Legalized Marijuana

[Montmorency]

Perhaps legalization could be part of an overall shift in the legal framework, to effect greater public safety than the outdated and ineffectual policy could?

[rvg]

RVG, you strike me as someone who has spent next to zero time in and amongst the weed-smoking sub (or not so sub) culture.

You are absolutely right. I have NEVER smoked weed. I don't even know what it looks like or smells like. I know what a hemp leaf looks like, but that's about it.

Legalizing it has only benefits, no downsides.

Not for me. I quite honestly do not need it nor want it. As for the society at large, what benefits are we talking about?

[Fisherking]

I wouldn’t bother trying to convert him.

If it proves to be a sweet tax item then state legislatures will be passing bill without having to go to the people.

What really needs done now is the re-legalization of industrial hemp. The stuff that won’t get you high. Replace wood paper with hemp paper and allow its other uses.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Well, I could refer to you to my 5-point list earlier in the thread, but I think I can reach you better by outlining why it would be helpful to you--a responsible, law-abiding, straight-edged conservative:

MONEY. That's why. By decriminalizing--and especially by fully legalizing and regulating--you take the single-largest step towards a balanced budget in this country that could possible be taken. Entire portions of the federal government become suddenly useless, and ripe for extinction. State and Federal criminal justice systems would be free from prosecuting the hundreds of thousands of minor drug offendors that currently clog our courts and prisons, and the federal government would lose much of its incentive to create intrusive policies (more of which have stemmed from the war on drugs than any other driving force). Jobs would be created. Millions of jobs. Businesses would be able to quickly step in and make money in a market for which there is already a great demand. The taxes--assuming it was taxed at the same rate as Alcohol--would bring in astronomical profits for state and federal coffers. Organized crime would take a massive financial death blow, lessening the burden on our criminal justice system even further. Money, money, money. That affects you, whether you care about weed or not.

LODES OF MONE

[HopAlongBunny]

It is hard to add much beyond Gelatinous Cube's excellent post

Changing terms of reference can be useful though: "rvg, why do you insist on a public subsidy to organized crime?"

[Fragony]

It is hard to add much beyond Gelatinous Cube's excellent post

Changing terms of reference can be useful though: "rvg, why do you insist on a public subsidy to organized crime?"

Because it's easier to be a hypocrite, and I would be ok with being one really. Much better than importing the amount of violence that goes on in this trade, less people will get hurt if you just accept the existance of an undercurrent in economics aka the black market. Do not mess with it.

[HopAlongBunny]

No argument really.

Legalization reduces violence, reduces the pain and "captures" lost economic activity.

[Fragony]

No argument really.

Legalization reduces violence, reduces the pain and "captures" lost economic activity.

Is a billion dollar loss per state for the cartels enough of an argument, do you really think they will let that happen when it is so much easier to terrorise? Little reality check, they outbudget you 4 to 1.