On Monday Assemblyman Tom Ammiano introduced a bill that would legalize marijuana. The purpose of legalization would be no other than taxation. With the state still being pushed towards the deficit cliff, any new source of funds seems like a good one.
Marijuana is reported to be California's cash crop raking in over $10 billion a year. That puts it above all other crops raised in the state. So of course the politicians see a new revenue stream and their eyes light up.
Of course a Republican would never propose the legislation. So it came down to Tom Ammiano, a Democrat, and guess where he's from. San Francisco of course.
So will the legislation pass? I really don't think so. Of course new revenue is what the state really needs but at what cost is it willing to go to get it. Legalizing marijuana will change the whole dynamics of the drug war and issues surrounding drug use. MJ is still illegal nationwide and with the DEA raiding medical marijuana dispensaries at will, how will their policy change once the whole state is full of MJ. Concerning drug use, there might be a spike, there might not. MJ is already the most widely used drug. If someone wants to smoke it, they will. So if its available in stores, what is to say there will even be a spike. Those who want it, already have it. The fact that it is illegal really does not seem to be detering anyone.
If the legislation does pass though, I would not be surprised. California loves to take the lead and leave it up to the Democrats to want to tax it.
i dont know what they should do. because if they legalize it, wont the state be buying or recieving money from the drug cartels. do we really want dirty money?
Cigarette smoking on one hand is one of the filthiest habits anyone could have. Mary-Jane smoking is filthy, and it is illegal, and it destroys more brain cells. The cost is outrageous. It really does nothing for your health, although experts say it helps your eyes focus. (I'm about to laugh out loud).
Of course, the senator from San Fran has to get popular with his constituency somehow. Even if he loses his cause, which, I agree, he most certainly will. If Mary-Jane is legalized, it will be on a federal level, stupid senator...not on a state level...albeit "California" or not.
Thank you, senator, for your wit, intellect and thinking of such other alternatives to taxation. Check-in with The One, and see what other plans he has to tax the living hell out of Americans, once he gets through with all these spending sprees he is on. Obama-Lama Dingdong is like a kid in a candy store and given the opportunity to buy anything he wants in 15 minutes; fill the cart, kid! I will count on The One figuring on legalizing Mary-Jane, and Hillary Clinton [her husband and daughter] will be the very first ones to be behind The One when he stands in front of the mic, giving his 45-minute long speech, saying nothing that can be uttered in 2 minutes, to the American public on legalizing the weed-for-taxes BS.
Let's have a party, Senator Ammiano!
John King
If it was legalized in california im sure they would grow there own to sell not but it from mexican drug cartels. Also if marijuana is so bad and makes u so stupid then why have 2 of our last 3 presidents smoked it. I mean we could be kicking a future president or next albert einstein out of college cause he smoked some weed. Obviously weed didnt make obama or clinton too stupid they still won the presidency.