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 ...
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.
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