The Limits of Frederalism - Why you can't be a federalist and ignore medical marijuana.

Reason ^ | September 14, 2007 | Radley Balko

[chaos_5]

If you want the government to get involved with the regulation and distribution of marijuana, thats on you. Me, I want the government out of my life, I do not like the majority of rules and regulations we have now, and I will not advocate for more rules and regulations.

You know in many states, it is illegal to distill liquor. Even though marijuana could be legalized, you could be subject to the same restrictions.

With an unregulated, and decriminalized, system you would not be subject to those kinds of restrictions. The cost of the product would plummet because of a surge in supply. People would grow their own, with out fear of arrest. It wouldn't be hard to find, it’s not hard to find now and its illegal.

If it is a regulated substance like liquor, you would have to buy it at a store, and be subject to punitive taxes.

But, I suppose some people want their freedoms removed, their money taxed. All that for the convenience of buying a packaged product. Hey, if you think thats better, more power too you.

[Murray the R]

I can fiund no real Constitutional authority for the war on drugs save importation.

The alleged authority is in the FDR court's "substantial effect" doctrine that paved the way for the New Deal/Great Society welfare state.

[Murray the R]

"Any commercial processing and packaging should be illegal." "I want the government out of my life."

Make up your mind.

[chaos_5]

You are taking it out of context. Commercial products are regulated, and therefor implies government involvement. For example, commercial products are labeled in accordance with laws, and their contents regulated by law.

There is no contradiction here.

[Murray the R]

Commercial products are regulated, and therefor implies government involvement.

Making any commercial processing and packaging illegal implies a much greater degree of government involvement. You can't have it both ways.

[chaos_5]

Making any commercial processing and packaging illegal implies a much greater degree of government involvement. You can't have it both ways.

I see your point, let me rephrase. Commercial processing and packaging for human consumption should not be legal. That is, you wont be able to package and sell it "for human consumption" but you could just sell it like you sell flowers or other plants.

The reason why I am against regulations in this argument is simple. I do not want the government to dictate the "quality" of the product, and impose punitive taxes. They do this on cigarettes and liqueur, and I just would not want that to happen in this instance. Also, if the product was never sold for "human consumption" then you as the seller can not be held liable for anything that happens to the user when he uses it for human consumption.

[Murray the R]

Commercial processing and packaging for human consumption should not be legal. That is, you wont be able to package and sell it "for human consumption" but you could just sell it like you sell flowers or other plants.

I could live with that ... it would certainly beat the status quo.

I do not want the government to dictate the "quality" of the product, and impose punitive taxes.

Government certainly taxes items not sold for human consumption ... and unless I'm mistaken it also regulates some products not sold for human consumption.

[chaos_5]

Government certainly taxes items not sold for human consumption ... and unless I'm mistaken it also regulates some products not sold for human consumption.

This is true, most all items sold are subject to a sales tax. However, some items have special additional taxes. Take for example the proposed increase on tobacco tax that would put a $10 a stick tax on cigars (for the children of course).

I'm not saying you as the seller of things should not pay applicable sales and income taxes. If I was to gather up shells and make bracelets and sell them on the strand I would be subject to tax laws, but not punitive taxes targeting a specific product.