’, that is.
Well, Mr. Responsibility2nd, what’s your view of your responsibity1st?
I’m guessing that it’s currying favor with the ‘gubmint cronies’.
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&cp=18&gs_id=4a&xhr=t&q=growing+your+own+tobacco&pf=p&biw=1600&bih=710&sclient=psy-ab&pbx=1&oq=growing+your+own+t&aq=0&aqi=g4&aql=&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=75e373fb72088952
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
One puff vs 5 puffs vs 20 puffs. How is that not controlling dosage?
pills are inspected for quantity control. Liability laws are there for those who fail to maintain proper quality control.
The issue is not quality control. The issue is Marinol is so strong, as it is meant to be, that it has too many side effects for people who want lower amounts of THC.
It's really not that hard to understand.
Sort of like the usual suspects said that when more and more States passed concealed carry permits the prediction was of Old West style shootouts and rampant gun crime.
Gun crime is down, and went down further in concealed carry States than otherwise.
So the usual suspects rounded up statistics of dubious importance to try to distract from the FACT that crime is down overall and their predictions of gloom and doom didn't pan out.
They cite that neighbors complain! They cite that people with guns are more likely to be the victims of crime, not knowing or caring that there is a self selection bias at play - those in risk of criminality tend to arm themselves.
They cite any and all numbers that they think carry water for them.
But their predictions didn't pan out.
Crime overall is down.
I never said anything about legislating anything. Was just offering a few tidbits, sorry got everybody Torked. This is still FR, and we still have our right to opinions as long as Jim says.
I've seen forums where they discuss how to grow it and cure it and where to get seeds. I've considered doing it myself.
The reason more people don't do it is the effort involved. I'm not aware of any government restrictions on growing it for personal use.
Unless you can come up with a link to back up your claim, the only conclusion I can reach is that you believe that the world simply must be the way you say it is, regardless of a lack of any actual evidence to back up your beliefs.
Yes, my truly outlandish claims that I've brewed beer in the privacy of my own home (and friends') without government interference.
You are correct.
What the hell is wrong with you?
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lololol
I scored a direct hit, I see. Why don’t you start calling me names, now?
THAT will show me.
lololol
Wow!
Is that on the New York Times best seller list? Number 1 on Amazon.com?
lolol
I have yet to read a thread on FR about some government jack boots with a no-knock warrant kicking down someones door, shooting their dog, and arresting them for making some home brew from a kit the LEGALLY bought from a store...
Actually the last couple of concerts I’ve been to Security was harassing anybody who dared to smoke a Cigarette but if you lit a joint they’d leave you alone
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