Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Think again. People are still go to jail on petty charges. Just like with cigarettes, now it will be the Eric Garners who are in black and/or grey markets and represent a threat to the state sanctioned trade, and the tax revenue thereof.
This is how it is working out in Washington state:
Quote:
“I think there’s been broader recognition of the need,” said Candice Bock, a lobbyist for the Association of Washington Cities. Since legalization, she said, “There’s more pressure on locals to do more enforcement against the black market.”
So-called legalization appears to have intensified, not diminished, the war on the wacky tobacky.
This is how it is working out in Washington state:
So-called legalization appears to have intensified, not diminished, the war on the wacky tobacky.
No it hasn't, it has just brought it a little more to the forefront. I assure you that regardless of ungodly taxes, black market sales in WA (and the other states where retail sales have been legalized) are down from where they were.
I realize there are still problems related to the cannabis black market, but after being SO demonized and SO insanely illegal for SO long, I'll take these baby steps.
No it hasn't, it has just brought it a little more to the forefront. I assure you that regardless of ungodly taxes, black market sales in WA (and the other states where retail sales have been legalized) are down from where they were.
I realize there are still problems related to the cannabis black market, but after being SO demonized and SO insanely illegal for SO long, I'll take these baby steps.
I agree that we are in baby-step mode here, but the question is baby-steps towards what? If the war on drugs intensifies, and more are locked up for drawing outside of the lines, is it really progress?
Eventually a state like Illinois will move to the model that has been established here in Washington state. Marijuana is legal, but with such ungodly high taxes that a black market remains, so that police and corrections still have plenty of work to do, and their union dues and campaign contributions keep flowing.
The MJ black market is so big it will never be eliminated or even controlled. "In 2012, over 4.7 million people reported selling illegal drugs, ..."
I agree that we are in baby-step mode here, but the question is baby-steps towards what? If the war on drugs intensifies, and more are locked up for drawing outside of the lines, is it really progress?
I did not say business was bad for the black market. What I did say is that black market sales are lower than they were before legalization. But obviously with so much demand there is still plenty of the pie going towards black market sales.
Once more balanced tax laws are applied, the black market will continue to shrink.
But for right now, in Oklahoma for example, if you are caught with even a small amount you can get a felony, jail time, and be subject to asset forfeiture. I sincerely believe that once it is decriminalized in Oklahoma that won't happen anymore. However, if you are a black market dealer, you are still fair game for the war on drugs.
If I am right about that, then the amount of harm reduction will be substantial, even if black market dealers do feel an increase in pressure from law enforcement.
In fact, the legitimate retailers and wholesalers in places like Colorado welcome stepped-up enforcement when it comes to black market dealers. Just like any business in any legitimate industry would.
I hope Gov. Rauner signs the damn thing. He is a Republican after all, and everyone knows they are closely allied with the prison industrial complex. However, he is on record saying we need to quit jailing people for petty offenses. Illinois cannot afford to pay our prison guards and we have to reduce the number of inmates. Democrats are now going to make our new Governor stand behind his word. I think he will sign it. Medical marijuana is due to start this year in Illinois as well, but there are issues with permits right now and Rauner inherited it from a Democratic governor as soon as he took office 8 months ago.
Hopefully he works this out with the grow farms and dispensaries, they are still arguing over which medical conditions qualify.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
