The $780 billion stimulus bill can be paid down if we legalized marijuana

[NAO]

The $780 billion stimulus bill can be paid down if we legalized marijuana
http://www.marymacelveen.com/blog/_archives/2009/2/7/4084550.html

A few select excerpts from this fascinating column:

"Now here is the controversial part: Perhaps it is time to revisit this debate on whether or not to actually legalize marijuana. It just may be a boost to our ailing economy. If we actually legalize it to be sold in controlled businesses similar to liquor stores, just think of how the government can tax this new commodity..."

"Think of the manufacturing base that can spring up around it such as making good old American bongs. Something to think about as we see plant-after-plant close. As many industries go belly-up, think of the many cottage industries that can spring up by selling these products. New businesses are always a plus for an ailing economy..."

"In Rachael Baldwin’s column for The Collegian, right off the bat she writes, “The legalization of marijuana would greatly impact the U.S. economy. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, website, marijuana is “America’s most valuable crop.” With Washington looking for sources of cash to infuse into our economy, just think if it got down off its moral high-horse and legalized it. Found money!"

OKAY, I've probably already exceeded quotation guidelines, so just go to the link:
http://www.marymacelveen.com/blog/_archives/2009/2/7/4084550.html

[midnight]

1. That makes alot of sense. Marijuana could really turn the

textile industry around here in America. It can be grown without lots of pesticides. I see this as a wonderful cash crop for many farmers. Enough fighting about this war on drugs. Just end it already.

[ThoughtCriminal]

2. Can we really smoke that much pot?

I may not be that patriotic.

[razors edge]

9. I would like to try.

Just get rid of those damned piss tests.

[Ian David]

3. We'll cut unemployment in half.

If pot is legal, we'll have to hire twice as many people to do the same amount of work.

But you'll spend twice as long waiting in line for a hamburger, and on-hold for your cable company.

But you'll have a snack with you anyway.

Look how the tiles on the floor make a pattern.

[patrice]

4. That's a myth.

Some people get lethargic.

Others get all obssessed with activity.

Like most human traits the distribution is probably "normal", i.e. a frequency distribution of the scores measuring the trait, from weak to strong, would create a bell curve.

[patrice]

5. Hemp is high quality CHEAP, but complete, Protein.

You can do just about anything with Hemp, including build houses.

http://www.naturallifemagazine.com/0604/hemphouse.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080916154724.htm

Here's one with pictures: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/hemp_houses_for.php

[hughee99]

6. Shit, between the revenue generated for

Taco Bell, Frito Lay and all night convenience stores across America, that should cover it.

[navarth]

7. K & R Sanity on the marijuana issue would be very nice.

In my case, it would lead to some urban gardening as well. Get some fresh air, get the hands in the dirt...good all around.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

8. I am not sanguine...

Regarding the idea that more intoxication, no matter the agent, is gonna be a big help right now.

For medical purposes? Absolutely. But just so people can get baked? Uhhhh...nah.

On the other hand, should it be a criminal offense? Fuck no. In a country known world wide for pulling silly things out its ass, that one is the silliest.

And I speak as one who has probably done more intoxicating agents than all but a few here.

[DCKit]

13. Given how many people are currently popping mood altering drugs...

I'm thinking the only people who might be opposed are Big Pharma.

The lack of life threatening side effects is pretty attractive too.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

15. Well, bubba, one thing is definitely clear:

I ain't Big Pharma. They have money. I don't.

[Ghost in the Machine]

17. "But just so people can get baked? Uhhhh...nah."

Can we put you down in the "Yes" column for reinstating alcohol prohibition then? Especially since it serves *no* medicinal purpose and people only use it to "get baked"? Alcohol is worse for society than marijuana ever dreamed of being.

:hi:

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

21. Oh, I know all about alcohol.

Since I did a backstroke across an Atlantic Ocean of it. And no, I am not making judgements for other people on whether they should use anything. I just know what works for me.

But in these times, I don't see a whole hell of a lot of good in a lot of people smoking lots of Humboldt Mind Eraser. I will admit, though, that Afghani Surfboard Hash was tasty stuff. ;-)

But if we stay straight and only let the repukes and liberatarians get baked and bury their heads in Entenman's Devil's Food Cake, we are gonna have such a leg up on them that they'll never come back. :D

[Gregorian]

10. When cannibis is legal it won't command a high price.

Haha. I said HIGH.

But really, it'll go from the $5000 per pound to $50 per pound. And thus ends any economic benefit. At least that's my thought on it.

[Ghost in the Machine]

20. $5000 per pound? What are you smoking??

Maybe for some top grade hydroponic or something, but even that soumds high. Hell, I know where to get some excellent Kentucky grown skunk bud, hand picked & manicured... for $1000/lb, or $900/lb for 5lbs or more.

There's a nice profit to made on that. I don't have the money, or the desire, to get back into that lifestyle though. I have a very strong aversion to jail... I like my freedom a little too much. I like being here to raise my kids even more...

As for the price drop, I don't think it would be as drastic as you think. Legalization *will* drop the prices some, but that will be because they aren't paying high prices to "mules" and/or smugglers to bring some into the country. Legalization would also cut down on a lot of crime that goes along with black market sales/distribution. It would cut down on a lot of gang related turf wars.

There would still be a profit for the growers and distributors in this country, as well as the offshoot businesses that were mentioned. The money for the government would still be there in the form of taxes. It's my personal belief that sales would increase due to people starting to use because it's no longer illegal. I personally know at least 20 people whose only reason for NOT smoking weed is because they'd lose their jobs if they were piss tested.

I also personally feel that any talk of legalization that doesn't include regulation and taxation is a waste of time. The industry should be regulated just like the alcohol & tobacco industries.

I won't even get into the added benefit of the industrial hemp industry and it's offshoots...

Peace,

Ghost

[Gregorian]

22. Well there was a time when it was $35 an eighth.

That was high. But even $25 would be $3000 a pound. And that was the going rate in California back in the 90's. I grew. I was into hydroponics back in the 80's. Oh the stories. I never sold it. I think it's one of the most incredible plants. I'm sure you know. Simply wonderful. In a way, being illegal made our experiences amazingly special. Probably like the speakeasies.

[Qutzupalotl]

23. One factor that could depress the price:

people freely growing their own, thus reducing demand for purchased pot.

[2Design]

11. and the money we save on jail time and costs in courts etc n/t

[Beam Me Up]

12. They'll never do it and here is why:

1: A genuine solution to this economic problem is NOT what the PTB are after. The economic "down turn" is a contrived problem for which they will eventually offer up their contrived solution -- and believe me, making pot available legally won't be it.

2: Keeping drugs illegal and the "war on drugs" (which is the precursor to the "war on terror") in operation is a BIG cash cow to Wall Street and other criminal organizations. The last thing they're going to do is decriminalize the MOST USED illegal substance on the planet. It justifies all the militarization of the domestic police forces for one thing, keeps those prisons for profits filled up for another.

3: The paper industry, the hydrocarbon chemical industry, the cotton industry -- those three off the top of my head and I'm sure there are many others -- don't want hemp available as a market contender. Period. And I can't imagine them legalizing cannabis without also legalizing hemp -- what kind of sense would that make?

[bperci108]

14. Tell you what...

First, how about revoking any and all tax exemptions for religions.

Hey, if you're gonna tax the "vices" tax ALL of them, including Jeezus. :evilgrin:


Okay, now lay on... :popcorn:

[GeorgeGist]

16. Or we could just confiscate all the money American rich people have ...

stolen-by-profit, pay off the national debt and have an enormous surplus to boot. About $20 Trillion from the past 8 years alone.

PS I'm not saying all rich people are guilty, just most of them.

[Oldenuff]

18. Stop! Stop!

Making sense is not in vogue in Washington.Please stop making arguments that have any basis in fact.

Thank You.

[BrightKnight]

19. LOL - Just nationalize Big Oil and pay for everything. - n/t

[jazzjunkysue]

24. OK. See, when you smoke that stuff, you no longer really think straight...

and so it's easier to believe stuff like this....

I'm just sayin'.

You're not going to convince the parents in this country to legalize pot. Find another hobby.

[terisan]

25. We nationalize one industry at a time--the others will find way to pay us off. nt