Heard the real reason for legalizing pot: If it is legal, it can be taxed just like cigarettes. Appraently that is the argument being used in the Maryland Legislature to get legalization passed here in this progressive, socialist and communist dictatorship of the democraptic party.
They will soon find out that pot is a lot easier to grow than tobacco, a lot easier to process and a lot harder to tax.
Yep. Its all about the taxes. I read where Colorado is taxing dopes who use legal dope some 37 per cent.
My position on legalization of marijuana has always been, if it is legal, set the taxes on it at least as high as the tax on tobacco. And for the same reason.
Not to raise revenue, but as a hammer to bring down on those who would sell pot outside the legal and authorized channels, as that is tax evasion, and subject to severe penalties. Untaxed marijuana is in the same category as untaxed moonshine whiskey. And like cigarettes, very high taxes are a strong incentive to discontinue use. The penalties on tax evasion should be harsh enough to discourage the smuggling in and black market distribution of untaxed pot.
The flow of revenue shall not balance any budget, nor should it be directed at some unrelated subject. Like gasoline tax was ORIGINALLY intended for the construction and maintenance of a network of highways, the revenue from the taxes on pot should, must, be directed at educational efforts to STOP the use of pot, and for its application to rectify the damage caused by its use.
Until the price goes up too high. Then it’ll be business as usual.
The revenuers (ATF) are going to replace the DEA busting into peoples’ homes for tax evasion (just as they still smash home distillaries).