Should America's largest cash crop be legalized?

Question

U.S. growers produce nearly $35 billion worth of marijuana annually, making the illegal drug the country's largest cash crop, bigger than corn and wheat combined, an advocate of medical marijuana use said in a study released on Monday............

By comparison, the United States produced an average of nearly $23.3 billion worth of corn annually from 2003 to 2005, $17.6 billion worth of soybeans, $12.2 billion worth of hay, nearly $11.1 billion worth of vegetables and $7.4 billion worth of wheat, the report said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061219/od_nm/usa_marijuana1_dc_1&printer=1

Answer 1

That's a lot of tax money the gov't is missing out on. And those farmers won't need subsidies.

Answer 2

Yes, it most definitely should be legalized! Everyone keeps debating the potential tax dollars that the Govt would earn, but no one is mentioning the money we would save before it is even taxed.

Every minute more and more of our tax dollars are being flushed down the toilet by spending more for D.E.A. and law enforcement devoted to prevent marijuana cultivation, distribution, and use. Imagine if we redirected that drug prevention money towards a real drug like crystal meth. Just about every police agency has said meth is the biggest drug problem in their area, and yet we waste our money on preventing marijuana.

Why?

As for the people that claim marijuana legalization would be bad for our society and cause all of these problems. I think they've been inhaling too much out the propaganda pipe from the federal govt.

Answer 3

YOU're Kidding, Right? Try sitting in on about 90 NA open meetings and ask a few members what they got started on etc. OR you could leak your idea to the Democrats who would at least find a way to create a paid task force and sponsor market tests, etc. Some of them might even legalize this insane morality, like many other moral principals [gay mariages and on and on] which they seem to think their power and money positions automatically gives them greater WISDOM Or you can just try becoming a pot head for 10 or 20 years and conduct your own research. But I realize...YOU're Kidding, Right?

Answer 4

That would be a smart move on the Governments part, even if I don't sell or smoke marijuana today. But, I did use to smoke it, but, Lived in Hawaii where it was grown locally and sold illegally. But, it was probably the best and strongest marijuana you would find in the US.

But, in the Mainland US, the marijuana is being smuggled in through Mexico, and that is why the Mexican government (corrupt and receives pay offs) don't want no barriers on our borders. Millions of Americans purchase and use these drugs from Mexico, and not mentioning other more potent drugs, cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth.

I can see our government legalizing marijuana to distribute it legally with restrictions by age. That will put back our tax money from those who receive financial assistance from the govt. and those who work and purchase marijuana. Hopefully, that can also help to support senior programs and govt. debts.

Answer 5

Might as well. But the real cash crop, which is much bigger, is from the drugs that the C.I.A. distribute around the world. It helps keep the D.O.W. artificially inflated so it doesn't crash. Besides, it's nothing to do with the pot that people smoke. The whole thing is about Hemp. If Hemp was legal to grow, it would cripple many large Corporations, like The Dow Chemical Corporation. So, it's not going to happen.

Answer 6

Yes, I think we should give it a try. I have heard good arguments from both sides. Legalization could lead to a substantial increase in abuse, but not necessarily. Would any increase in abuse outweigh the benefits of better regulation, tax revenues, a likely reduction in trafficking-associated crime, and a reduction in the police state? I think it is likely it would. I have read that there have been problems in the Netherlands due to their allowing marijuana use, though. At any rate, I don't think it would have to be an irrevocable decision. We should keep thorough records of use, abuse, and associated problems. If it turns out to be a bad idea, we could revert to the status quo.

Answer 7

Absolutely - I can think of many more positive outcomes from the legalization of marijuana than negative ones.

Not legalizing the sale and use of marijuana means it is tougher to purchase the drug, thus decreasing the frequency of its use and the frequency of addiction.
If we legalize marijuana, we reduce the black market and the violence associated with the sale of marijuana.
It insures that people who use the drug for medicinal purposes, such as pain control, have access to it.
The sale of marijuana as a prescription drug serves as a source of income for the government.
The government could tax the sale of marijuana and use this income to lower the national debt.

Answer 8

Though the statistics may tell that $35 billion worth of marijuana is produced annuallly, its damage to society must be in terms is much more than that. It should not be viewed in the context of an income to many, and they should be asked to switch over to other type of crops. If USA cannot do it, which other country can?
VR

Answer 9

Yes. It should be. Hemp especially. Hemp would be a great alternative fuel source and does not deplete the soils like corn does. We could save trees by making paper from hemp, and best of all, if Marijuana was legalized the US could tax and regulate it, and hey! Maybe pay off some of that debt that GW accrued waging his illegal war.

My Dad is a cop and he says if anything, alcohol should be illegal, not pot.

Answer 10

Yes, think of all the billions that could be made in taxes, the billions that could be saved in police investigations and prosecution and the billions that would be saved by not putting the offenders in prisions.

Answer 11

I'm all in favor of legalizing pot, but those figures you're using are while it is illegal. The price would go way down if it were legal, and wouldn't come close to the value of corn or wheat.