Marijuana Musing

One of the proposed solutions for the California deficit theoretically kills two birds with one stone: it would decriminalize recreational marijuana use by making it legal (and thus save a lot of money and time wasted on persecuting harmless pot heads) and would raise money for the state by taxing the drug. All in all, a noble solution.

Portugal in 2001 decriminalized the use of many drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroine and methamphetamine. And so far, studies from organizations such as the CATO Institute show it hasn't caused many problems:

"The Cato report's author, Greenwald, hews to the first point: that the data shows that decriminalization does not result in increased drug use. Since that is what concerns the public and policymakers most about decriminalization, he says, 'that is the central concession that will transform the debate.'"
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html

To me, even though I've never used any recreational drug (other than several failed attempts to enjoy a sip of alcohol) it's always seemed obvious to me that most recreational drugs should be legal. I know very few users who I would classify as criminals, but according to the law they are. So it's strange. Of course, many people get away with it, but it's unfair to the few who are arrested and to the tax payers who want to use their money for something useful (like maybe government sponsored rehabilitation clinics or therapy) but are forced to pay coin for a pointless 'war on drugs.'

So I agree with a lot of the ideas this ad puts forth. And even though some see this as a controversial subject, it really isn't. Watching an episode of Conan today, Mr. O'Brian mentioned the decriminalization ad and most of the audience cheered. According to the white house, in 2001 41.7% of Americans reported having used marijuana in their life. And, it seems as though our last three presidents have had drug experiences themselves.

Now, according to these statistics, four out of ten Americans (including three presidents, presumably) could get in trouble with the law for having used marijuana. Something that most likely never directly harmed someone else. Does this make any sense? Are all these Americans bad people? Is 41.7% of America totally messed up in the head cause of the reefer? Of course not. And, between you and me, I bet the statistic is actually higher. Hehe. Get it? Higher?

But I don't want to just pile on evidence for marijuana use. You can find that yourself. However, I did want to point out something weird about this ad...

The lady interviewed points out that she and other marijuana users want to pay taxes for weed. Want to. WANT to. As if all stoners were actually planning to bail out California, if only marijuana were taxed! Why must you stand in the way of them giving money to the State, guys!

And marijuana is difficult to tax. Because you can grow it. At least I think you can. And how long after these hippies manage to legalize it and tax it will another group of hippies start getting angry at the Government taxing something the Earth has given us?

But I'm getting ahead of myself. You don't have to be a pot head to know that pot should be legal. And it could be taxed... for a while. But I'll give California some time- maybe if pot's legal, more people will want to legalize same sex marriage.

Kill two birds with one stone...r.