Would the government benefit from marijuana legalization?

Question

Just a little thought below. What are your opinions? I personally think Marijuana is no better and no worse than alcohol. I think the government could use OUR money more efficiently and more effectively...

By legalizing this drug, the government would save the money it currently spends fighting the war on marijuana. The federal government spends $19.2 billion every year in fighting the war on drugs; state governments combined spend $77.8 billion every year in this effort. Conservatively estimated, 20 percent of the government's war on drugs expenditures goes toward marijuana. Assuming that Washington state spends one-fiftieth of the states' combined expenditure, this means we spend somewhere around $300 million to fight marijuana.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/134881_marijuana14.html

Answer 1

no, because even though weed in usually non addictive, over 80% of people that start with weed, move on to stronger drugs. That cost on society from lost wages, crime, rehab, health care is astronomical

Answer 2

Would the government benefit? Undoubtedly. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea. Society at large would be deteriously affected by the legalization of marijuana.

The unfortunate thing is, the war against marijuana was really just a disguised war against hemp, pushed upon America by the corporate elite who had greater access to affecting government legistation than the average Joe. Forget marijuana, let's work to get hemp legally and affordably grown and harvested in this country. It's one of nature's most versatile products. Using hemp would bring us far more revenue in exports and savings of natural resources as well as less reliance on produced resources (since hemp is a thriving renewable resource). It also means all those industrial plants producing synthetic fibers for all manner of products and spewing toxic byproducts could be shut down.

That's the closest you'll ever see me sounding like a Green Party rep, by a country mile....but the documentation is there for the history I speak of here.

Answer 3

Yes they would of course, but they have to do it right. There has to be a lot of regulation for this industry, we would have to set up a tax system and some form of testing for potency of product. But I do not agree that there would be limits to the point where a "dopey stoner" would buy it illegally. I can go into a store and legally buy fifteen bottles of 151, enough alchohol to basically kill myself without raising so much of an eyebrow from the store clerk, i don't see it being much different when the equation involves marijuana. And this wouldn't only benefit the government, give the rights to grow to individual farmers, and maybe we could reverse the tide of corporate takeovers of individual farms.

Answer 4

If I was a dope fiend I would not want it legalized. Legalisation would require a limit guideline, a toxity level and taxation similar or higher to cigerettes. Most dopey stoners would therefore still buy it illegally. The penality's for buying from an unauthorised seller would probably be stiffer than they are now because you would be doing the government out of money.
PS. If you must smoke get your health facts right - what you believe may not be the reality (common side affect of suckin others germs from bongs)

Answer 5

i agree 100% and to the guy above...i would love to see the stats taht 80% of the people that start with pot use heavier drugs....Weed is just ONE of the "gateway" drugs...and its not even the number 1. Its just an excuse...the 3 top leading gateway drugs are Cigarettes, Alcohol and Weed. I know this because i just went to a Drug and alcohol class yesterday for a DUI, but thats beside the point. Our government could use this taxable income as means of paying our debts and bettering education. it would be a controlled drug, as is alcohol. designated to be used in certain conditions. this really falls along the lines of religious and political topics...you can go round and round forever on this topic!

Answer 6

Of course the Govt would benefit, can you imagine the taxes they could get out of it? Not to mention the jobs that could be created by people regulating the growth and marketing, not to mention the time and money saved from not having to pursue every petty possesion charge

Answer 7

I keep hearing this whole gateway drug PROPAGANDA. I am sooooo sick of it. The onlly reason it will NEVER be legal is because any MORON can grow the stuff!!!! so there is no way for the gov. to tax it. The gov. wants you to take the drug company drugs they get kick backs from. Viagra anyone? xanax anyone? oh and of course our fave alcohol!!!!!

Answer 8

If you could try and keep it away from the kids I think It might be good tax income stream for our government to waste as they do the rest of our tax dollars

Answer 9

Everything should be legal. Government can't do anything right at all and should be powerless. Live by the law of the jungle. Anarchy forever!

Answer 10

i really want to agree with you....but looking at how the gov chooses to make money off of tobacco, instead of making it illegal, makes me sick. tobacco wracks up billions in expenses for healthcare, but the gov prefers to impose taxes/make money off of it instead of making it illegal.

i suspect there'll be something down the road that clearly illustrates the harm done by pot......and if the gov is making money from it,...harm will mean nothing