The Future of Legalizing Marijuana
Tuesday November 7th, the voters in Nevada did not approve of the legalization of possessing up to one ounce of marijuana, adults 21 or older, bought from a government approved "pot shop". Nevada seemed to follow the legislation passed in Colorado, 2005 were voters approved of the same law. However, twelve states have decriminalized the possession of marijuana and eleven states allow marijuana usage for medicinal purposes.
Not surprising, the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana argued in favor of legalizing marijuana. They convinced voters that with the legalization of gambling and "streak of Western independence, it would hypocritical not to legalize marijuana. Other proponents for the legalization of marijuana argue that too much taxpayers money and law enforcement resources are wasted on misdemeanor offenses such as possession of marijuana. Furthermore, taxing the legal use of marijuana would put drug dealers out of business. Even more surprising some pastors, while they do not recommend marijuana use, believe if there is a market for marijuana then it is better to be in a controlled environment.
The opponents of legalizing marijuana argue recreational use of marijuana will lead to other drug use and that it would be a poor tax source. Some law enforcement agents remind people that growing, distributing, and warehousing marijuana is still a federal crime and punishable by law. The Supreme Court ruled people using marijuana for medical purposes could still be prosecuted under federal law. Yet the Nevada legislative committee approved the bill to be voted on in November.
The legislative act, that was not passed, would have taxed adults $45 dollars for an ounce of marijuana. The legislative act directed Nevada's Department of Taxation to set up procedures for licensing distributors, retailers, and growers. Furthermore, the bill doubles fines for selling pot to minors and vehicular manslaughter under the influence of pot.
Is this the beginning of the legalization of marijuana?
Even though the Supreme Court ruled marijuana use, even for medicinal purposes is still a federal offense many proponents for recreational marijuana use theorize few if any federal resources would be used to arrest and penalize misdemeanor uses of marijuana, especially in amounts as small as one ounce. Furthermore, many favor the use of the drug in a controlled environment.
The government currently collects approximately $18 billion in alcohol tax. A study by the University of Nevada estimates the government could collect approximately $28.6 million for regulating marijuana in Nevada alone. Eventually, the government has the potential to collect much more in taxes by legalizing marijuana in other parts of the country.
Published by Liz Brown
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9 Comments
Post a CommentMarijuana should be legalized, reason is if we do the USA will be opening more up a whole lot more pharmacies, it should be like cigs, 18 Years of age to purchase it, 16 years to smoke it, it does no harm, it really just depends on how you use it. Use it, Don't abuse it.
Marijuana should be legalized, reason is if we do the USA will be opening more up a whole lot more pharmacies, it should be like cigs, 18 Years of ager to purchase 16 years to smoke it, it does no harm, i reall just depends on how you use it.
Use it, Don't abuse it.
Spider Lady say you write a very good article and start debate on the marijuana. Marijuna has as many mths as z spider. Spider Lady marijuan make you stupid. Make you repond to "Hey Stupid" about 30 second slower. Spider Lady say she see a Marijuan smoker who a that about three months off they pipe to have they lights come all the way a back one. Spider Lady also a say with the ileagal drug (infact an drug) you don't a know what you always a get. Some a body might a "step" on you a drug with PCP, or Cocaine or a somehting and you will not a know it. The 20/20 do a good piece in the past on the Marijuan cause cancer... I wish i could a get a copy. If you a grow you own Marijuan you risk a get arrest for a Manufacture. If you need a Marijuan bad enough to risk 8 years behind the bars you have a bigger problem than the Marijuana.
Unheralded marijuana facts are as numerous as the myths and sometimes it is hard to glean marijuana facts from fiction.
What follows are many astonishing hemp and marijuana facts.
Historical :
•During the 1930s, the American media propagated numerous false stories as marijuana facts and depicted weed as an extremely dangerous drug, thus marijuana and hemp were effectively banned in 1938.
•Hemp has an estimated 50,000 non-drug commercial uses including paper, textiles, fuels, food and sealants, but these uses are also banned by existing laws.
Medical Marijuana Facts:
•No one has ever died from marijuana use.
•Marijuana does not lead to physical dependency.
•Marijuana is less dangerous than tobacco and people smoke less of it at a time.
•No independent government panel that has studied marijuana has ever recommended jail for users.
•Marijuana leads to non-violence and pacifism.
•Marijuana for medicinal use is also gaining
I Will Marijuana in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just think about the children, with no black market it would be harder for minors to buy. Growing up if I wanted pot I would go to my friends house for pot, If I wanted alcohol, I had to find a 21 year old. Dealers don't check ID! Rashawn, growing is not simple to learn, it takes years to learn how to grow anything properly. If you don't belive me, try it. Oh yeah, the government can do anything they want. If they can tax the clothes your wearing, they an tax pot.
On the contrary, Rashawn, people would happily buy it with the tax. It's legal to grow your own tobacco now, but how many smokers do that? It's far easier to pay someone else to do it..
I doubt the government could actually provide a tax on Marijuana. Distributors would simply seek other means of pushing their product amongst the masses or, the people who simply wish to use recreationally every once in awhile could simply learn to grow their own, I've seen it done.
As you point out, the criminalization of marijuana has proven to be a complete waste of time and resources...and you are so correct to say that we could demand a large tax, and provide good with it. I think it will take two more election cycles before the dam breaks on this issue.