Posted on 05/05/2009 2:27:27 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday it's time for California to study whether to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use, though he's not yet advocating for such a change.
The governor was asked about a recent Field Poll showing that 56 percent of registered voters support legalizing and taxing marijuana to raise revenues for cash-strapped California. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, has proposed legislation that would legalize the drug for recreational use, rather than just medical purposes.
"Well, I think it's not time for that, but I think it's time for a debate," Schwarzenegger said. "I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it. And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect did it have on those countries?"
He said his native Austria is revisiting some of its marijuana laws, for instance. The Austrian Parliament last year authorized medical marijuana.
"It could very well be that everyone is happy with that decision and then we could move to that," Schwarzenegger said of other nations' legalization policies. "If not, we shouldn't do it. But just because of raising revenues ... we have to be careful not to make mistakes at the same time.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Then 20 years later they can turn around and sue the pot farmers and joint rollers for billions as well. Just like they illegally f***** the Tobacco companies
Is this real, it sure seems like he has already been smoking stuff for some time now.
Republicans who think like Arnold are called RINO’S.
FReepers who think like Arnold and think pot should be legalized are called Libertarians.
I call them all LIBERALS.
This is insane.
I agree with the Governor. What’s wrong with smoking pot?
Ping to the Austrian.
Frankly I could care less if Pot is legal or not but doesn’t California have bigger fish to fry for crying out loud!?!
You are entitled to your opinion. But it is silly that marijuana is illegal. And pointless.
All politics aside, I’d rather be around someone who is stoned than drunk, anyday
Smoking pot is stupid, but it should be legal nevertheless.
Make more taxing oil if we could drill it.
Nothing in my book. But shouldn’t they be debating on how to not bankrupt the state?
Frankly from what I have seen of California’s books I already thought Pot was legal, at least in Sacramento.
Why?
I don’t care a wit if someone smokes pot.
I would rather be around someone who is stoned than someone who is drunk.
Does anyone have the current number of pot smokers in CA? I heard once that there were 14 million drug users and that over half just did pot.
How many people are we talking about taxing now?
Maybe things like increasing tax revenue and decreasing the size and reach of Gov with respect to marijuana enforcement? Those are both big fish.
Most are advocating an immediate change in government spending and /or tax cuts, however Scharzenegger is a visionary and is placing focus on more pertinent issues.
That's what happens when one is governor of a state with a surplus and those in charge need something to occupy their minds. /s
I think the motivations are totally different.
Libertarians want to legalize drugs pushing freedom and personal responsibility.
Arnold wants to legalize drugs to tax the sale and generate more revenue to support more government spending.
You DO realize this is just a liberal ploy to raise taxes, right?
This typifies what hypocrites Libertarians are. They CLAIM they want smaller government and less taxes.
But they are only too happy to surrender in the WOD, allow the drug cartels to go legit, and then sit back in a dopey haze and wait for marijuana taxes to solve all their financial problems.
Folks, this is INSANE!!!
That would be nearly half of CA. I thought there were only 30 million total in the state.
Drinking alcohol is stupid but it is legal anyway.
If medical marijuana was in the form of a suppository, would anyone use it?
I found this:
“Criminalizing millions of people - nearly 10 percent of the total US population for smoking a plant is ridiculous” he says. Numerous scientific studies since President Nixon’s Shafer Commission have proved this.”
So is 10% a good number? That is 3 million people of the 30 million in CA so how much money can it really raise?
I saw it was something like a 14 billion dollar industry so California’s percentage is what, another 10% or 1.4 Billion so the numbers really seem to fall pretty flat.
The states encroachment does not go away, it just gets shifted to another segment of the population.
Besides, CA can do what they want but there are federal laws against the sale, distribution, or use of Marijuana. CA Can't stop Uncle Sam's ham fist.
Agreed. But Arnold is taking the Libs for a ride.
And if/when the Libs wake up and see the results from legalized pot leaves us WORSE than before....
Then I will tell them “I told you so” and “STFU”.
Actually, it's hilarious - seeing Drug Warriors go into meltdown mode as the War on Marijuana collapses.
I don't think it's a "ploy" I think for once they're being pretty honest about it. Given a choice, I'd much rather support Gov't with taxes on the consumption of pot, booze, tobacco, etc than the usual taxes on personal productivity and income.
I like to see the Government getting rid of laws, instead of making new ones.
-PJ
I would rather be around someone who is stoned than someone who is drunk.
_____________________________
Then you haven’t seen NHTSA studies comparing drunk vs. stoned drivers.
As would I. But I don’t recall reading where the good Governor will be offsetting this new tax with reductions in taxes elsewhere.
Look, I think Pot should be legal. At a minimum it doesn’t do anymore damage then Smoking or Drinking.
But if I was running a state that is on the verge of bankruptcy I would like to think I would have higher priorities then debating the merits of legalizing Pot.
Arnie, you Socialist B*****d! Leave it illegal, in the free market!
Much like they've done with alcohol and tobacco.
Besides, CA can do what they want but there are federal laws against the sale, distribution, or use of Marijuana. CA Can't stop Uncle Sam's ham fist.
Is there no support for States' Rights any more?
Well, yes. That's why I prefaced my post with "all politics aside"
Good Ol’ aRnie
Puff Puff Puff..
Vote For MEEeeee!
Uhhh,, who am I?
I’ve never studied or followed the issue much. But I would question those figures.
If pot were legal, and you had to pay taxes to buy it, I think everyone would just put a plant in their backyard.
Presumably, they already collect taxes on rolling papers, LOL.
As do I. But I also like to see states stay solvent instead of going bankrupt. He’s been Governor for around 5 years, why didn’t he fight the good fight years ago?
I totally support states rights. But Uncle Sam sees it differently and since the Governor is fishing for a bailout for his state I doubt he is about to lead a crusade against Big Brother.
I won't disagree with you about whether or not the Gov has the stones for the fight. Still, the feds have a losing hand and one of these decades they are going to be forced to admit defeat and make the best of a bad situation.
When someone’s drinking, they can’t inadvertantly make you drunk by osmosis. Ever tried to study for college exams in a cramped dorm when your suitemate is smoking tons of pot and various other narcotics? You want to legalize it in your state, fine, but I’ll do everything I can to keep it against the law in mine.
What a desperate argument. No one is advocating driving under the influence of any substance.
Back in the day I drank and smoked pot, now I do neither.
I never embarrassed my self or got into trouble while under the influence of pot, can't say the same for alcohol
At best it would close 1-2% of the states shortfall.
But it’s a big if that CA could tax it. I don’t see many companies selling pot due to the long arm of the Federal Government through the D.E.A. and Justice Department. So most sales will probably still be by dealers or at least under the table so tax collections would be pretty minimal.
Unless you get the Fed’s to drop their laws, which I would totally support, there is not much States can do.
Did I say that either should be driving? No.
Ah, well how about no smoking period in a dorm.
The last thing CA needs is MORE drug addicts.
“I won’t disagree with you about whether or not the Gov has the stones for the fight. Still, the feds have a losing hand and one of these decades they are going to be forced to admit defeat and make the best of a bad situation.”
Totally agree.
Forgot to add - yes.
The last thing anyone needs is more alcoholics, should we ban Alcohol?
The last thing anyone needs is more obese people, should we ban unhealthy foods?
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