Posted on 05/05/2009 2:27:27 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday it's time for California to study whether to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use, though he's not yet advocating for such a change.
The governor was asked about a recent Field Poll showing that 56 percent of registered voters support legalizing and taxing marijuana to raise revenues for cash-strapped California. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, has proposed legislation that would legalize the drug for recreational use, rather than just medical purposes.
"Well, I think it's not time for that, but I think it's time for a debate," Schwarzenegger said. "I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it. And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect did it have on those countries?"
He said his native Austria is revisiting some of its marijuana laws, for instance. The Austrian Parliament last year authorized medical marijuana.
"It could very well be that everyone is happy with that decision and then we could move to that," Schwarzenegger said of other nations' legalization policies. "If not, we shouldn't do it. But just because of raising revenues ... we have to be careful not to make mistakes at the same time.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
I won't disagree with you about whether or not the Gov has the stones for the fight. Still, the feds have a losing hand and one of these decades they are going to be forced to admit defeat and make the best of a bad situation.
When someone’s drinking, they can’t inadvertantly make you drunk by osmosis. Ever tried to study for college exams in a cramped dorm when your suitemate is smoking tons of pot and various other narcotics? You want to legalize it in your state, fine, but I’ll do everything I can to keep it against the law in mine.
What a desperate argument. No one is advocating driving under the influence of any substance.
Back in the day I drank and smoked pot, now I do neither.
I never embarrassed my self or got into trouble while under the influence of pot, can't say the same for alcohol
At best it would close 1-2% of the states shortfall.
But it’s a big if that CA could tax it. I don’t see many companies selling pot due to the long arm of the Federal Government through the D.E.A. and Justice Department. So most sales will probably still be by dealers or at least under the table so tax collections would be pretty minimal.
Unless you get the Fed’s to drop their laws, which I would totally support, there is not much States can do.
Did I say that either should be driving? No.
Ah, well how about no smoking period in a dorm.
The last thing CA needs is MORE drug addicts.
“I won’t disagree with you about whether or not the Gov has the stones for the fight. Still, the feds have a losing hand and one of these decades they are going to be forced to admit defeat and make the best of a bad situation.”
Totally agree.
Forgot to add - yes.
The last thing anyone needs is more alcoholics, should we ban Alcohol?
The last thing anyone needs is more obese people, should we ban unhealthy foods?
These idiots don't know what cutting spending means, they just think the solution is more and more taxes to increase revenue for the hard working people who actually earn the money.
That was my dream when I was a young boy, "Hey, Mom, I want to grow up, produce wealth and have it stolen from me by the frickin feds and state governments!" /Huge SAR tag on that one.
Yeah, I think a lot of people would initially think about growing their own but in the long run it would be more work than it's worth when you could just pick it up at the liquor store. How many drinkers actually brew their own? Besides pot smokers like drinkers aren't known for their industry and hard work. Further, there would also be heavy penalties for letting plants fall into the hands of minors so... pick up a bag and pay the tax would probably predominate (as it does with drinking).
Agree about the Feds. Imagine what the founders would think.
Depends. If the tax is onerous like the Tobacco tax, a lot of people will grow there own, and sell it under the table.
I think to be successful in legalizing pot two things must happen;
1. Drop drug addicts from being able to receive SSDI and SSI.
2. Ban drug addicts from collecting welfare programs and institute random drug testing of recipients.
If you don’t do these two things, tax payers will be on the hook for addicts irresponsible behavior.
You might want to amend that statement. Not speaking for pot smokers, but most of the FReepers on here are drinkers and I would bet most of them are hard working, I drink and I work hard, although I am retired now I still work around on many things, and YES, lots of people brew their own beer and make their own wine.
I got it from here, looks like info about month old.
http://cannabisnews.com/news/24/thread24727.shtml
They will make it illegal to grow except for themselves.
Agreed but the majority of drinkers? I think not.
I think the founders would go on a shooting spree in the halls of congress if they were to come back today and see what has become of our Republic.
I think at the very least they'd strenthen that 10th amendment. On the other hand, the whole Constitution might never have been ratified and there might never have been a United States.
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