The chief argument against legalizing marijuana is that "marijuana is a gateway drug." This is crap, pure and simple. The only reason marijuana could be considered a gateway drug is, because it's illegal, those who wish to use marijuana are in contact with people who sell other illegal drugs.
The second most quoted thing about marijuana is that "marijuana has no medicinal value." IF this is true then how do you explain Marinol (a synthetic from of THC, the "active ingredient" in marijuana)?
Marijuana was originally made illegal because people with big money started a smear campaign. Marijuana was painted as evil NOT because of anything to do with marijuana itself but because those money men were invested in chemicals, specifically chemicals used to make paper from wood. Why? Because HEMP, a close cousin of cannabis (marijuana) makes superior paper WITHOUT the use of the chemicals needed to make paper from wood.
The continuing illegality of marijuana prevents the use of hemp, the longest and strongest natural plant fibers. Entire industries could benefit from the legalization of marijuana as it would allow the use of hemp which can be used to make literally thousands of products ranging from clothing and food to composite materials for construction and even plastics and fuel.
In short the benefits of legalizing marijuana go FAR beyond merely letting people get high, and the potential for revenue goes far beyond taxing marijuana.
Legalize and Tax Marijuana?
Mopeder
2012/03/31 07:20:11
|
|
|||||
|
15 votes
|
|
7% | ||
|
6 votes
|
|
3% | |||
|
30 votes
|
|
14% | |||
|
157 votes
|
|
75% | ||
Read More: http://www.legalizationofmarijuana.com
Top Opinion
-
Thomas Olson 2012/03/31 07:48:06
Reduces the cost of enforcement.
Reduces cost of our prison systems.
Removes a commodity from cartel profits.
Reduces the number of persons with criminal records.
Adds to government income at all levels.
Personally, I think we should legalize it and tax it for this reason: prosecuting costs way too much money in a time when we lack money, jailing people for pot takes way too much money -- keeping them in jail, keeping them out of the work force, and taxing it will generate gobs of cash. Regulate it -- change ATF to ATFM (or whatever).
Govenment should not be involved if this were a Perfect World.
Have any of you had the miserable experience of living next to a drunkard? Unfortunately, we have, not just once but twice over our near 25 years together. Waking up to a drunken neighbor stuck in your tree (she decided to climb a sap oozing pine tree) is a miserable way to start one's day.
In order not to be blatant hyprocrits, we should tax both alcohol and marijuana. Hey, the cartels make a lot of money off pot, why shouldn't we reap the benefits for a change. This income could help in so many ways it's not funny. We're letting profits go into the hands of criminals who then engage in further criminal activity.
Oh, I could go on and on, but I think you get my point of view on this one.
That said, I AM for legalization, and tax the hell out of it! Take some of the drug money out of the hands of criminals, and put it back in the economy!
'Dave's not here man'
"I know, I'm Dave, let me in'
"No way man, Dave's not here'
'Man this IS Dave, let me in the cops are coming'
'Dave's not here man'
.
.
.
Some say it would cause more problems like traffic accidents or criminal activity... I say "Book'em Danno" for the crimes committed. But if they choose to sit in the privacy of their own home and drug them selves into a comatose vegomatic, that fine by me so long as my tax bucks don't have to fund the moron's rehab costs. That can be paid for by taxing the crap out of the drugs in the first place.
Hey, I like to hunt and fish... and hunting & fishing licenses PAY FOR the Department of Natural Resources which helps hunters, fishermen and maintains rules and regs for the environment. The drugs should do the same for the dopers... let their own taxes pay for the regulation, enforcement and addict rehab. If people can commit suicide, then they should be allowed to kill themselves with the poison of their choice.