California tax officials want to legalize pot

[cityboi]

With California being in such great debt, tax officials there want to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. A bill to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol would generate nearly $1.4 billion in revenue. Like alcohol, you'd have to be 21 and older to smoke pot. This bill could get to the voters and if polls are any indication, there is a good chance it could pass. a national poll showed that nearly 50% of Americans think pot should be legal. Also in 1996 state voters approved the use of marijuana for medical purposes. However legalizing pot could produce similar problems found in the use of alcohol. It wouldn't be safe to drive if you are high on pot and it doesn't take much pot to get high unlike alcohol where you need several drinks before you are drunk. Also pot users have a higher risk for lung cancer than cigarette smokers. whatever you think about the use of pot morally, it would likely cut down on a lot of crime through the illegal black market sell of pot. This case may end up in the supreme court ultimately because technically there is a federal ban on the use of pot.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090716/ap_on_...marijuana_taxes

[Charlotteman]

It's almost absurd to think this is 2009, and outright ignorance and sensationalism toward pot has kept it illegal. Anyone with half a brain knows it's one of the most benign substances mankind consumes.

Europe has already moved away from the Drug War rubbish. Many countries have legalized pot, and other drugs. And their societies are doing just fine.

Bravo to Gov. Arnold in California for having the guts to stand up and bring this to a public debate.

[Charlotte_native]

A bill to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol would generate nearly $1.4 billion in revenue.

[Allison Slater]

In the 1920s, we quickly figured out the prohibition was not going to work. It amazes me it's taken this long for politicians to realise this is just a repeat of history.

[KalisPeter]

Seeking any means of revenue possible amidst a crippling, statewide revenue shortfall, a bill to regulate and tax the growth and sale of marijuana has been proposed in California. Tax officials in that state estimate that, as written, the bill would generate $1.4 billion in revenue for the state, including $990 million from a $50 per ounce state fee and $392 million in sales taxes. The bill was introduced initially be Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco assemblyman, who suggested that marijuana be legal for adults 21 years old and older to grow, sell and possess.

[Charlotteman]

In the 1920s, we quickly figured out the prohibition was not going to work. It amazes me it's taken this long for politicians to realise this is just a repeat of history.

[FromCityToRural]

I say go for it! The drug war is costly to prosecute, contributes to prison overcrowding (which is a particular problem in CA), and is unwinnable. There's no reason we shouldn't tax, regulate, and concentrate on rehab for addicts of harder drugs instead of prison. Let's quit creating more criminals when we have murderers, rapists, and robbers on the street committing real crimes.