Is Legalizing Marijuana the Way Out of Budget Deficits?
Some say it is for California, other states, and even the federal government
In a new ad being aired in California, a marijuana legalization group is arguing that the best way to fix California's massive budget woes is to legalize pot. Reports the AP: "'We're marijuana consumers,' says Nadene Herndon of Fair Oaks [in the ad], who says she began using marijuana after suffering multiple strokes three years ago. 'Instead of being treated like criminals for using a substance safer than alcohol, we want to pay our fair share.'" Is legalizing marijuana the best way to fix state, or even federal, budget deficits? Is it the best way for California specifically? If not, how can alcohol remain legal—and taxed—when marijuana is not? Post your thoughts.
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Take our poll: Is legalizing marijuana the best way to fix state, or even federal, budget deficits?
Reader Comments
Listen to my mom
Am I ever sorry that my mom is missing this discussion. She died last Spring at the age of 92 and she went to her grave strongly believing and voicing that marijuana should be legalized. She never tried it, but she knew that it was ridiculous for this country to spend ("waste") all the money it is spending trying to fight marijuana when it would be much smarter to make money off of it. Legalize it, regulate it, "tax the hell out of it" were her thoughts. She didn't live to see it happen but maybe I will. It is time. Go after the crack producers. I live in Kentucky and this state could, once again, grow marijuana legally, like it did during WWI for hemp rope, and create jobs and tax revenue.
Yes
Marijuana could easily stimulate our economy. If all 50 states legalized, more jobs would be open. Growing marijuana isnt the easiest process ever, it could open many jobs for americans. I know so many drug dealers who make so much money from illegally selling Marijuana, think if all that money from 50 states could go to our economy. Millions, I mean millions of americans already smoke marijuana, whats going to stop them? If we leagalized, buying marijuana would be much easier for the user, more people would start which means more money, I think our goverment needs to start focusing on hard drugs, such as Herion and Cocaine. These are the drugs that destroy lifes.
The emigration of marijuana into american society.
If there is a politician out there that believes that our country has control of the marijuana cycle in the U.S.A, they are most likely high themselves. At this point the only way to take control would be to stop wasting time trying to fight people who enjoy using Marijuana and make money of off them.. It could boost our economy, save us money from trying to fight a constant uphill, and boost fast food sales. It just does not make sense. Our government has been known to do so much to financially stay stable. Why are they passing this up.. this is a golden opportunity.. Look at portugal and the drop in crime rate they had after the legalization of Drugs! Not just Marijuana but drugs. We talk about being a country with an open mind but the fact that we are still stuck on this shows nothing but complete ignorance.
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