Some people argue that the reason cannabis is not legal is because it cannot be taxed. Sure someone can grow tons of plants and reap a huge benefit of cash from it, and the government can't do anything about it because its legal. However, were forgetting about the civil institutions we set up to battle these greedy ploys. The earth is full of fish, we could get a boat, pick up our rods, and go fishing, sell them and make a profit just for sitting on the water and getting drunk. But no, we've got boating licenses and fishing licenses. Isn't a license a perfect way to regulate and tax cannabis? If the government were to set up a civil institution in which one could obtain a license to grow cannabis, and pay annual dues to a tax agency, haven't we just solved our problem. Needless to say we don't even have to get into the "harmful effects" in which there are few, as opposed to some of these over the counter pain pills that "May have some side affects which include nausea, heartburn, cancer, tumors, and strokes"... Not only will the government get money and taxes, they can regulate and view your production through the use of paper trails and web records. Also, this would be a great economical stimulis setting up small and large businesses togrow and sell cannabis, we would have many more people going through colleges and university for biology, botany and entrepreneurial skills to open these buisnesses. We would have a huge cash crop. We would have a huge export rate (im from Canada), and I'm sure many countries would follow suit if the super powers are doing it. Cannabis can be used for clothing, food, plastics, ropes and string, propelling agents for cars and vehicles instaed of harmful gas. You can build and run a car almost strickly from hemp, besides the frame of the car. There is such a huge investment waiting to be realized, so much medical potential, so much economical potential, so much recreational potential, tourism potential... and here's a way to regulate and tax cannabis. Does this sound effect to you?

Hemp is already legally used to make clothes and other things.

Hemp is already legally used to make clothes and other things.

Your point being? What about the rest of my points? Medical, economical, tourism, recreational, industrial, environmental? Christ, I don't care about clothes, cotton is made of organics too. Im talking about politics, not fashion...

Hello f:

You got my vote. It's happening in California already.

excon

Not realizing our potential resources for hemp is imbecilic.
It goes back to the Nixon drug war.
In world war two farmers were forced to stop raising their crops so they could grow hemp. You would have to smoke an acre of hemp to get high.
I am an active member of Hemp.org and to not tap into this green and well rounded resource is insane.

Hemp.Org, Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp, CRRH, The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation, THCF, THCF Medical Clinics, Restore Hemp, Medical Marijuana Clinics, Medical Marijuana Doctors, Medical Marijuana Referrals, Cannabis Common Sense, (http://www.hemp.org/)

As to your other point,recreational use being legalized,not unless the powers that be can make a profit.
Not going to happen unless their palms are greased.

Not realizing our potential resources for hemp is imbecilic.
It goes back to the Nixon drug war.
In world war two farmers were forced to stop raising their crops so they could grow hemp. You would have to smoke an acre of hemp to get high.
I am an active member of Hemp.org and to not tap into this green and well rounded resource is insane.

Hemp.Org, Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp, CRRH, The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation, THCF, THCF Medical Clinics, Restore Hemp, Medical Marijuana Clinics, Medical Marijuana Doctors, Medical Marijuana Referrals, Cannabis Common Sense, (http://www.hemp.org/)

And again, what's so bad about getting high? Its another industry opener. Sure we can use hemp, and grow crappy cannabis that is unsmokable. Or, we can grow good cannabis, regulate it like a legal drug, make businesses, and use the left over leaves and stems to make hemp plastics and fuels etc etc. There is endless amounts of things this can be used for.

Try watching the movie Air America with Mel Gibson and tell me that the government isn't in on the drug money and bringing it into this country. I believe the movie and I believe it happens with weed as well as the opium.
If the government really wanted to cut back on the drug trafficking they could.
Why is there no absinthe or Ishwatha and many other illegal drugs in this country?
Because our government said they are illegal and they meant it.
I know they can't stop all weed because people do grow it their own selves and all but I really believe if the government wasn't making a profit (other than busts) and they REALLY wanted it stopped there would only be maybe 20 to 30 % the amount of weed there is.
FACT is they don't want it stopped.
I have no idea why they don't want it legal for tax purposes but I never did understand the governments madness.

And again, whats so bad about getting high? Its another industry opener. Sure we can use hemp, and grow crappy cannabis that is unsmokable. Or, we can grow good cannabis, regulate it like a legal drug, make businesses, and use the left over leaves and stems to make hemp plastics and fuels ect ect. There is endless amounts of things this can be used for.

No thanks,I prefer to grow my own,I don't want the gov in on my anything,they would just screw it up!

Folllow the money, is there more money in tax or is there more money in fines when they catch people

As to your other point,recreational use being legalized,not unless the powers that be can make a profit.
Not going to happen unless their palms are greased.

Sorry but that's the point of this question. Im trying to creat a tax system to regulate this plant. Does a licensing system work well for cannabis. You need to be of age to sell alcohol, you need a permit and license to sell alcohol, there are taxes in place on alcohol. Why not license cannabis productions and businesses, now we have money, taxes, regulation, and records

Folllow the money, is there more money in tax or is there more money in fines when they catch people

Mmm, that's a good point, I like that kind of thinking. But there's more money in taxes... you pay almost 200 percent taxes on cigarettes when you observe production costs and distribution. Same with alcohol, I think its 50-100 percent tax

Yeah my bet is if they legalized weed they would tax it at triple what cigarettes are taxed.

Why not license cannabis productions and businesses, now we have money, taxes, regulation, and recordsHello, again, f:

It IS happening in California... I just said that. Did you forget? Dude! The rest of you are right too. They're not doing it because it's the RIGHT thing to do. They're doing it because they can raise billions in taxes, and California is BROKE.

It's EASY too. Come on. They tax cabbage, don't they?

excon

yeah my bet is if they legalized weed they would tax it at triple what cigarettes are taxed.

Well we don't know this, I'm sure there's going to be a nice shiny tax on it, but there are limits to which they can justify a tax that high. They must have some reason as to why they should tax it at 300 percent not just "because you like it and buy it". We the people should be voicing and not being led by a sheppard. Democracy means the people have power, and have elected people to rule and listen to our votes. Sure there's scandal and whatnot, but its because political involvement in the masses is low, therefore the government only needs weed defense to stifle our opposition. Civil disobedience is the best way to a revolution, if we want something, we make it happen. The government is scary, but its not authoritarian just yet my friend, we still have a voice, even if it's a whisper

Hello, again, f:

It IS happening in California... I just said that. Did you forget? Dude! The rest of you are right too. They're not doing it because it's the RIGHT thing to do. They're doing it because they can raise billions in taxes, and California is BROKE.

It's EASY too. Come on. They tax cabbage, don't they?

excon

YES, I know its happening, I'm well aware of it :) Trust me :) But MY government still whines about taxes... and I'm whining back "You retards are just to lazy to look at what youve done with countless others to get some money...the public are sitting here WANTING to pay your taxes and youre saying NO!?"

Hello:

Am I the only one hearing an echo?? Helloooooo. Is there anybody in here?

excon

Well we dont know this, im sure theres going to be a nice shiny tax on it, but there are limits to which they can justify a tax that high. They must have some reason as to why they should tax it at 300 percent not just "because you like it and buy it". We the people should be voicing and not being led by a sheppard. Democracy means the people have power, and have elected people to rule and listen to our votes. Sure theres scandal and whatnot, but its because political involvment in the masses is low, therefore the government only needs weed defense to stifle our opposition. Civil disobedience is the best way to a revolution, if we want something, we make it happen. The government is scary, but its not authoritarian just yet my friend, we still have a voice, even if its a whisper

I'm and old hippie and civil disobedience is my claim to fame but I still don't want them involved.
I take my chances,I smoke when I want and where I live cops could care less.
If they bust you they usually take some and you get a smaller count in court.
In New York,it is called a syntax and it is on cigs,beer ,boats,you name it.

Hello:

Am I the only one hearing an echo??? Helloooooo. Is there anybody in here??

excon

Are you just being thick headed? Im in canada... not the states. Im nowhere near California. The CANADIAN government has not legalized it, and the CANADIAN government doesn't have a tax system for it. This is my proposal to my dilemma, and I'm looking for INTELLIGENT people to respond and tell my if they agree with it, NOT if its happening elsewhere...

My state is legalizing gambling and building a big casino so they can raise money for their broke wasteful sorry @$$e$.
* They also taxed cigarettes and beer with the sin tax. 300 percent is nothing to them

I'm and old hippie and civil disobedience is my claim to fame but I still don't want them involved.
I take my chances,I smoke when I want and where I live cops could care less.
If they bust you they usually take some and you get a smaller count in court.
In New York,it is called a syntax and it is on cigs,beer ,boats,you name it.

Ah you grew up in the good ol era. Well my perspective sees regulations telling kids they can't do anything for generations, and they grow up thinking that. But come one, our government is in place to BE rebelled against. We have a say, and we have the words, but dare we speak them? Im worried about the government getting in on it too... but if its , everyone goes back to closet grows and buying from the guy on the corner, and the government institution withers away right?

Are you just being thick headed? Im in canada...not the states. Im nowhere near California. The CANADIAN government has not legalized it, and the CANADIAN government doesnt have a tax system for it. This is my proposal to my dilemma, and im looking for INTELLIGENT people to respond and tell my if they agree with it, NOT if its happening elsewhere....

Why you YELLING?
Have they decriminalized in Canada ?
I had a guy on here a while back who said he was getting Gov. weed and it sucked,the Canadian weed.
There must be something going on.

Hello again, Mr. follow:

I don't know. You want somebody intelligent. I'm him. You say you want something to start. I say it's started. I guess you're pissed because it hasn't started where YOU are yet.

I'm just telling you, that there's been a SEA CHANGE in the conversation about pot in just the last year. MAJOR things are in the wind.

So you tell me you want it to happen, and I'm telling you it IS happening, and you don't like that news.

Here. Go smoke some of this. It's good Seattle kush. Maybe it'll mellow you out a little bit.

excon

Ah you grew up in the good ol era. Well my perspective sees regulations telling kids they can't do anything for generations, and they grow up thinking that. But come one, our government is in place to BE rebelled against. We have a say, and we have the words, but dare we speak them? Im worried about the government getting in on it too...but if its , everyone goes back to closet grows and buying from the guy on the corner, and the government institution withers away right?

If you want to make a change go to the NORML web site and they will give you advice on how to make a change.

Hello again, Mr. follow:

I dunno. You want somebody intelligent. I'm him. You say you want something to start. I say it's started. I guess you're pissed because it hasn't started where YOU are yet.

I'm just telling you, that there's been a SEA CHANGE in the conversation about pot in just the last year. MAJOR things are in the wind.

So you tell me you want it to happen, and I'm telling you it IS happening, and you don't like that news.

Here. Go smoke some of this. It's good Seattle kush. Maybe it'll mellow you out a little bit.

excon

Yeah I see your point, thanks man, it'll make a nice mix with the sour diesel I just picked up. Im just pissed and ranting because of the digusting image it still has in society, and the anti-drug money that gets spent on it, when my school doesn't provide me with text books :(

I know you don't want to hear about other countries but you might find this article interesting even if it doesn't answer your question.
The part about not being legal but tolerated is the way I see it here in the US because while it is not legal the law does tend to turn the other way unless it is a major bust.

Patterico's Pontifications Legalization in Amsterdam (http://patterico.com/2008/12/07/legalization-in-amsterdam/)

Hello again, Mr. follow:

I dunno. You want somebody intelligent. I'm him. You say you want something to start. I say it's started. I guess you're pissed because it hasn't started where YOU are yet.

I'm just telling you, that there's been a SEA CHANGE in the conversation about pot in just the last year. MAJOR things are in the wind.

So you tell me you want it to happen, and I'm telling you it IS happening, and you don't like that news.

Here. Go smoke some of this. It's good Seattle kush. Maybe it'll mellow you out a little bit.

excon

Here in N.Y. it is juicy fruit,flav of the week :)

Im just pissed and ranting because of the digusting image it still has in society, and the anti-drug money that gets spent on it, when my school doesnt provide me with text books :(Hello again, f:

You see, when CHANGE happens, it really HAPPENS...

Pot DOESN'T have that image in California any more. People buy it in NICE SAFE stores. They can buy marijuana candy, butter, cookies, rubs and oils, all packaged beautifully. They even have delivery guys on bikes in Oakland...

Nope. When it becomes legal, it becomes a product like any other...

Here's the good news about Canada. WE'RE the instigator of the drug war. When WE end it, it'll end up in the great white north too, and it IS... I've been waiting 40 years.

excon

Here in N.Y. it is juicy fruit,flav of the week :)

OMG, I just had Juicy Fruit last week... and omg that was amazing lol. It was very dense with a nice light green color, very tangy smell, almost citric. The taste was amazing

I'm confused... I know canibus is weed...

But I thought hemp was like, lotion, and twine and natrual clothing and stuff. Isn't it?


I am of 2 minds on this. I do believe that adults should have the right to choose to destroy their braincells with pot or not (I did it in high school and a year into adult hood)

However, if we legalize it, it will be made available to kids. Just like ciggarettes and alcohole are now. (trust me, they can, do and always WILL be able to get them, legal or not)

At least with pot illigal we can have SOME mesure of protection for our kids.

however, if we legalize it, it will be made available to kids. just like ciggarettes and alcohole are now. (trust me, they can, do and always WILL be able to get them, legal or not)

at least with pot illigal we can have SOME mesure of protection for our kids.


Where I live it is easier for kids to get illegal weed and crack than it is to get a pack of cigarettes or beer.

Hello again, f:

You see, when CHANGE happens, it really HAPPENS....

Pot DOESN'T have that image in California any more. People buy it in NICE SAFE stores. They can buy marijuana candy, butter, cookies, rubs and oils, all packaged beautifully. They even have delivery guys on bikes in Oakland...

Nope. When it becomes legal, it becomes a product like any other....

Here's the good news about Canada. WE'RE the instigator of the drug war. When WE end it, it'll end up in the great white north too, and it IS.... I've been waiting 40 years.

excon

:):D I don't know, I guess I'm just sick of hearing really stupid arguments against perfectly good things... I mean, the guys that run our country, the ones with the superior court and the lawyers that spent years studying philosophy and how to construct an argument, completely glide over pot-holes...

Where I live it is easier for kids to get illegal weed and crack than it is to get a pack of cigarettes or beer.

It's the same here. What I'm looking for is tolerance I guess, this is mainly what I'm saying. It needs to be an open subject and not looked down upon.

at least with pot illigal we can have SOME mesure of protection for our kids.Hello j:

We DO?? I see keeping it illegal kept of out of YOUR hands.

excon

Mmm very true excon... I guess its just wishfull thinking. Had you asked these questions say, 6 years ago, I would have said 'HELL YEAH LEGALIZE IT! "

However, now I am a mom to a 5 year old who will be starting school next month (in 28 days accually, no, I'm not counting!)

So I'm biased, as I really don't want her exposed to it until she is at least 18 (if I'm lucky)

Hello again, j:

Even the legalizers, like me, don't think it's appropriate for children. In my view, the ONLY way to keep out of their hands, is to legalize it.

Look, I think they do a pretty good job of keeping cigarettes out of kids hands. Don't you?

excon

My New York home grown and it is not easy here.A very short growing season.

Lol no excon I don't. I can see several kids around our complex smoking ciggarettes. They are all over the place. Especially at parks where they think they are not seen.

I thought it was illigal to grow too? Don't they show on the news people getting arrested for it?

i thought it was illigal to grow too? dont they show on the news people getting arrested for it?

Not if they don't find it :)
It is illegal but I need it for medical reasons and no one is going to tell me any different.
I can tolerate this better than most medications my doctor wants to prescribe.
I do what I have to do.;)

Only a very small percent of people get arrested for drugs... any drugs. Cops know where there are many crack houses, dealers and all but they sit and wait for a BIG bust because they know if they bust the nickel dime addicts they will just be let back on the street within a matter of a couple days to a week on a technicality or whatever.

Oooh I see artlady ;) no worries. If I knew how I would grow it too. But I have a black thumb instead of a green one :P

Only a very small percent of people get arrested for drugs....Hello again, Saph:

That's the rumor... Rightwingers believe that so they don't have to change the law.

But, like MOST of what rightwingers believe, it ain't so. There are a LOT of people in the system for pot. I don't know how they got there if they didn't get busted. You hang out on the criminal law board, saph. You see it.

excon

My New York home grown and it is not easy here.A very short growing season.

That's gorgeous artlady! ;)