Do you think the government makes more money off of marijuana being Illeagal than it would if it was legal?

Question

I know there's more to it than money--this is just a hypothetical question...What do you think, and why?

Answer 1

Marijuana is responsible for thousands of jobs in the United States. If it was ever legalized, some of these jobs would be lost. It employs police, D.E.A. agents, A.T.F. agents, judges, councilors, prison guards, prison therapists, prison wardens, F.B.I. agents, C.I.A. agents, border patrol, informants, social workers, probation officers, tobacco lobbyists, alcohol lobbyists, Congressional drug think tanks, and other various jobs like protesters and such. If it was legalized, the government would make money by taxing it and employing people to harvest, manufacture for sale, actually sell, and regulate it. Now the question is whether the loss of thousands of jobs would hurt the economy, and if the money both saved on the war on drugs and made from taxing marijuana will be enough to compensate. I say yes, but the government still says no.

Answer 2

An interesting question, to be sure...

Generally, one would think the government LOSES money from marijuana being illegal, with all the money we piss away on enforcement. Then again, it really depends on how much tax money the government stands to lose from pharmaceutical industries in particular, who stand to lose big if pot were to cheaply and easily replace a number of medications that sometimes cost upwards of $10 a day.

Overall, though, I'll bet that government would save a lot of money, maybe even increase revenue, by legalizing and taxing marijuana.

Answer 3

The government could make a fortune if they legalized marijuana. They only spend money to stop it now. Comming from a true Conservative I don't mind the overall war on drugs. If we could secure our borders we could keep most drugs out of the country. But pot is a weed, a weed that can grow indoors or outdoors in all 50 states, it is a pointless battle, and it is a harmless drug when used responsibly.

Answer 4

Because it is illegal they make money from fines and confiscation of property contain illegal marijuana. However they spend a lot of money on catching and prosecuting those who are found with it or are other illegally dealing with it. The government has to keep those who are confined. Now they probably loose big buck. If legalized they could tax it and at least make some money.

Answer 5

I don't think so, the government spends hundreds of millions of dollars on the war against drugs. They're not making ANY money off of weed now, but they'd make a whole lots in taxes if it were legal!

Answer 6

I agree yet they do make funds because of the fact each and each time somebody is arrested for marijuana they could pay hefty courtroom fines and circulate by way of their stupid courses that fee funds too. They do it so as that they could have a activity because of the fact legalization could quite eliminate a number of their jobs, we does no longer choose as many officers on team if pot have been criminal. And that's authentic there does no longer be as a lot of human beings in reformatory. that's no distinctive than prohibition on alcohol years in the past and if it quite is criminal i do no longer see why pot is illegitimate for real. Alcohol is worse than pot any day. One in 4 American families are plagued via alcoholism.

Answer 7

I agree with Miss Bliss, I think that if they taxed it and made it legal there would be a lot more money to be made by the government. It is just going to take time for the political pendulum to swing back the other way for us to find out.

Answer 8

Marijuana should stay illegal we would have drug addicts walking around high all the time, I do not think the goverment directly profits from it beeing illegal I would think they would have alot more profit from it being legal, People are currently attemping to argue to allow it in the form of "Medicines" the supreme court will most likley have a case about this soon!

Answer 9

Legalize, pack, sell & tax like cigarettes & alcohol. The gov't has spent bushels of money on the war against drugs - makes more sense to legalize it & impose a sin tax.

Answer 10

I don't think the government does but I think the pharmaceutical companies do... they after all control much of modern medicine and are opposed to any natural remedy because it will take away from their sales... that's why many natural products are discouraged...