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if this were true, it wouldn't be illegal. the government doesn't see enough money in it. that's why it's illegal.
You aren't seeing something here.. There will be billions of dollars in revenue, plus billions of dollars saved that we spend on the idiotic 'drug war', yet there will still be less money for big pharma and textile companies and so less money in the pockets of the decision makers (lobbyists). Money rules, in spite of health, rights and morality.
It doesn't have the votes, the Blue Dog coalition (and other Democrats) won't support, perhaps it will pick up some GOP members who are Libertarian leaning, but not enough. With Obama's very ambitious agenda, he can't afford to waste political capital... he has an election in 2012.
I find this very odd, both Parties have supporting regulating tobacco strongly (pretty much tax it out of existence), but some want to deregulate marijuana.
I just don't see it happening any time soon. I'm generally opposed to legalizing pot, but if it happens I won't be too upset, but the regulation on it needs to be extremely severe. I honestly don't see (besides medical purposes) why anyone actually needs to do drugs, just another vice. How many things that are addictive work for the good of society? Alcohol, gambling, tobacco, they all help destroy families and society. Pot won't be any different... but given the fact that I think that we need to spend more time and energy opposing marital benefits to gay couples and abortion, I won't really waste much time on this topic.
In California the main strength behind the legalization campaign is the $1 billion dollars pot tax revenue would add to the states badly diminished coffers.
California is about 16% of the population, so you could say that we would have an extra $6B in revenues... Nothing too significant in times where the US spends $1.4B on interest from debt daily.
It doesn't have the votes, the Blue Dog coalition (and other Democrats) won't support, perhaps it will pick up some GOP members who are Libertarian leaning, but not enough. With Obama's very ambitious agenda, he can't afford to waste political capital... he has an election in 2012.
I find this very odd, both Parties have supporting regulating tobacco strongly (pretty much tax it out of existence), but some want to deregulate marijuana.
I just don't see it happening any time soon. I'm generally opposed to legalizing pot, but if it happens I won't be too upset, but the regulation on it needs to be extremely severe. I honestly don't see (besides medical purposes) why anyone actually needs to do drugs, just another vice. How many things that are addictive work for the good of society? Alcohol, gambling, tobacco, they all help destroy families and society. Pot won't be any different... but given the fact that I think that we need to spend more time and energy opposing marital benefits to gay couples and abortion, I won't really waste much time on this topic.
You still have the mindset that the drug war, keeping drugs illegal, is effectively regulating it and keeping people from using it. Well that is seriously incorrect. Exactly because it is illegal, there is the black market, which is completely unregulated. Drug dealers don't pay taxes and they don't card minors. People still use it, and while you may think they shouldn't, you can't keep it from being used. I have to assume you think alcohol, gambling and tobacco should be illegal too, since you think that is the best and most moral way to keep the select few irresponsible users from "destroying families and society".
Well, there is a black market for pedophilia, prostitution, and guns...
Are you suggesting that we make those three legal, since "you can't regulate the black market" anyway.
Prostitution and guns, yes... You see, we should be punishing those idiots who actually do harm to society, not the responsible users caught in the crossfire of ignorance from both extremes.
And you don't see how a father who gets addicted to pot, goes broke, and can't provide for his family might be slightly harmful to society. Yes, I know that already happens, except we actually try and stop it from happening right now.
This Bill needs to pass. Back in VA, busted with a gram of pot will get your license suspended for 6 months and a $1,000 fine. That's state though but whatever, marijuana laws - very seriously - need to change. If the feds start to lighten up, the states will follow.
And you don't see how a father who gets addicted to pot, goes broke, and can't provide for his family might be slightly harmful to society. Yes, I know that already happens, except we actually try and stop it from happening right now.
Getting broke is completely different than getting 'addicted' to pot, especially if it were safe for him to grow it in his own home. And you are forgetting that the drug war is not working and responsible people are the victims.
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