Why not legalize marijuana and tax it, like liquor?
For generations, America’s drug laws have been stuck in a narrow and futile Prohibition that packs the prisons, abets narco-traffickers and costs states and the federal government millions for enforcement — all the while doing nothing to discourage drug use. I had grown used to the idea that the country would continue this madness for another several generations.
But a new consensus is beginning to emerge about marijuana — led by those who argue it should be legally available for medical uses. Now, many advocates are arguing that, more generally, marijuana should be legal. It’s probably no surprise that California figures prominently in the debate. The state has an initiative on the November ballot that would legalize weed and tax it.
A new study by the Rand Corp says legalizing the drug would likely lead to a drop in price and a rise in use. From the LA Times:
Researchers associated with the Rand Corp.’s Drug Policy Research Center said Wednesday that not much is certain about the potential impact of Proposition 19 except that the price of California’s choicest weed could plunge more than 80%, down from $300 to $450 per ounce to about $38.
“That’s a significant drop,” said Beau Kilmer, co-director of the center. “We’re very clear about the fact that the price will go down.”
The implications of such a drop would be profound. Kilmer and four other researchers who analyzed marijuana legalization said consumption would rise, but they could not determine with any certainty by how much. “We cannot rule out increases of 50% to 100% or perhaps higher, but we just don’t know,” he said.
Such a low price could also affect pot prices across the nation, encourage marijuana tourism in the state, increase the amount of pot shipped out of state, disrupt the smuggling of marijuana from Mexico and stimulate an underground market designed to avoid high taxes that might be imposed.
The most interesting part of that analysis lies in the view that legalizing marijuana would “disrupt the smuggling of marijuana from Mexico.” Well, of course it would. In the 1920s, Prohibition led to the rise of violent criminal cartels in the U.S. who grew quite rich selling liquor illegally. When Prohibition ended, so did their outsized violence.
The same would be true of illegal narcotics. Once they are legalized, the violent narcotics cartels would have no reason to exist. While research suggests caution in legalizing drugs such as cocaine, marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol.
Here’s hoping California legalizes marijuana, allowing the other states to study its experience. The coastal state may be able to reduce crime and find a new funding mechanism for its state budget — one state legislator has proposed a $50-per-ounce tax — in one bold stroke.
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301 comments Add your comment
kayaker 71
July 8th, 2010
7:39 am
Why not legalize it and forget about the tax? Why must we tax everything?
JohnnyReb
July 8th, 2010
7:44 am
And here I was all prepared to blast Ms Tucker for supporting Obama’s recess appointment of Donald Berwick. What do I get – weed!
Peadawg
July 8th, 2010
7:49 am
“Why not legalize marijuana and tax it, like liquor?”
I totally 100% agree. Building marijuana farms and factories would also…wait for it…create jobs!
While they’re at it…lift the ban on alcohol sales on Sunday. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that drinking a Corona during a Falcons game is a sin. Go overboard and getting plastered…yes. Having one or two w/ some hot wings and pizza…no.
Uncle Billy
July 8th, 2010
7:53 am
Liquor was illegal in most of Georgia when I was young in the late 40’s and 50’s, but it was widely available. The only bootleggers the local police caught were those who did not “tithe.” The only real danger was the ATF. Marijuana is the same today. It will never be stopped. It just leads to large criminal enterprises.
California NAACP chief criticized for backing pot prop. – San Jose Mercury News
July 8th, 2010
7:55 am
[...] dependsSan Francisco ChronicleStudy: Pot prices would plummet if Calif legalizesThe Associated PressAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -CNN International -AFPall 515 news [...]
RJBraun
July 8th, 2010
7:56 am
So, regulating cannabis sales to adults would increase it’s use? Ask yourselves. If you don’t care to use cannabis. Would you be inclined to use it once legalized? That’s right. I don’t drink or smoke & I’m not remotely interested in starting using pot either. The Rand study sounds just like the prohibitionists. They all assume we don’t need another drug & keeping prohibition in place is reducing cannabis use. That’s denial for ya. Wake up people. Prohibition has done such an excellent job of encouraging use of the ‘forbidden fruit’ (cannabis) that it’s hard to imagine how use could be increased. Anyone who really wants pot can easily get it in because prohibition has made it so profitable to grow & sell it. In fact, minors can get cannabis easier than the legal drugs, alcohol & tobacco, precisely due to prohibition. Because, prohibition has seen to it that only criminals don’t card for age. But, licensed merchants successfully prevent minors from getting booze & cigarettes 90% of the time. The same will hold true for cannabis sales once it’s regulated via legalization. In countries where adult cannabis use is allowed it has actually dropped to half our consumption. Why? Legalization takes the thrill out of cannabis use which otherwise is actually boring & use will actually drop, once the novelty fades. But, we need nationwide legalization to prevent drug tourism into California. Remember? It’s the “I’m a bad boy for disobeying prohibition” (reverse psychology)thinking that actually encouraged use of the drug called alcohol during the Volstead Act & is responsible for the use of cannabis today. The RAND didn’t think through their conclusion. Just like the prohibitionists didn’t foresee prohibition would increase cannabis use. Or, were prohibitionists wanting to create a drug war to give themselves long term employment? Either way, cannabis prohibition has been a 73 year long disaster for the American people. Prohibition has be so successful at making cannabis desirable that it use has increased 5000% just since Nixon’s time. We’re swimming in an ocean of cannabis now. How common will prohibition make cannabis use if we just let it keep working it’s magic for a few more years?
JohnnyReb
July 8th, 2010
7:56 am
“Here’s hoping California legalizes marijuana, allowing the other states to study its experience.”
Why not? They can all get stoned to escape their fiscal responsibilities. Their goals exceed their pocketbook, and in the end the whole country will pay for their screw-ups. Whackie-tabbacie would be no different.
Granny Godzilla
July 8th, 2010
7:57 am
Anybody see the History Channel piece last night about the Founding Fathers and Hemp? Seems they may have had a good buzz on!
Anyway, I support the legalization and taxation of marijuana and like liquor, individuals should be able to produce (without being taxed) sufficient quantities for personal use.
I have seen first hand the suffering aleviated in cancer patients who smoked a little grass or drank tea from the leaves….
quod erat demonstrandum
July 8th, 2010
8:00 am
Ignoring the impact it has on habitual users, let us think about the unfiltered marijuana cigarette.
Having bleed the tobacco companies for unsafe cigarettes we are going to allow another series of cancer causing gases and residues to kill off folks?
Personally, I think the slacker mentality is just fine, let the lazy veg-out and do nothing productive. We need bad examples to show our kids what happens when you abuse any substance.
Back in my day, it was taxed. When you were picked up with more than a certain amount, you were fined the taxable amount in addition to any other penalties.
Bubba Grump
July 8th, 2010
8:00 am
I agree 100% with legalization! We are spending way too much time and money and over crowding our prisons by prosecuting pot smokers. Cigarettes should be illegal not pot.
Ben
July 8th, 2010
8:00 am
Largest national debt and largest North American cash crop. Do the math, billions in tax revenue.
Yes I would
July 8th, 2010
8:02 am
Yes, I would start back smoking if it was legal! I dont drink and dont want to. But I will not risk a six figure job to smoke a little weed.
Peadawg
July 8th, 2010
8:02 am
“I have seen first hand the suffering aleviated”
So that’s where all your incoherent thoughts come from, Granny. They let y’all smoke in the nursing home. Now it all makes sense!!!!!
PinkoNeoConLibertarian
July 8th, 2010
8:02 am
While I have no issues with legalizing marijuana, don’t delude yourself into thinking it will have any affect whatsoever on the Mexican drug cartels. Their primary product is not weed, it’s cocaine and its derivatives.
Bob Constantine
July 8th, 2010
8:03 am
The substance is irrelevant. What is REALLY illegal is self ownership.
When peaceful people do not control THEIR own bodies, somebody else does. When somebody else controls your body, are you still free? If a person isn’t free, they are enslaved.
Who OWNS your body?
Jose Sanchez
July 8th, 2010
8:05 am
Its about time, these thoughts and ideas have been floating around since the 70`s. Only thing is; there is too much money being passed around and under the table while its illegal.Only the government would make a huge profit the smugglers and cartels would have to find a new product or increase export of another existing one.
Jeremy
July 8th, 2010
8:06 am
I am a leukemia survivor who many times had to tell the docs to stop the morphine. Was promptly but on percocet which took 3 months to detox off its use. Heroin based products legal while the best, non addictive, pain killer marijuana is not legal. Makes absolutely no sense.
Granny Godzilla
July 8th, 2010
8:07 am
Peadawg
You are just the cutest kid on the block and you know how crazy I am about you!
Even if you don’t have enough humanity to care about those who suffer.
Donny B.
July 8th, 2010
8:14 am
Beautiful Cynthia. I almost never agree with you but I must have rolled off the right side of the bed today b/c I agree wholeheartedly. And people are crazy if they don’t think this would majorly curtail the violence associated with the Mexican drug cartel. Sure they smuggle other drugs but the #1 drug they bring in is Marijuana. Legalize it and business takes a major hit for those thugs.
Union
July 8th, 2010
8:14 am
It would have to be taxed to cover all the law enforcement equipment that would be needed to test for people who were over the limit and driving or walking.. then we could put a new tax on junk food and chips.. make a little more on that.
Funny thing how people talk about over crowding the jails with such a minor offense. Why is it that people have such a hard time with the concept of breaking the law? You break it.. you get punished..
Fair Tax
July 8th, 2010
8:16 am
Tax weed only upon purchase, using the fairtax plan! 23% sales tax — no income tax–this will generate billions in sales of weed, bongs, pipes, munchies, etc.!!! The government needs to get with it now! Call linder and boortz for advice on how to implement the fair tax. They’ve written some books. Weed sales—will save the economy.
Tea Party Meber
July 8th, 2010
8:17 am
THATS IT TAX AND SPEND TAX AND SPEND……….NOTING CHANGES FOR THESE OBAMA BIN LANDEN TYPES
Union
July 8th, 2010
8:18 am
Here is a bigger question.. we legalize weed.. what are we going to do about drug tests for employment and the military? I would guess that some employers will have the choice of not allowing drug use as a base for employment?
joe shepherd
July 8th, 2010
8:19 am
it is all about the money,government makes more off fines and forefitures now when people get busted,here in colorado where i live,it is so nice to be able to go to the dispensery and get your “medicine”,pay the state taxes,and go home and medicate, while you smokers in redneck,retarded Georgia have to go buy it from a cartel thug on the street,may be get shot by an illegal alien,then maybe get stopped by the mobile taxation unit on the way home,spend the night in jail,all for wanting to have safer “medicine “
William Melvin Hicks
July 8th, 2010
8:21 am
Weed should be mandatory. Make people smoke it before they get in their cars. I can assure you road rage would be unheard of.
The only reason this will never happens is the police and paranoid law enforcement types need something to fight and protect us from. Just look at the midtown apartment that required SWAT, with a sniper in place to remove a handful of pot plants. Really? All that for plants? Only in America……
Kat
July 8th, 2010
8:21 am
I don’t smoke but I would occasionally if it was legal. I don’t drink at all thought. Alcohols effects are faaaaar work the marijuana’s are! I have never heard of anyone OD’ing or getting weed-poisoning! No hang over, less violent actions, and non-addictive. What’s the big freaking deal?
I am a productive, contributing citizen in the US why can’t I get naturally buzzed on my own time??
Honestly I would MUCH rather my kids experiment with weed than alcohol when they are teens…the risk of my daughters getting victimized while they are passed out is dang near null. They would be less inclined to go out and do anything destructive bc they would be too chill to do it….I mean if the worse that happens is they smoke, munch, and laugh their butts off I am ok with that.
Kat
July 8th, 2010
8:21 am
I don’t smoke but I would occasionally if it was legal. I don’t drink at all thought. Alcohols effects are faaaaar work the marijuana’s are! I have never heard of anyone OD’ing or getting weed-poisoning! No hang over, less violent actions, and non-addictive. What’s the big freaking deal?
I am a productive, contributing citizen in the US why can’t I get naturally buzzed on my own time??
Honestly I would MUCH rather my kids experiment with weed than alcohol when they are teens…the risk of my daughters getting victimized while they are passed out is dang near null. They would be less inclined to go out and do anything destructive bc they would be too chill to do it….I mean if the worse that happens is they smoke, munch, and laugh their butts off I am ok with that.
Freedom
July 8th, 2010
8:21 am
Legalize it. There is absolutely NO record whatsoever, of any pot related illness, or death. No one has ever died from a week overdose. I’ve been smoking it for over 30 years. I’m as healthy as a horse. I see my doctor regularly and she is informed of my “useage”.
midtownguy
July 8th, 2010
8:24 am
In a State so backward and bipolar in its thinking that I can buy alcohol in a restaurant by the drink on Sunday but not in a grocery store and where churches regularly serve alcohol to minors at the communion alter (although only a sip), I don’t hold out much hope for legalized marijuana in Georgia.
And I agree with the previous poster regarding rise in use, I don’t smoke it now and wouldn’t if it was legal.
Fundad
July 8th, 2010
8:24 am
Finally a rational thought from Ms.Tucker. The problem with legalizing weed is that the politicians & lawyers have created a cottage industry out of illegal weed. Look @ all of the govt resources devoted to enforcement of weed prohibition. They are’nt going to just roll over on this one.
Kat
July 8th, 2010
8:24 am
Union – I would prefer to have the real criminals in jail. Today, people who have too much marijuana in their possession actually serve more time than pedofiles do.
Kat
July 8th, 2010
8:25 am
Nope, I’m at work
HavocMaker
July 8th, 2010
8:26 am
CT – I am kinda torn about the whole legalization thing. Would you think or wonder whether the legalization of marijuana would begin to strain social/medical services in the long term as we, as a society, begin to deal with more and more people who have become addicted to the substance after long term use?
I think I must respectfully disagree with your statement that marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol. A quick Google search brought up some terrifying long-term effects. May I point you to this website for the National Institute on Drug abuse: http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html
Have a good day. And Stay Cool!!!
HM
Munchie Prices
July 8th, 2010
8:27 am
If they legalize weed, could that have an economic impact on a complementary good, munchies, to the detriment of these purchasers? More economic analysis is needed by some experts.
left wing
July 8th, 2010
8:28 am
First, I must confess that I’m pro-weed. I started smoking in college and smoked every day for about 15 years, until that killjoy, Nancy Reagan, decided to invade my personal liberties. Republicans are such a buzzkill.
However, it’s unclear if marijuana is leagalized, exactly how much revenue it would generate. Many, many people would grow their own. The price would then fall dramatically. I suspect that revenue projections are highly exaggerated.
There are 2 political effects; one is the tobacco/liquor lobbies in congress. Does anyone think that they won’t spend gigabucks to keep it illegal? The second is south of our border. The cartels in Mexico, Columbia, et al, generate gigabucks from the ilicit trade. I suspect they have as much influence on our congress as the corporate lobbiests. Which means, it won’t happen in our lifetimes.
neo-Carlinist
July 8th, 2010
8:29 am
to piggyback peadawg, yeah legalize it, and be sure it is availale 7 days a week (I can hear Sonny Perdue’s comments about encouraging ‘time management’ in stoners). with the exception of a couple serial contrations (johnnyreb?) there is not one rational, logical, LEGAL reason marijuana is illegal. the reasons it remains illegal are solely political and financial. do your homework folks, like the prohibition of alcohol, marijuana – which was legal – the push to ban pot was led by a handful of racist, theocrats who associated marijuana with negroes and Mexicans. the chicken littles claimed pot made brown-skinned males horny, and likely to copulate with white women (often against the will of the white women). this is just another example of criminalizing a behavior for the purpose of “fighting crime” (which stokes the fires of the criminal justice enterprise, especially the penal division). even if the state saw very little revenue in the way of taxes, due to “home grown” weed, it would still be a win/win because study after study suggests the real end game is removing a revenue stream for the Mexican cartels. but, drug interdiction is big business – including the Trojan horse of American soldiers covertly snooping around other countries. so yeah, great idea, we all agree. let’s not worry about it, the politicians will do what’s right.
Union
July 8th, 2010
8:30 am
Kat – define real criminal.. i would say that a person breaking a law by distribution to minors is a crime? maybe one of the reason drug users and distributors spend more time in jail is that they are prone to be repeat offenders.. too stoned and or too stupid to stop doing what got them into jail the first couple of times?
david wayne osedach
July 8th, 2010
8:31 am
They won’t be able to over tax marijuana because it is a weed and is easy to cultivate just about anywhere.
Dave from GT
July 8th, 2010
8:32 am
Has anyone fixed the hole in the Gulf sea bed yet?
Has anyone fixed the illegal alien problem on the border yet?
Has anyone looked at their property values yet?
Has anyone wondered why we need to keep extending unemployment compensation yet?
Has anyone wondered why state and federal workers make so much dough and get to retire at 40 yet?
Has anyone wondered why 4/5 of the supreme court believes that a black guy in Chicago should not have a gun to protect himself from other black guys in Chicago with guns (not the cops)?
Has anyone wondered why Obama appointed a rationed care proponent to head Medicare/Medicaid?
Has anyone wondered where Iran intends to use the nuke they are developing?
Has anyoned wondered why it is NASA’s job to go on Al Jazeera and list as one of its missions, the raising of Muslim self esteem?
No… we wonder why we can’t legally smoke pot. Either you are a twit, or you are practicing mis-direction!!!
ken R
July 8th, 2010
8:33 am
It can’t be all bad, didn’t Obama say that he tried drugs?
Maybe we can export it to Mexico and I can’t wait until millions of teenagers start driving, smoking a joint and texting at the same time.
They have proven that using weed usually leads to stronger drugs, is this what we want? I guarantee you if the punishment was severe enough drug usage would decline in a hurry.
I now know why CT got the prize, it was for writing brilliant articles like this.
Kat
July 8th, 2010
8:37 am
OH NO! Another incident where I was trying too fast! Here comes the grammar police!
** “…who only SERVED 18 months…”
Harry Reid
July 8th, 2010
8:38 am
No doubt! Obama, Nancy and I will soon tax bowel movements!
Azazel
July 8th, 2010
8:38 am
Why not, indeed! The marijuana plant has many uses besides an hallucinagen. Hemp fiber is stronger and softer than cotton; and the plant is very low maintenance.
In Colorado, where I live, the medical marijuana “industry” has begun to offer more products and uses for marijuana plants — cloth dyes, tincture oils used in perfumes and ointments, and so on.
Full legalization is on ballot this fall.
David S
July 8th, 2010
8:39 am
I agree with the sentiment that it should be legalized and NOT taxes. Whatever happened to FREEDOM? I know, stop laughing.
But let’s not stop there. All drugs should be legalized including prescription drugs. So long as any drug is illegal there will be a black market (don’t read anything racist into that, its what its called) which will generate great profits for some, violence, police corruption, legal system corruption, and the like. Even prescription drugs create a protected monopoly for doctors who are able to charge exhorbitant fees for the priviledge of allowing them to write you a prescription (government approved permission slip).
We do not need to wait for California to legalize to see an example. In Amsterdam possession and use are not treated as criminal matters and their only problems continue to be with the hard drugs they have not legalized. In Portugal, possession of every drug has been legal since 2002 and they have not been wiped off the earth by rampant drug abuse, etc. In fact, many of their crime problems have disappeared.
Of course, legalization does not absolve one of responsibility for one’s behavior. Just as with alcohol, there must be consequences for actions taken while under the influence.
Its past time to just discuss this issue. Its time to act. Legalize now.
Empowered black woman in very large crazy stupd hat bobbing my head back and forth
July 8th, 2010
8:42 am
OH NO HE DIT ENT!!!!!!
joe
July 8th, 2010
8:42 am
CT, You are hoping California legalizes pot, which would be a violation of federal law, but you get your “red” panties in a wad when Arizona tries to pass a law to curb illegal immigration, which is exactly what the federal law calls for and should be enforcing–but thanks to Barry, isn’t. A tad hypocritical don’t ya think??
If pot becomes legal, whatever. I don’t really care with way, but illegal immigration must be stopped first and foremost.
David S
July 8th, 2010
8:42 am
ken R – the “gateway” theory on marijuana (that it leads to harder drugs) has been completely disproven. Get your facts straight.
Some people have addictive personalities. They might start using marijuana and may indeed try harder drugs. Corellation does not equal causation.
Dave from GT
July 8th, 2010
8:42 am
Federal laws prohibit the use of marijuana for non-medical purposes. Passing state law that supercedes federal law only make an unconstitutional law. That is why the feds are suing arizona – even though the arizona law is a mirror of the federal law that the feds refuse to enforce.
If there were enough illegal mexican potheads, the feds would not enforce the law! QED
Kat
July 8th, 2010
8:43 am
Seriously? Now I’m stupid because I made a few spelling errors…I’m at work smart man. I minimized often and come back to what I’m typing so that the patrons who walk by don’t see what I’m doing. I am positive if you combed over this entire page you would find faaaar more people to pick on so please…move on. Thanks!
Sam (The Cool 1 )
July 8th, 2010
8:43 am
The Cisco Kid and Pancho say No to LOCO WEED. Ride horses, shoot guns, catch bad guys. Now there’s a trip for ya’!