Legalizing Marijuana back in limelight

[Thor]

Its interesting that major networks in the US are talking about the possibility of legalizing pot, even though its a long shot at best outside of maybe California.

On CNN today a Harvard Professor who just wrote a book about the drug war said that the US per year would save about 44 billion from policing/prosecuting/imprisoning people, and another 33 billion from tax revenue. 77 Billion per year from just Marijuana.

Not to mention how many minor offenders with possession, even people in jail for being arrested with a bong would be out of prison, they shouldn't be in jail for such a ridiculous small offense. There was a kid in Texas recently arrested for possessing a bong, and was sentenced to 3 yrs!

Parallels are being brought up to the great depression where they removed prohibition to help stimulate the economy, maybe this opportunity could at least allow California to move forward.

Too bad the Conservative government seems totally dis-interested in going to the decriminalization plans from the Chretien government.

[troutman]

You should have marijuana when listening to Limelight.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by troutman

You should have marijuana when listening to Limelight.

I knew it! You're a hippy lawyer!

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Thor

I knew it! You're a hippy lawyer!

Can hippies be bald?

[Thor]

Originally Posted by troutman

Can hippies be bald?

Most definitely, Carlin was almost bald.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Thor

Too bad the Conservative government seems totally dis-interested in going to the decriminalization plans from the Chretien government.

I'm not sure that's totally fair.

I think the Conservatives, like most Canadians, are quite divided on the issue.

Marijuana can impair one's ability to operate a vehicle just as alcohol can, but its much harder to test for, save for cops doing on-the-spot urine tests. So if you legalize it, you have to devise a quick and effective testing procedure.

As well, at the time, the (currently Evangelical backed) Republican Party was in power and very opposed to such measures. While this means little to internal affairs, it means a lot if it means the border gets that much tighter, damaging US relations, as well as causing significant domestic political turmoil. It simply wasn't deemed pragmatic or worth the risk.

If the US takes the lead on it... and by that, California, Oregon and some border states, it makes it easier for Canada to do so as well, while still promoting a looser border and more open exchange of workers. As you mentioned, it could be promoted as a form of economic stimulus and increased tax revenue.

[Thor]

I really think Decriminlization is really not the way to go in Canada, we should go straight for legalization and do this properly. I would be shocked if the conservatives would even entertain the thought, but maybe I'm just not well informed on their stance.

I do think like Gay marriage in Canada, the majority would go for legalization IF the government leadership would be honest and open about a discussion. Problem is people have way too many misconceptions and misunderstanding about the issue.

I mean prostitution should be legalized and controlled as well, but no one touches it because firstly any politician wants to protect their own ass to stay in office or get elected.

We'd need some brave politicians to take up that cause, and I just don't see that happening for quite some time, even though I think we'll see legalization in our lifetimes and probably the same thing for prostitution.

[mikey_the_redneck]

That is some serious coin.
Imagine how rich B.C. would be if weed were legal?
Between Alberta's oil and B.C.'s bud we will have the most powerful economy in the world!

[CaptainCrunch]

I don't have problems with grass being legalized, I'm not convinced that it will reduce gang activity or criminal activity because they'll just throw their resources into harder drugs, and you can never convince me to legalize coke or crack or any of the other horrendus life destroying drugs out there.

The previous poster is right, they have to look at the impaired driving and operating laws and mirror them.

They also have to keep penalties in place for adults supply grass to minors.

There would also be the cost of setting up the infastructure and the retail outlets..

You would still need to go after people that are growing for private profit, if we're going to legalize it there has to be proper quality control and distribution with over site.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

That is some serious coin.
Imagine how rich B.C. would be if weed were legal?
Between Alberta's oil and B.C.'s bud we will have the most powerful economy in the world!

I can imagine how happy those B.C. growers would be if they couldn't sell their stash privately without submitting taxes to the government.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Thor

I really think Decriminlization is really not the way to go in Canada, we should go straight for legalization and do this properly. I would be shocked if the conservatives would even entertain the thought, but maybe I'm just not well informed on their stance.

I do think like Gay marriage in Canada, the majority would go for legalization IF the government leadership would be honest and open about a discussion. Problem is people have way too many misconceptions and misunderstanding about the issue.

I mean prostitution should be legalized and controlled as well, but no one touches it because firstly any politician wants to protect their own ass to stay in office or get elected.

We'd need some brave politicians to take up that cause, and I just don't see that happening for quite some time, even though I think we'll see legalization in our lifetimes and probably the same thing for prostitution.

I agree that decriminalization is half-assing the issue.

People still have to go to criminals (unless they intend to decriminalize sales, even then, many pot dealers deal other things) to get their weed, and it remains difficult to regulate and tax. The best time to try for something like this is actually right now. Moderates in both countries, economic downturn, room for a new industry to set up and create a niche, etc.

Prostitution on the other hand may be mankind's oldest industry, but I highly doubt that will get legalized and regulated any time soon. Not that there aren't some inherent benefits to doing so, there are significant moral issues to make selling sex for money an accepted industry. Its a significant moral leap from stripping to fornicating.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

I agree that decriminalization is half-assing the issue.

People still have to go to criminals (unless they intend to decriminalize sales, even then, many pot dealers deal other things) to get their weed, and it remains difficult to regulate and tax. The best time to try for something like this is actually right now. Moderates in both countries, economic downturn, room for a new industry to set up and create a niche, etc.

I agree, and even though private growers make more money now because of it being illegal, I'm sure all of them would prefer legalization so they wouldn't go to jail for growing.

Prostitution on the other hand may be mankind's oldest industry, but I highly doubt that will get legalized and regulated any time soon. Not that there aren't some inherent benefits to doing so, there are significant moral issues to make selling sex for money an accepted industry. Its a significant moral leap from stripping to fornicating.

I just don't get the 'moral' argument, when the harm having it illegal is so massive, drugs, disease, abuse by gangs/pimps, etc.. Places that run legal prostitution are leaps/bounds safer and better for the women who choose to be in such an industry.

Then when there's legal choices out there, you can focus the police effort onto sex trafficking and child prostitution which needs all the resources we can throw at them.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I can imagine how happy those B.C. growers would be if they couldn't sell their stash privately without submitting taxes to the government.

They would make more money anyways because they wouldnt have to hide their operation, and could expand under the new rules.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Thor

I agree, and even though private growers make more money now because of it being illegal, I'm sure all of them would prefer legalization so they wouldn't go to jail for growing.

Well, it really doesn't matter what they think, its not about them, its about improving society and increasing revenue. I'm sure some would be pissed they will be taxed for their pot operations (or still jailed for non-compliance). I'm sure some will be happy to be legit.

I just don't get the 'moral' argument, when the harm having it illegal is so massive, drugs, disease, abuse by gangs/pimps, etc.. Places that run legal prostitution are leaps/bounds safer and better for the women who choose to be in such an industry.

Then when there's legal choices out there, you can focus the police effort onto sex trafficking and child prostitution which needs all the resources we can throw at them.

I agree that there's significant benefit in protecting those people and removing a source of income from gangs/pimps/thugs etc.. I think as a society, we don't like to legitimize that sort of action, and tacitly accept that women are treated as a source of amusement. Then again, I'm more a pragmatist than a moralist, I'm sure someone could give a better argument.

[Azure]

Another bonus would be all those people with a criminal record that are unable to get a job suddenly wouldn't need to put on their resume, or have their background checked to reveal that they got busted for smoking pot.

I would legalize it. And tax the hell out of it. I'm sure they could hit $100 billion with it every year. Use that money to directly pay of the debt.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Azure

I would legalize it. And tax the hell out of it. I'm sure they could hit $100 billion with it every year. Use that money to directly pay of the debt.

Yup. Me too. Finally a way to get those damn hippies to pay some taxes!

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

They would make more money anyways because they wouldnt have to hide their operation, and could expand under the new rules.

Can you imagine all of the houses which would then be bought and converted to a legal grow-op?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by calculoso

Can you imagine all of the houses which would then be bought and converted to a legal grow-op?

Directly causing even more growth in the economy.

Its a win/win for everyone.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by calculoso

Can you imagine all of the houses which would then be bought and converted to a legal grow-op?

Wouldn't happen, they'd be forced to only grow them in commercial or industrial sites.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I don't have problems with grass being legalized, I'm not convinced that it will reduce gang activity or criminal activity because they'll just throw their resources into harder drugs, and you can never convince me to legalize coke or crack or any of the other horrendus life destroying drugs out there.

The previous poster is right, they have to look at the impaired driving and operating laws and mirror them.

They also have to keep penalties in place for adults supply grass to minors.

There would also be the cost of setting up the infastructure and the retail outlets..

You would still need to go after people that are growing for private profit, if we're going to legalize it there has to be proper quality control and distribution with over site.

Ahh why not go all the way--more moolah-- we could just allow it to be sold to the colored's(negroes, whatever they call them these days). They're animals anyway so let them lose their souls.