An unusual way to deal with budget issues

Derek · 17-07-2009, 09:25

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/fore...reap_1_4bn.php

Quote:

A bill to tax and regulate marijuana in California like alcohol would generate nearly $1.4bn in revenue for the cash-strapped state, say tax officials.

The bill introduced by San Francisco Democratic Assemblyman Tom Ammiano in February would allow those aged 21 or over to legally possess, grow and sell marijuana.

Dai · 17-07-2009, 09:49

I've thought for years it would be a win/win stuation.

Tax revenue increased, criminal smuggling/selling activity reduced and a huge reduction in the number of people criminalised for smoking a bit of weed.

Since cannabis is fundamentally less harmful than either tobacco or alcohol I believe there's a strong case to go with legalisation.

17-07-2009, 10:19

I agree totally

The drug trade should be taken out of the hands of criminals. What kills most smack heads is not the smack its the fact that they get a less cut deal than normal take their normal dose and OD.

There is a violent underworld in all towns and cities and drugs are a huge industry.

Legislate distribute and tax you could even charge the same prices as the dealers and turn over a fortune

**Maggy** · 17-07-2009, 10:37

I agree zing but then you will get those talking about how do we protect the young and underage who will try and scupper it.

the taxes alone would help pay for the anti-drugs campaigns and also help to fund schemes for helping addicts to give up their particular drug of choice.Plus if people didn't have to try and fund their addiction through crime because prices would be regulated then we might see less burglary,muggings and a possible decrease in prostitution.

rogerdraig · 17-07-2009, 10:40

i think it would be an excellent idea

17-07-2009, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I agree zing but then you will get those talking about how do we protect the young and underage who will try and scupper it.

the taxes alone would help pay for the anti-drugs campaigns and also help to fund schemes for helping addicts to give up their particular drug of choice.Plus if people didn't have to try and fund their addiction through crime because prices would be regulated then we might see less burglary,muggings and a possible decrease in prostitution.

They need to be told that half of the attraction of drugs is the illegallity of it. Tell a kid he cant do something and all they can think about is doing it.

The thing is the war on drugs is not working making criminals of users just clogs up the legal system. The big money makers never even touch the stuff they just organize its distribution and reap the rewards. The fact that drugs are illegal is why the whole thing is surrounded by crime from the smack head theiving to the drug dealer shooting someone on his patch. I have never held a different view on drugs

Dai · 17-07-2009, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I agree zing but then you will get those talking about how do we protect the young and underage who will try and scupper it.

the taxes alone would help pay for the anti-drugs campaigns and also help to fund schemes for helping addicts to give up their particular drug of choice.Plus if people didn't have to try and fund their addiction through crime because prices would be regulated then we might see less burglary,muggings and a possible decrease in prostitution.

We're talking about cannabis here Maggy. That is non-addictive although like any drug it may be habit-forming. But then again ice cream is habit-forming for me and nobody's banned that yet..

But seriously. I'd suggest a trade-off. Legalise cannabis with the tax and crime benefits. The other side of the coin should be a much harder crack-down on the bad guys selling the real harmful stuff like heroin and methamphetamines. Now those are the ones we should be taking down.

17-07-2009, 11:54

Is Meth prevalent in the UK?I know there is a lot of speed and coke about but I dunno about Meth

Derek · 17-07-2009, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by zing

Is Meth prevalent in the UK?I know there is a lot of speed and coke about but I dunno about Meth

Not especially. Yet...

---------- Post added at 17:09 ---------- Previous post was at 17:08 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiNasty

We're talking about cannabis here Maggy. That is non-addictive although like any drug it may be habit-forming.

I haven't seen many studies linking to ice cream to long term psychological damage yet though.

Like all drugs cannabis isn't completely without risks.

Dai · 17-07-2009, 17:15

I'm sure there is an element of risk in massive long-term use but then again alcohol is not exactly risk-free.

Despite a few that can't manage to control abuse the vast majority manage to use it socially without any problem.

17-07-2009, 17:51

I'm shocked to say I agree 100% with this American politician. It's been a long held belief of mine that legialisation (with strict controls) of both marijuana and smack could reap massive tax income to the UK. If grower have a legal obligation to be registered or face serious time in prison, plus loss of all property, goods and possible access to state benefits. Then I think weed could be sold with little impact on the fabric of society. Smack on the other hand could be bought at source (Afghanistan), where it is a much more viable cash-crop for Afghan farmers ($1000+ an acre for opium poppy, as opposed to $50+ an acre for wheat). Buying the opium at sourse does two things.

1) Puts a serious dent in the herroin trade, as 80 - 90% of the opium comes from Afghan.

2) Gives Afghan farmers a "legal" crop to sell into a "legal" market, cutting of a shedload of cash to the taliban/islamofascists and their ability to finance future operations....

Truely a win/win situation.....

17-07-2009, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/fore...reap_1_4bn.php

Been saying it for years, the government will make a fortune in excise duty.

Welshchris · 17-07-2009, 18:19

i think it should be lagalised but i also think some of the same laws governing Alcohol and other drugs should be implimented on it.

What we will find otherwise are George Michael Wannabes smoking and then getting behind the wheel of a car and ramming everything in sight.

Will21st · 17-07-2009, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiNasty

We're talking about cannabis here Maggy. That is non-addictive although like any drug it may be habit-forming. But then again ice cream is habit-forming for me and nobody's banned that yet..

But seriously. I'd suggest a trade-off. Legalise cannabis with the tax and crime benefits. The other side of the coin should be a much harder crack-down on the bad guys selling the real harmful stuff like heroin and methamphetamines. Now those are the ones we should be taking down.

Why?W've been doing that for years to absolutely no effect.... just follow the media and your local paper.Day in day out we read about drug bust after drug bust and does it do anything?
IMHO we need to take ALL drugs out of the hands of criminals and regulate and control them as best as can be done.
Burglaries,Robberies and even Murders would decline and Neighbourhoods would be safe(r) again.Also,the police could concentrate on REAL criminals,like murderers or child molesters.

Derek,I was an addict for a long time,and I can assure you that addiction has nothing to do with the substance one choses to abuse.It's all about how one feels in life and the pain that's inside.It's like an injury.... for some a plaster will do (cannabis) and for others you need a crutch (Heroin).

It's almost ironic that ice cream was mentioned,because the sugar rush from that was the first time I remember feeling my addiction,at the tender age of eleven or so.

yeah,great topic...

COME ON GORDO<make that stuff legal,save us all a wad of cash and be tough on criminals and their ill gotten gains! Plus you'll protect our boys in Afghanistan by draining the Tali-fascists of their cash-flow.

17-07-2009, 18:49

what would be the pont of legalizing cannabis or any other drug for that matter so it can be taxed to raise revenue .Let's face it allot of the people who need to use drugs don't have the necessary social skills or education to hold down a job to pay for it in the first place .All the government will do is keep on increasing the tax on it year after year exactly like they do with all luxuries like cars ,tobacco,alchohol ,untill the people who are addicted can't afford it so the black market springs up again ..like cars,tobacco and achohol
IMO it's a failed idea