The rumors are all true: I've never smoked any weed. Never touched any illegal drugs, and I mean that literally. Caught a whiff of a joint once in an adjacent room. Didn't inhale.
But people, come on, really, can't we just stop prosecuting Americans who smoke pot?
I will leave the moral dimension of the argument for another day. I will leave the dilemma of impaired drivers by the wayside. For now. What I WILL do is talk about finances.
It costs this nation about $8 billion annually in prosecution costs and another billion in incarceration to wage war on potheads.
Certainly, mandated treatment is a real cost. Surely there exists a burden on business, when employees are jailed and/or terminated for weed-related offenses.
And think of the other side of the balance sheet: all that lost revenue. The grass tax. It's not just a catchy slogan. It could pay for programs. In a real shocker, California is considering this course of action.
Oh, and you want to make a real impact in the long-term budget, Mr. President? Legalize weed. (He's not going to do it. But maybe someday, someone in power will have the balls or the ovaries to try.)
And by the way, this crackdown on pot users, how well is it working? This well: 94 million of us are or have been users. But now I'm in Tangentville, and I semi-promised to argue for legalization on financial merits only. It'll take an awfully good counterargument to change my mind, but bring it on.
Bonus item: A variety of polls shows a variety of levels of support for legalization. What these polls don't show is that the issue is cut-and-dried.
Finally, a bit of full disclosure is in order: This post was not sponsored by Frito-Lay.
Here in Massachusetts anything under one ounce is gets a civil fine - like a speeding ticket.
ReplyDeleteWhen I announced that the bill had passed "legalizing" maryjane last semester in class, two or three students whooped in spite of themselves.
Would never work as a revenue source. Why would a dealer and his/her network want to share the profits with Uncle Sam when they can't be controlled now? There is no incentive for the pot network to legalize.
ReplyDeleteHow does the government control the homegrower? Do we institute a stamp tax? Imagine the "tea parties" on that! End up with Sean Hannity standing next to Bob Marley? There are just too many ways around the system.
If legalized, what would be the flipside of economics? Sure we are not spending money on prosecuting and jailing, but does a 15 min smoke break take on a new meaning?
I know more questions without answers. But they need to ba asked before taking a 180 on such a policy.
In England, heroin is legal, and the government actually provides services for getting people "unaddicted" including subsidies for decreasing amounts of the drug to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, counselling and the like.
ReplyDeleteAndy asks some good questions.
Perhaps the government could offer subsidies for NOT growing pot, sort of like they do for corn, pigs, soy and so on.
Frankly, while I disagree with the usage of marijuana for anything, I don't really care what the government does. They've got their heads so far up their ***** about things that really matter, equity, security, environment, it just seems like something like legalizing marijuana is simply a waste of time and taxpayer money. The government seems to be good at that...wasting taxpayer money.
Now why d'you have to go all heroin on us, Brad? That was uncalled for. Interestingly, I don't think heroin should be made legal, but I don't know why. Further introspection needed.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when you deride government for its ability to waste taxpayers' money, you are helping me make my point. Didn't know if you'd noticed. But I thank you anyway. All assistance is accepted, Lord knows I need it.
Andy - treating pot like liquor is a good start. To sell liquor, you must have a license (except maybe in Texas, where you can buy your concealed weapons and Jack Daniels at so many drive-thrus). You'd better believe there is no good incentive for liquor stores to share revenue... hence the tight, tight regulation. And we don't allow martini breaks, so no reefer breaks either. Employers will take care of that part of the bargain. When was the last time Macroshop, Inc. held a "Bring Your Flask to Work Day"?
And it's not hard to find an amount beyond which possession turns into intent to distribute, in which case you'd better have all your paperwork in order. (Now I'm sounding more like a Democrat! Much better.)
But I will definitely apply for the subsidy to NOT grow pot, I could get excited about that one.
Still laughing about the Hannity-Marley image.
To touch on your liquor comments, John. All the liquor stores in Washington are owned and run by the government. They already control it, anyway. While that doesn't cover beer sales in small stores, it covers all hard liquor.
ReplyDeleteMy wife's uncle used to be the chair of the liquor board, and helped to clean up the massive amounts of corruption. His first day on the job, he walked into a liquor store in Olympia, and announced who he was. The guy behind the counter pulled out his wallet and asked, "How much do you want?" He knew at that point things needed to change.
Also, I wasn't trying to contradict your point. I was simply saying legislating marijuana is a waste of time. It peeves me when they waste money, don't get me wrong. But, it peeves me even more when they waste time on stupid things like, oh say, bestiality problems in Eastern Washington. (Who really cares? I'd rather see a job retraining program, or homeless care, or anything else.)
Another example...kinda funny....King County recently banned Buttercream Frosting!!! (Due to trans-fats.) How would you like to have been the councilman who brought that one to the table. "Folks, there are two wars going on in Iraq and Afghanistan. Poverty is running rampant in Pioneer Square. But there is something even more vile taking place in our county. BUTTERCREAM FROSTING!!!! Some people talk about Buttercream, but gosh-darnit we are going to do something about it!!!
I'll leave it with this. If having buttercream frosting is a crime, then only criminals will have buttercream frosting.