Just Came To My Senses....Was It A Dream(Weed Legalization) (living, law)

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by Everest209

Oh, another thing, you don't think dealers, growers aren't going to have something to say about taking away there biggest source of cash. And I don't mean lobbying for change, I mean violence.

Most people are under the delusion that the people who grow and sell pot are harmless, gentle hippies.

[BRinSM]

here's the thing everyone, people make bad decisions that have horrible outcomes everyday. however, people also deserve to be allowed the freedom to partake in activities that don't effect the lives of others. most pot smokers get high in their rooms and keep to themselves (at least from my experiences). unfortunately drunk drivers kill people everyday as well, but outside a small contingent of MADD members, you don't see people clamoring for alcohol prohibition part deux. don't even get me started on guns and i'm not even in the pro gun control crowd.

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

here's the thing everyone, people make bad decisions that have horrible outcomes everyday. however, people also deserve to be allowed the freedom to partake in activities that don't effect the lives of others. most pot smokers get high in their rooms and keep to themselves (at least from my experiences). unfortunately drunk drivers kill people everyday as well, but outside a small contingent of MADD members, you don't see people clamoring for alcohol prohibition part deux. don't even get me started on guns and i'm not even in the pro gun control crowd.

The problem is that it often does effect the life of others, in multiple ways.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Everest209

Oh, another thing, you don't think dealers, growers aren't going to have something to say about taking away there biggest source of cash. And I don't mean lobbying for change, I mean violence.

That didn't happen when Prohibition was ended. Many of North America's wealthiest families owe their fortune to bootlegging. The Bronfmans and the Kennedys come to mind. The dealers and growers would use their money to go into legit business - which would result in more businesses being started and more jobs as a result, helping to stimulate the economy.

The marijuana market is one of pure competition ; barriers to entry are very low and demand is large enough that no single group could achieve monopoly or oligopoly. Security issues could be addressed not by keeping weed illegal but merely having better security, as the illegal behaviors that surround a minority of the clinics right now would still be illegal regardless if weed itself is legal.

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by majoun

Security issues could be addressed not by keeping weed illegal but merely having better security, as the illegal behaviors that surround a minority of the clinics right now would still be illegal regardless if weed itself is legal.

It's not just the clinics, it's the grow houses. That's where the real danger lies. Suburban neighborhoods full of clandestine grows... it's already happening. How would you like to raise your family next door to that?

[BRinSM]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

The problem is that it often does effect the life of others, in multiple ways.

you know what else effects the lives of others, me driving to work everyday and adding the frustration that is traffic congestion. you know what else sucks, i have an alcoholic family member that i have to deal with semi regularly. and guess what, he/she can walk into any market on any corner and grab more of their poison that continues to ruin their life and cause hardship in mine. should we ban drinking because of this? i don't think so and it's not hard to do some research and figure out why. ultimately, i guess i think that life is just too short to worry about such trivial issues.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

It's not just the clinics, it's the grow houses. That's where the real danger lies. Suburban neighborhoods full of clandestine grows... it's already happening. How would you like to raise your family next door to that?

It's already a reality and I fail to see how legalization would make that worse. If anything legalization would mean more control over any potential problems created by a minority of grow houses.

And the people who do grow weed come from literally all walks of life, you'd be surprised who's growing. Many of those ultra-wealthy in La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe have grow rooms.

As for raising a family next to a grow house, as long as it did not generate any additional problems (the majority don't generate any additional problems) it would be no big deal.

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by majoun

As for raising a family next to a grow house, as long as it did not generate any additional problems (the majority don't generate any additional problems) it would be no big deal.

One exploded about a half mile from my house. Those dudes are notorious for stealing electricity.

Sorry, I have kids, no way I am living next to a grow house.

[ploopy]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

The state will never figure out how to create a business and tax structure to remove the illegality (is that a word?) and destroy the insanse profits inherent in the growing and distribution of marijuana. Without that, legalization will essentially amount to amnesty for criminals and a financial gain which is a fraction of the real value of the essentially worthless product.

Why would anyone willing to break the law for all these years suddenly decide to go legit when it means their profits are reduced by 5000%? Answer: they wouldn't.

Until the grower, distributor, dealer are regulated and taxed, there can be no legalization, and one thing I have come to believe after 15+ years in California, our state government is not capable of conceiving such a plan.

it doesn't have to be "legal" to tax it. its a product being bought and sold "legally" in california and los angeles for medical use. w/e a person thinks about that is besides the point. its there and available for taxation. trouble is los angeles makes dispensaries run as "non profits" and every sale considered a "donation." please!

even though doctors write the "recommendations." which aren't allowed to be called "prescriptions." because you can't prescribe what isn't fda approved or w/e

but sure, of course you could tax it. the MMJ dispensaries in los angeles are stocked high with the best weed in the world. provided by local and state growers that are more into farming then violence. prices haven't plummeted, but a person can now get for $40 what they used to pay $60 for. thats called market competition. these people know what they are growing, and they aren't just going to give it away. and many take credit cards!

weed grows wild in many parts of the state. we have it, lets use it. oh, and this:

Tax Cannabis 2010

keep it "illegal." but that doesn't mean anything except more crime and lost tax revenue potential. and of course its illegal to drive "under the influence." of anything. that doesn't change.

[Fontucky]

They steal electricity so the sudden high usage doesn't raise any suspicion flags.