Paul is correct about Garner selling “loosie” cigarettes. What kind of nanny-state do we live in where Governments at the same time both rail against tobacco, but must protect it because they need the tax money?
In totalitarian states, everything is controlled and everything is potentially a crime.
For the umpteenth time, but appropriate:
"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws." -- Ayn Rand
Which is precisely the problem with the “let’s legalize pot so we can tax it” argument. Tax it enough to discourage use, and you get pothead versions of Eric Garner, selling loose, untaxed joints. Then we’re right back where we started.