A few weeks ago, California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano grabbed headlines with a legislative proposal that would legalize marijuana, though within strict regulatory limits and subject to hefty taxes. Strictly speaking, a $50-per-ounce surcharge and tight rules would probably keep a healthy black market going in the stuff, but loosening the laws and focusing law enforcement's attention elsewhere is certainly a long step toward increasing personal freedom in an area of life that has relentlessly moved in the opposite direction for decades.
After Ammiano introduced his bill, CNN held an online poll and solicited phone and email comments on the legalization proposal. Online polls can be easily gamed, so the 95% vote in favor of legal pot is less impressive than it might seem. What is impressive, though, is that many of the comments made by the public were a lot more sophisticated than the simple-minded anti-drug rantings that usually emanate from the political class.
In most years, Ammiano's bill would stand little chance of passage. But in these cash-strapped days, in a state with perhaps the most miserable fiscal discipline in the country, Ammiano is wisely selling his liberty-enhancing proposal as a revenue-raising measure.
Who knows? It might work.
email J.D.: civilliberties (at) tuccille.com
You might also enjoy these:
- Ron Paul debates Stephen Baldwin on marijuana
- Forty percent of Americans want marijuana legalized
- Three Latin American presidents call drug prohibition a failure
- Police group celebrates anniversary of Prohibition repeal with call to legalize drugs
- Is getting high on drugs always a bad thing?
- Former police chief opposes war on drugs
- To legalize or decriminalize prostitution (and everything else)?
- Report calls for legal marijuana
- Nonviolent drug crimes dominate FBI arrest data
- Overregulating our way to police abuse
Civil Liberties Examiner is now on Facebook!
Or follow the latest civil liberties news on Twitter: Libertywriter
Comments
Somehow, I don't think that adding a $50 surcharge equals "legalizing" it at all. All the benefits of "legalization" would be destroyed with that one irresponsible money-grab. As you say, it would still cause a black market demand, and all the same old crime and such that goes along with it.
I'm all for legalizing. I just wish someone would let the Feds in on it when a community decides to do so.
I am not for legalizing, rather we need to consider de-criminalizing it. Legalizing means they are going to continue regulating and taxing something that shouldn't be. De-criminalizing it would make it a non-issue. That's what it should be: A non-issue.
There are indications the repeal of alcohol prohibition pulled the US out of the great depression more than any other factor.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition believes repealing the new prohibition will restore justice; trigger less violence, racism, tyranny and ruined lives!
I wont say i don't think adding $50 for an ounce will do a thing for us. I know if you put a $50 dollar tax on it people will still find it elsewhere therefore that is a stupid idea.
a better idea would be to legalize it but to where people could still keep a certain amount growing in your home. if you have over that then yes you should be punished. i dont think people should be punished if they have something growing for their personal use. only if they are trying to make a profit off of it
I pay about $35 in CA sales tax on each $400 Oz in Oaksterdam these days, so there would be NO objection from me to paying $50 surcharge at the corner store for medical grade herb at the NON-black market price [whatever that may be].
Google Henningfield+Benowitz+chart
Google Tashkin+cancer
To keep Cannabis illegal while tobacco and alcohol are dispensed freely is murderously stupid.
if it passed there would probably be permits for growing. Those growers could sell the buds for $50 + $50 tax= $100. then the fibers can be sold and the seeds could be sold it would be the bigest cash crop since cotton and the fibers are much more valuble than cotton fibers and require no chemial pestisides
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!