Now here's some outside-the-box thinking that makes sense:
Calif. Assembly Bill Would Legalize, Tax Marijuana
A state legislator is reviving the debate about legalizing marijuana as a way of raising money for cash-strapped state and local governments.
Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, introduced legislation Monday, that if approved by the California Legislature, would put pot on the same legal footing as alcohol — legalizing its sale and having the state tax it.
Under AB 390, adults over the age of 21 would be allowed to buy marijuana from licensed sellers, and driving under the influence of it would be prohibited.
Ammiano said massive eradication efforts have failed [YOU THINK?!?!] to make a dent in this underground industry, so it's time to bring what he calls "a major piece of our economy into the light of day."
His proposal, which has been endorsed by some law enforcement officials, would tax all pot sales at a rate of $50 per ounce.
Ammiano called it "simply nonsensical" to keep marijuana, the state's top cash crop, unregulated and untaxed in light of the state's massive financial problems.
"With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense," Ammiano said at a news conference at the state building on Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco.
I in no way advocate drugs or their use, including alcohol, but neither do I wish to prohibit them from the people that want them. As long as a person is not directly endangering others by their use/abuse of drugs, they can mainline Drano for all I care.
Of course, this isn't going to get even close to being signed into law. Too many drug warriors, those beefy, brush-cut boys in paramilitary garb who think they somehow aren't civilians, et al, not to mention idiot politicians, have a vested interest in keeping the already-lost War on Drugs going. So precious, dwindling resources will continue to be wasted on a lost cause.
It impovrishes the imagination.
Take care.
DAL357
2 comments:
You might be surprised. I have a family member who is a cop. I know a lot of his friends. I would venture to guess that 90%+ favor some kind of pot legalization.
The problem is with the Feds. It might be California legal, but it would still be US illegal.
Funny, I don't recall the constitutional article or amendment that gives them that power.
Amiano is a screaming communist, but I agree with him on this one. I just don't admit it in public ;-)
I think Kalifornia challenging the feds would be awesome.
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