Petition Drive Challenges Medical Marijuana Ban

[August]

But Sheriff Youngblood says that the marijuana has been a destructive force in his county, destroying public lands — where growers often plant — and bringing into an otherwise largely peaceful rural environment an influx of weapons as a result of what he says are criminal cartels involved in the drug trade. He has conducted several major raids this year, including one in September that netted more than 2,100 plants near the town of Wasco.

The good sheriff misses the whole point. Those problems are all the direct result of the drug being illegal, not the drug itself. If anything he should be advocating its full legalization if he wants to eliminate those problems.

Legal crops are just not grown in secret patches and fields by criminal cartels. When will we learn the lessons of Prohibition?

[Betonov]

Legalized and controled (and taxed). But this is one crop that shouldn't be free marketed. I believe in the healing powers of marihuana when it is in small quantities, but I also see these potheads in my village where they fry their brain out daily

[Gerald]

There is a significant risk to first let it go free, and then have it checked by taking to the tax on it ... there are many difficulties with this type of management, and authorities have been difficult enough to overcome this, we must ensure the consistency of such a scenario, and the implications.

[the_tyrant]

Even if it is legalized, I don't think it would provide all the tax revenue and reduce that much crime like the pro weed people claim

After all, most of the marijuana legalization people just want to get high
its not like they are willing to pay 50% more from a legal source, nor is it possible for them to get prescriptions


Even if it is legalized, I believe the underground drug trade in marijuana will not go away

[August]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

Even if it is legalized, I don't think it would provide all the tax revenue and reduce that much crime like the pro weed people claim

You're right, not if those claims are based on the black market price. Still tobacco cigarettes cost, what, a quarter a pack to make? They're getting about 8 bucks a pack around here with all the sin taxes the government has imposed and the illegal cigarette trade is still only a tiny percentage of total sales.

After all, most of the marijuana legalization people just want to get high
its not like they are willing to pay 50% more from a legal source, nor is it possible for them to get prescriptions

Even if it is legalized, I believe the underground drug trade in marijuana will not go away

I do. I believe the underground drug trade would disappear completely with legalization. After all we're talking about a weed that grows naturally in all 50 states. Why would anyone pay a criminal cartel large amounts of money for something that they can grow for free in their own back yard?

[Penguin]

Basic drug economy: Except for the obvious supply/demand relation, the price is made significantly by the fact that a drug goes through many hands till it reaches the consumer, and an "illegality surcharge", which represents the risks that the sellers/smugglers have - the latter defines the huge margins and is the most important price factor.

So if you legalize it, it would become significantly cheaper, this is where a sensible taxation ( as if there was ever any) could come into play. An example: the glorious and wise government of Germany raises tobacco taxes on a yearly base. However if draw a diagram, with tax level and tax revenue, you get a curve. At one level, the revenues decrease, as it becomes more profitable to smuggle untaxed cigs which lead to less tax income.

If the price after taxation would be reasonable, nobody would buy from illegal sources, not only regarding the legal risk but also regarding the health risk. Yes, even weed gets cut with toxic substances, for example lead dust to increase the weight.

And I'd prefer to have Philip Morris making their profits with Marlboro Green than supporting (more) criminal organizations, like the Cartels or the Taliban.

The argument that people only smoke to get stoned is void. Most people here certainly know alcoholics, the guy who starts the day with a hit from the bong is the same guy who opens his first beer after getting up. However there is also a drinking culture that exists. A culture to have a wine with diner or a glass of whisky to relax after work. Same goes for weed, just like people have a few beer to have a little buzz, people smoke for recreation, for this little buzz. It is not a drug like heroin that is only made for a total bang.

Originally Posted by August

The good sheriff misses the whole point. Those problems are all the direct result of the drug being illegal, not the drug itself. If anything he should be advocating its full legalization if he wants to eliminate those problems.

Legal crops are just not grown in secret patches and fields by criminal cartels. When will we learn the lessons of Prohibition?

^
first you show a sensible view of the death penalty, now this: I'm concerned are you becoming a lefty?
Seriously, I am pleasantly surprised.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Penguin

first you show a sensible view of the death penalty, now this: I'm concerned are you becoming a lefty?
Seriously, I am pleasantly surprised.

There are those among us who are on the right of some issues and the left of others. We're called "independents". We also don't support parties.

[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

There are those among us who are on the right of some issues and the left of others. We're called "independents". We also don't support parties.

Some would seem to support pot parties.

[August]

Originally Posted by Penguin

first you show a sensible view of the death penalty, now this: I'm concerned are you becoming a lefty?
Seriously, I am pleasantly surprised.

But drug and alcohol prohibition is classic socialism. True capitalists would never be so anti-commerce.

[Penguin]

It seems that for the first time in younger history a majority of Americans are for a legalization of marijuana:


source: http://www.gallup.com/poll/150149/Re...Marijuana.aspx

Originally Posted by August

But drug and alcohol prohibition is classic socialism. True capitalists would never be so anti-commerce.

haha, touché!
*runs to the post office and tries to stop the parcel with red socks(1) he sent to August*

On the other hand, Alcohol was incredible cheap in the Eastern bloc countries and one of the few goods that were always and plenty available. Guess the governments feared rough drunks less than people starting a booze riot.

(1)=red sock is a German expression for closet Commies

[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by Penguin

It seems that for the first time in younger history a majority of Americans are for a legalization of marijuana:


source: http://www.gallup.com/poll/150149/Re...Marijuana.aspx




haha, touché!
*runs to the post office and tries to stop the parcel with red socks(1) he sent to August*

On the other hand, Alcohol was incredible cheap in the Eastern bloc countries and one of the few goods that were always and plenty available. Guess the governments feared rough drunks less than people starting a booze riot.

(1)=red sock is a German expression for closet Commies

I believe the Alke(Alka?) stores still tax the good quality vodka out of reach. Help me Dowly. Wasn't, or isn't Finlandia cheaper outside Finland?

[Gerald]

These numbers change from year to year...

Those numbers are so bogus as to mean nothing.


No one would answer honestly on most polls like this.
They never have nor do I suspect they ever will.

The current Laws perpetuate the Criminal activities.
And that makes Criminals rich!
No taxes are collected but Billions are spent!

And you get the side benefit of filling up Prison space with mostly non-violent criminals.
Which of couse costs even more money.


How long do you chase a losing business before you go broke?
Ask the U.S. Government.
They are experts at things like that!

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

I believe the Alke(Alka?) stores still tax the good quality vodka out of reach. Help me Dowly. Wasn't, or isn't Finlandia cheaper outside Finland?

You'll have to go back many years if you are going to have prices that was pretty cheap ... when it comes to Vodka...

Go back 30 years and a quarter pound of pot cost $40.00 U.S.
Now it's like $40.00 U.S. for a quarter ounce?
And I understand that's the CHEAP stuff?

Somebody is getting VERY rich over failed policies.

I'm in the wrong business I guess.