Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Nation & World

Washington Whispers by Paul Bedard

Could Legalizing Marijuana Help the Economy?

February 28, 2009 02:28 PM ET | Paul Bedard, Alex Kingsbury | Permanent Link | Print

By Alex Kingsbury, Washington Whispers

FDR spent his first few days in office fixing the banks, and then he legalized beer. President Obama has buoyed the banks; what about legalizing marijuana? asks Keith Stroup, the attorney who founded the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws in 1970. For decades, Stroup has argued that legalizing pot would produce mega tax windfalls, and now, officials of states zonked out by the fiscal crisis—Texas, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania—are asking Stroup for the 411 on ganja green. "As smokers," he adds, "we're raising our hands and saying: 'Tax us!' "

Check out more Washington Whispers.

Tags: marijuana

Tools: Share | | Comments (131) | Print

Reader Comments

marijuana

Look it isn't legal. As long as this country or the pharmaceutical companies regulate profits for themselves it poses a threat to these companies now. In the past americans were more judge mental they associated weed with losers now that we know more by trying it we know that its like alchol but much SAFER, it won't KILL youlike(Alcholism!!!) Will and the profitability for the economy is uncharted. Only one way to find out. Legalize it for the love of GOD that right I said it god is good and so is weed

MARY JANE!

Legalize it world wide. It's got an insane amount of uses. Look back 70 years ago and see how well it benefited everyone who grew it. Medicines that cured cancer(hash oil),textiles,rope,paper, food,etc etc etc. The reason it's illegal is because big pharma would lose trillions due to people having the ability to cure themselves without being thrown in jail.

MARIJUANA!!!

I just heard it on the radio! IT'S BEING LEGALIZED IN WASHINGTON STAT!!! HELL YEAH!...What a truly great day to be an American xD. Only problem is the fact that you have to be 21 years old to purchase it and it's gonna have a 15% tax fee or was it a $15 tax fee? Eh to hell with it idc because it's about to be legalized lol.

Sticks and Stones may break my bones but a fatty joint will fix that.

Add your thoughts

Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

advertisement

Subscribe Today

U.S. News Weekly promotional image, for Washington Whispers

Want Your Whispers First?

Get the original Washington Whispers in an all new digital form. Check out U.S. News Weekly today.

advertisement

NEWSLETTER

Sign up today for the latest headlines from U.S. News & World Report delivered to you free.

RSS FEEDS

Personalize your U.S. News with our feeds of blogs and breaking news headlines.

U.S. NEWS MOBILE

U.S. News daily briefings are also available on your mobile device.

Bobbles Poll: Obama's Socialist Joke?

President Obama and "Oboker" bobbleheads for Washington Whispers. Bobbleheads provided by webobbles.com.

Shouts that President Obama is steering the nation and budget in a socialist manner have become so loud that now our bobble supplier has designed a "Socialist Obama" titled "OBOKER," a play off Heath Ledger's evil Joker who sought social upheaval in the The Dark Knight. Do you think that Obama's agenda is exactly what the country needs or a push into socialism?

View Results

Bobbles provided by www.PoliticalWobbles.com and EME Enterprises.

Put Washington Whispers on Your Site

Keep up with all the latest Washington news and gossip by adding our Washington Whispers widget to your website.

Get this widget ยป

Twitter and Facebook

facebook and twitter icons

Whispers on the Web

Friend Paul on Facebook.

Follow Paul on Twitter.

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
Make USNews.com your home page.