Fight the Recession: Legalize Marijuana
In 1920, America approved a constitutional amendment that meant the prohibition of alcohol. In 1929, the stock market crashed into the Great Depression. In 1933, America revoked the amendment, and made alcohol legal again. By 1936, the American economy (with the exception of still lower employment) had improved so much it was back to pre-crash levels.
Now, there's a debate about the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana is already legal for medical purposes in several states, although until recently the federal Drug Enforcement Administration would still raid it. Possession for non-medical use is only an infraction in a few states. What if it were generally legal, and the federal and state governments could make money taxing it? in California alone, the estimate is that taxes could raise $1.3 billion.
And that's not mentioning the money that could be saved. Approximately a third of all prison inmates are there because of "illegal substance" violations. In Texas, that percentage is about two thirds. Billions and billions of dollars are spent enforcing laws and punishing people for victimless crimes.
Opponents are claiming the old "gateway drug" theory. If you smoke pot, soon you'll be snorting cocaine and then shooting heroin. Your life will be destroyed. It's like the still-gasping-for-its-last-breath pornography theory. If you look at pornographic pictures, whatever you see you'll go out and rape.
The problem is, the theory doesn't hold water. According to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there are 15 million current marijuana users in the US, and more than 100 million Americans have tried it at least once. In fact, the last three America presidents admitted they smoked it (although Clinton said e didn't inhale.) Pot didn't stop them, or keep them from winning the most prominent position in the United States.
Marijuana is effective in helping many patients deal with pain. It's more effective than many legal drugs that are much more harmful to a person's body. And it's natural and easy to raise, meaning you can grow your own--and not be dependent on huge drug companies.
Is it a surprise that their lobbyists have been working against legal bud? Why is that, for every anti-drug ad on America television, you'll see dozens of ads promoting (big corporation) drugs?
See "A budget cure: Marijuana taxes?" that appeared today (30 April 2009) at http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StockInvestingTrading/a-budget-cure-marijuana-taxes.aspx#pageTopAchor
For all our entries dealing with marijuana, click http://www.loveshade.org/blog-mt/mt-search.fcgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=marijuana
Comments
Laws against drugs don't work! Why should they allow dangerous drugs like many prescription drugs, and not something safe and natural like pot? Of course it's dangerous to drive while high. But that's true of many prescription drugs too. Responsible drug use is different than irresponsible drug abuse. All drugs can help people live better lives, including marijuana.
Posted by: TawTew the Naturally Perfumed | May 1, 2009 08:06 PM
God said let there be grass and we should smoke it. It is a medicinal drug in several states. Pot Power!!!!!!!
Posted by: Vernon Avaritt | May 1, 2009 11:21 PM
You monkey doggone (see, censored myself) liberal liberatarian communist socialist nazis want to make every thing legal that doesn't hurt anybody. Next you'll be promoting women breastfeeding, same sex marriage and nudity.
But what about guns? How can I kill my neighbors if you take away my guns? If you don't understand then you don't have my neighbors. Joke.
Posted by: Rev. Bootie | May 2, 2009 06:49 PM
Are you saying that if a law doesn't stop people from breaking it, there shouldn't be any laws? Laws haven't stopped rape or murder. Should we make those legal?
The laws are made to guide people to do what's right. If the only people who ever used marijuana were doing so by a doctor's prescription, then maybe it should be legal. But we all know it's not. People smoke pot to get high, they do drive high, they do dangerous activities high. Marijuana is very easy to abuse, and that's why it should be illegal.
Posted by: Christian Andy | May 3, 2009 03:29 AM
Ppl demonize pot like it's from the devil. It's not. The devil makes the laws, not the weed.
Posted by: Jack Hemp | May 3, 2009 01:19 PM
Rev. Bootie silly. We do promote open breastfeeding, same sex marriage and nudism! lol
Posted by: Lorien Loveshade | May 4, 2009 02:30 AM
The Devil lives in Georgia. Ever been there? It's true.
Posted by: Rev. Bootie | May 5, 2009 11:58 AM
Prescription drugs are very easy to abuse, and that's why they should be illegal.
Guns are very easy to abuse, and that's why they should be illegal.
Children are very easy to abuse, and that's why they should be illegal.
Posted by: Rev. Bootie | May 6, 2009 05:03 PM
I'll get to see the Devil because Im going to Georgia on Monday. Bud for everybody!!! Yay!!!!
by Commie Vern
Posted by: Vernon Avaritt | May 6, 2009 07:53 PM
Didn't Jesus smoke pot? I think that's in the Bible somewhere. Or was that Moses that got high on the burning bush?
Posted by: Idiot in My Pants | May 6, 2009 07:54 PM
Lorien, you approve breastfeeding who?
Posted by: Francine | May 7, 2009 03:35 AM
Vernon say hi to the Devil when you see him and remind him he owes me money.
Posted by: Sarcastic Sal | May 10, 2009 04:25 AM