Is California About To Legalize Marijuana?

Published on February 23rd, 2009

Posted by Uncle Dave in Politics, economy

Decreased enforcement and incarceration costs with tax benefits. Or put another way, less government spending, less governmental intrusion into people’s lives and ’sin’ taxes. What’s not for a conservative to like?

California would become the first state in the nation to legalize marijuana for recreational use under a bill introduced today by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco.

The proposal would regulate marijuana like alcohol, with people over 21 years old allowed to grow, buy, sell and possess cannabis – all of which is barred by federal law.

Ammiano said taxes and other fees that accompany regulation could put more than a billion dollars a year into state coffers at a time when revenues continue to decline. He said he anticipates the federal government could soften its stance on marijuana under the Obama administration.

“We could in fact have the political will to do something, and certainly in the meantime this is a public policy call and I think it’s worth the discussion,” Ammiano said. “I think the outcome would be very healthy for California and California’s economy.”

55 users responded in " Is California About To Legalize Marijuana? "

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# 1 GregA said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm

Man if I were one of those people in the green triangle growing pot in a closet somewhere I would be firmly against this. This would be a disaster for their whole way of life.

# 2 Bond said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:21 pm

Oh please, if anybody actually gave a shit about California’s economy they would overturn the ban on gay marriage.

“The State of California stands to earn more than $684.6 million over the next three years due to weddings and tourism generated by the legalization of same-sex marriages. It will create new jobs and generate revenue for state and local government. From 2008-2010, spending on tourism and weddings by same-sex couples would boost California’s economy by over $63.8 million, creating almost 2,200 new jobs. The state stands to gain $8.8 million from marriage license fees alone.”

Source: http://citizeneconomists.com/blogs/2008/07/16/positive-economic-impact-of-same-sex-marriages/

# 3 jrich said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm

Finally some common sense. We’ve been jailing millions for a drug considered to be about as dangerous as beer or asprin. I hope it passes.

# 4 Improbus said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:24 pm

Time to move to Cali and start a Victory garden.

# 5 Paddy-O said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm

It doesn’t matter how much revenue CA brings in. The leg will overspend. That’s been proven for the last 15 years. Ca doesn’t have a revenue problem. CA has a spending problem. It is already legal to buy and grow pot in CA. Spend a few $ and get a doctors note. Cheaper than paying tax on the pot.

# 6 . said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm

As long as they keep the gay marriage ban I wouldn’t see a problem with it.

# 7 Angel H. Wong said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:32 pm

#2 Bond,

The Mormons would never allow that to happen, they might as well force themselves to spend their vacations for a while trying to brainwash the authorities that is more profitable to cater to Bible thumpers.

# 8 John Hung said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:34 pm

Gotta love the source: thinkprogress.org

Yeah, they don’t have a bias.

# 9 sargasso said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm

I wonder if the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms division of the Treasury are going to be running the tax collection outfit – or if the tax funds are likely to stay in California?

# 10 deowll said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm

As safe as asprin it isn’t. Smoking a joint a day amounts to smoking a pack a day as for as lung damage goes. That’s planted a lot of people one of whom I watched die as in take their last breath. However by dying younger they help Social Security balance its books.

Not sure if its safer than booze or not but considering the number of dead bodies, divorces, and such it has created I’d say than is damning with faint praise.

To fight crime I might go for it but I’d also stick a tatoo on the dope heads.

A lot of dope heads can’t get jobs any more because they can’t pass the drug test.

So how will they get their money? Same place as always. Steal.

If people want to pay good money to ruin their lives and die young who am I to prevent them form winning their Darwin award?

# 11 Lou Minatti said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:47 pm

I doubt very much the government unions would approve. If dope is legalized there would be a lot of unemployed jailers, policemen, judges and attorneys. Not to mention the fact that Democrat lawmakers would see their donation income stream greatly reduced.

# 12 chuck said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:54 pm

The only way that a tax on marijuana would bring in any revenue would be if someone actually collected the tax from either the growers or the dealers.

We already have a federal government agency that goes after people who smuggle cigarettes: It’s called the ATF. So all this would do is lead to a massive amount of new government spending to pay for the ATF to kick in doors across the state.

Legalizing marijuana is a good idea. But don’t think you’ll get people to pay tax on something they can grow in the basement.

# 13 bill said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 5:12 pm

In your dreams! #12 is right.

# 14 Micromike said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 5:27 pm

I live in Mendocino County and our county would be bankrupt without pot, it is 2/3 of our economy, according to the county finance office. Let the growers declare their income and pay taxes. Get the prices down and get the crime out of it.

There are all kinds of people involved in growing pot. Highly placed city and county employees get busted with tens of pounds and eventually charges are dropped. Legalization would be better and might get the Mexican Nationals to go back to growing in Mexico.

# 15 Hugh Ripper said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 5:29 pm

#12 Chuck

Bad news to all the home brewers out there.

If its available legally at a reasonable price down the local shops, who’s gonna bother growing it?

# 16 amodedoma said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 5:41 pm

Nothing puts the economic crisis in perspective quite like cannabis.

# 17 Ralph, the School Bus Driver said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 6:05 pm

#15, Hugh,

A lot of people would still grow their own. The same as those who grow their own vegie gardens.

You just can’t beat going out to your garden and picking some fresh bud, drying it out, and serving it fresh with a little wine.

# 18 Mr. Fusion said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 6:07 pm

#10, deowll,

Smoking a joint a day amounts to smoking a pack a day as for as lung damage goes.

Bullshit.

# 19 faxon said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 6:18 pm

When Ammiano was a SF Supervisor, his stupidity was limited to the city of SF. Now, elected to the CA legislature by his gay constituents, the entire state has to put up with this asshole.

# 20 chris said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 6:35 pm

It would also decrease health care costs. In British Columbia people use 25% fewer prescription drugs compared to the rest of Canada. The only exception is an increased use of Viagra and similar.

Happy and healthy.

# 21 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 6:40 pm

Well.. If you can grow and smoke I’m sure nobody is going to pay tax on # of plants, especially ones who smokes.

But not everyone is going to grow it, you can brew your own beer, you can grow your own orange/apple/tobacco and all the vegetables you need but people still buy them at the store.

Growing good quality weed is not as easy, you think, you have to invest on a tons of equipments and pay for electricity. Most people will just go to local pot store and buy some and tax will be added on when you made purchase.

# 22 bill said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 pm

Legalize Meth and tax it if you want to generate 10 Billion $

Money is all that matters!

# 23 Paddy-O said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm

# 18 Mr. Fusion said, “Bullshit.”

Correct.

However, http://newsday.com/news/health/ny-hspot17-nws,0,788749.story

# 24 Hugh Ripper said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 pm

#17 Ralph

I concur. Except all the angst and paranoia due to its legal status kinda takes the shine off.

However that vast majority of people will probably just buy it, thus generating tax revenue.

# 25 bohemiansooap said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 7:20 pm

For crying out loud! Smoking marijuana doesn’t make you steal..there is a difference between “doing drugs” and smoking a reefer..it’s an herb…you can just grow it in the dirt with a seed. Lung cancer? Isn’t that for the individual to decide for themselves? Cigarettes are certainly legal..as for booze vs pot…I vote for pot simply because alcohol is notorius for breeding violence. It’s a known fact that pot is everywhere..why are we filling up our prisons and ruining our kids lives(who will always check it out)by throwing them in jail and giving them a record over something we all know is an HERB? Wouldn’t you rather see booze and DRUGS illegal and go back to “Make love not war”..”flower power”, back to the basics of organic & not synthetic? Weed will ALWAYS be here & your kids will ALWAYS be exposed to it..maybe its time we look at finding a way to fight the drug war by getting everyone to smoke weed and eat doritos.

[Poppies are just flowers that grow in the dirt from a seed... - ed.]

# 26 Paddy-O said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm

# 25 bohemiansooap said, “Smoking marijuana doesn’t make you steal..there is a difference between “doing drugs” and smoking a reefer..it’s an herb…”

And, opium is a flower. Bad justification. Also, shows lack of education.

# 27 Nimby said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 7:27 pm

#10, deowll, “Smoking a joint a day amounts to smoking a pack a day as for as lung damage goes.”

Nonsense. Studies have shown that people inhale marijuana smoke directly into the lungs and hold it there for a while. Tobacco smokers normally cool the smoke in their mouths for a moment before taking it into their lungs and then exhale rather quickly. This hot smoke damages the cilia and lining of your respiratory tract. I believe Mr Fusion has pointed you to one such study.

The real point here, though, is California (like most states) has established a tax base that is heavily reliant on tobacco while at the same time doing whatever it can to deny people the use of that tobacco. Now they need to replace that lost revenue. And they should probably be able to get away with taxing it at a much higher rate than tobacco or alcohol. Damn the effect on the public health!

Personally, I’m sick to death of seeing people go to jail or lose their jobs for smoking a little weed. I am in favor of decriminalizing it but for god’s sake let’s not claim it’s healthier than other sins.

# 28 FRAGaLOT said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 7:53 pm

What I don’t understand is how the state is going to tax the sales of pot. If they are allowing people to grow and sell their own pot (which people already DO!) how are they going to collect taxes from private sales? It’s not like they are earning any tax revenue from illegal sales of it as it is. I don’t think drug pushers will start paying sales tax.

The only way this would work is if it went commercial. Like buying cigarettes and beer at a local liquor store, you can tax the fuck out of them, rather than buying dime bags from your stoner friend.

# 29 BigBoyBC said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Ok, so pot becomes legal and is taxed, just like beer, booze and tobacco. They start jacking up the tax, like they did with tobacco, claiming “health reasons”. People getting pulled over for traffic violations and they start doing drug tests, just like they do for booze. So on and so forth…

Sounds like were just exchanging one “minor problem” for many more “problems”.

Hey, if it’s just about the money, let’s start taxing the internet, couldn’t be any harder than taxing home grown pot…

# 30 FRAGaLOT said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:02 pm

#6 you’re a douchebag

#10 that’s wrong.

#12 exactly my thinking!

#22 It wouldn’t generate billions. It can only do that when it’s contraband on the black market. Once it’s legal and commercialized the price would drop like a rock to be competitive.

#25 Um no, if you tried to smoke another plant it could cause a lot of harm, if not kill you. Just because it’s “natural” dosen’t mean it still can’t harm or kill you.

>>>> Down with Pot Prohibition! <<<<

# 31 Hugh Ripper said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:22 pm

#26 Paddy da Troll

Are you inferring that opium / heroin makes you steal? People only steal to feed their habit because its ILLEGAL and very EXPENSIVE, not to mention cut with god know what on the street.

Personally I’d rather see junkies high, healthy and happy rather than strung out and stealing my shit or in jail learning to steal my shit quicker and better.

# 32 And Now for Something Completely Different said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:47 pm

Doesn’t matter, won’t happen. Pot won’t be legal for the same reason gay marriage isn’t more popular. Magic. Most of the country is fucking retarded idiots who believe in magically invisible beings who float in the sky and tell us what kind of meat we can eat and who we can have sex with and what is moral. It’s psychotic. Magic isn’t real. There is no invisible god who cares who I fuck or what I smoke. If you believe in an invisible unprovable magical being, I can’t argue you out of it…but you’re insane.

# 33 MikeN said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:48 pm

Drug crimes make up about 20% of the prison population. So even if you legalized ALL drugs, your crime problem is about 80% of what it is now, maybe a little less if you say it gets rid of other crimes as well.

# 34 oplama said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:56 pm

They could grow it in state prisons and sell it in special shops, then most of the money generated by the sale could go strait to the state.

# 35 888 said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 9:07 pm

Legalizing drugs: desperate attempt to rake more tax monies for govt. Thats all there is to it.

But since marijuana will fall under ATF (obviously), it will be taxed to death (like cigarettes are) so nothing will change!
Many people will still buy smuggled illegal- but tax-free – marijuana from the same dealers…

# 36 Lou Minatti said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 9:50 pm

“Ok, so pot becomes legal and is taxed, just like beer, booze and tobacco. They start jacking up the tax, like they did with tobacco, claiming “health reasons”. People getting pulled over for traffic violations and they start doing drug tests, just like they do for booze. So on and so forth…”

OK… and? We stop jailing adults for their personal vices and enforce laws against those who endanger others. Smoking pot is stupid and lethal when it is done long enough, but it’s not my business if an adult wants to do that to themselves. However, when they endanger others while engaged in this activity they should be arrested. Seems pretty Constitutional to me.

# 37 Derek Clark said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 pm

So many pros, so few cons.

1. Increase revenue
2. Decrease expenses – less enforcement costs and we reduce the overcrowded prisons
3. These combine to help with the current budget crisis in many stats, especially California
4. Safer or at least not any worse than alcohol or tobacco, it makes no sense for it to be illegal
5. We really have to start learning from history. Prohibition failed so miserably with alcohol and we are going through the same thing with marijuana.

I just wrote a post on this as well – for more info check out http://geekpolitics.com/legalize-marijuana/

# 38 RBG said, on February 23rd, 2009 at 11:29 pm

4. Don’t need more fuzzy-brained people killing kids on highways.

5. Prohibition just caused traffickers to move to more dangerous drugs, as would be the case if mj was legalized. Negating #3.

RBG

# 39 Lou said, on February 24th, 2009 at 5:08 am

Never will happen. The gov needs the weed demon to take away your rights.
Remember all those crack babies.
Oh Ya, where are all those crack babies anyway ?

# 40 tcc3 said, on February 24th, 2009 at 5:58 am

Yes and it also causes a maniacal rage called….”Reefer madness” {echo} madness, madness{/echo}

Guys, the 1950s called. They want their propaganda back.

# 41 Paddy-O said, on February 24th, 2009 at 5:58 am

# 35 888 said, “But since marijuana will fall under ATF (obviously), it will be taxed to death ”

Umm, no. ATF is Fed. It is still illegal under federal law. You’d be jailed, not taxed.

# 42 Mr. Fusion said, on February 24th, 2009 at 6:37 am

#39, Lou,

Oh Ya, where are all those crack babies anyway ?

Foster homes, many with physical and mental issues.

# 43 jimbo said, on February 24th, 2009 at 7:15 am

#10

The people of which you speak are MORONS. Some people handle it, hold down a good job, live wonderful lives while others as you mentioned don’t have the psyche to regulate it and thus end up having a shit life…..

As to your point about theft, who ever stole to pay for a $10 bag of puff?

# 44 jimbo said, on February 24th, 2009 at 7:18 am

#18

Couldn’t have said it better myself!

Deowll – to be equivilent to smoking a pack a day you would need to put a pack a day into your j…..If you want to suck the propaganda teet be my guest, just keep it to yourself and your children. If you don’t know, don’t post

# 45 BubbaRay said, on February 24th, 2009 at 9:45 am

Just watch the first 2 or 3 minutes, and you’ll understand why your parents and grandparents are so afraid of “Reefer Madness.”

I suppose if you’re stoned, you could watch the whole movie. There is a “full screen” button.

# 46 MikeN said, on February 24th, 2009 at 10:08 am

By the way, National Review has been endorsing legalizing drugs for decades.

# 47 morram said, on February 24th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

I’m not trying to change the subject but if we made old man with young boy sex and old man with young girl sex legal maybe they’d let us smoke our pot..?

# 48 MikeN said, on February 24th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Funny how people who want to legalize drugs tend to be the people that want to ban smoking…

# 49 Paddy-O said, on February 24th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

#48 And they tend to be people who think they have a right to the money in your wallet…

# 50 hhopper said, on February 24th, 2009 at 1:55 pm

If they legalize marijuana, what happens to all the people that are in prison on marijuana charges?

# 51 Paddy-O said, on February 24th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

# 50 hhopper said, “If they legalize marijuana, what happens to all the people that are in prison on marijuana charges?”

There’s almost no one in CA state prisons on Pot charges.

Non-issue.

# 52 James Hill said, on February 24th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Failed liberal editors can’t get far past 50 posts with this crap anymore. How sad.

# 53 Shastadad said, on February 24th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

Your living in a dream world if you people in California think that the Federal Government is going to allow you to legalize anything. You have not had much luck with Medical Marijuana, why would you even think this is going to be any different. There are too many DEA agents with a vested interest to allow this to happen.

# 54 tcc3 said, on February 24th, 2009 at 6:58 pm

Also funny how the people who supposedly advocate small government and personal responsibility forget those principles when butting into others lives on supposed “moral” grounds.

Hey its the JHill bot spamming up the blog. The wonders of modern technology…

# 55 Glenn E. said, on February 25th, 2009 at 4:29 am

Oh it’s so damn simple. Decriminalize the sale production and sale of Pot. But make it illegal to smoke too much of it. Just like booze. You can buy all you want. But just don’t drink yourself into a coma. Or get behind a wheel of a car, after two drinks. Or even just walk around, unattended, total blitzed. Or they’ll haul you off to jail, to sober up. The only ones really scared about pot being sold legally, is the Tobacco industry. They don’t want any cheap competition, from a plant anyone could grow in their backyard. The legal status is what keeps it a high priced commodity, and a dangerous one to distribute. Imagine if Heintz and Del Monte kept it illegal to raise your own tomatoes. Their price would be sky-high. And illegal veggie farmers would operate like drug pushers. There’d be turf wars, etc. You do know that at one time they though tomatoes were poisonous? No doubt pot has been overly demonized too. It can’t be any worse than alcohol. And the US dropped its ban on liquor sales after 1933. In the US people probably drank far more when it was illegal, than after it was legalized. Legal pot will probably become “old hippy smokes” in a very short time.

It’s those more serious chemical addictions they should be really worried about. And the feds aren’t doing enough to regulate sales of the base chemicals involved in making that sh*t. So the chemical industry is getting off scout-free as being suppliers of the problem. And Tv and the movies won’t touch drug abuse, the way they do racism, the occult, and gay rights. Like people in Hollywood don’t do heroin or meth. What’s that? What hypocrites!!

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