The Audacity of Dope
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The Audacity of Dope
Could legal marijuana save California’s economy?
By Jeff Segal
Posted Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 10:36am
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has made marijuana a popular topic. He was photographed smoking from a bong, lost corporate sponsorships, and was suspended from the sport as a result. But celebrities aren't the only ones thinking about dope.
Some legislators in California have pot on their minds, too. That's because the government of the biggest economy in the United States is facing a massive budget deficit whose pain would be alleviated by decriminalizing marijuana.
California's current deficit stands at a whopping $15 billion and is expected to reach $42 billion next year. And the state run by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has virtually run out of cash. It recently delayed $3.5 billion of payments to taxpayers and counties.
While nearly all U.S. states currently face budget shortfalls, California's deficit is more than one-third of its general fund. That's largely due to its dependence on income taxes, which slide during a recession. And the state can't easily borrow due to the government bond-market freeze. Moody's even warned it may downgrade the state's rating.
There's no easy fix to the problem, as any solution likely requires cutting benefits and social services—tough political choices for Schwarzenegger. But the state does have an abundant natural resource it may be able to draw on for help.
Marijuana is California's largest cash crop. It's valued at $14 billion annually, or nearly twice the value of the state's grape and vegetable crops combined, according to government statistics. Indeed, a recent report pegged marijuana as two-thirds of the economy of Mendocino County, a ganja hotbed north of San Francisco. That's not surprising—it costs $400 to grow a pound of pot that can sell for $6,000 on the street.
But the state doesn't receive any revenue from its cash cow. Instead, it spends billions of dollars enforcing laws pegged at shutting down the industry and inhibiting marijuana's adherents. Of course, there's a reason for that. Marijuana's social costs may include addiction and rehabilitation treatment and lost productivity. Yet these are minute compared with the extensive social costs of alcohol or tobacco.
Of course, just legalizing pot wouldn't automatically harvest revenues for the state. An organized system of regulating sales and collecting taxes would need implementing. And it's possible that general drug use could rise, though the debate that pot is a gateway drug to harder substances is inconclusive.
There's also the question of whether or not taxing marijuana would simply create a black market that would again skimp the state on taxes. The best corollaries here are cigarettes and alcohol. Rises in "sin taxes" on them have decreased consumption—a positive—but don't seem to have destabilized the legal market. Decriminalization could lead to some job losses in law enforcement, though the countervailing argument would see these forces put to work stopping harder crime.
So what are the numbers? A national legalization effort would save nearly $13 billion annually in enforcement costs and bring in $7 billion in yearly tax revenues, according to a study by Harvard University economist Jeffrey Miron. Since California represents 13 percent of the U.S. economy, those numbers suggest the state could save $1.7 billion in enforcement costs and nab up to $1 billion in revenues. That doesn't include any indirect revenues as, for example, rural farming communities grow or marijuana tourism, which has been lucrative for the Netherlands, takes off.
Put it all together, and California could potentially wipe some $3 billion off its budget deficit by letting its people puff and pay. That still leaves it with a gaping $39 billion hole to fill, so the state's problems go far beyond what a new cash crop can fix. But anything to help soothe the state's chronic fiscal pain—even if unpalatable to some—is worth considering.
Comments
What then?
Legalization would create other social issues. How would the authorities make their cut? Do you want poor police? It's getting so that........
Anything can be legalized.
Man's laws can be created to suit man. What is needed is money. Money is regulated. Why? So, that the regulator has power. This is the only way that they can function. Without it, the administrative mind is far more dangerous that with it. So, there are 2 choices. Rid the planet of the administrative mind OR give them the money to control. Little bits and pieces of control are not the answer. It's an all or nothing issue.
Legalization of pot makes as much sense as allowing the stock market to be affected by such things as Oprah's weight.
Subjectivity has to go.
".....and you shall know them by their fruits...." Jesus Christ circa 25 AD.
Marijuana
Why is there such a paranoia of pot? It was not a gateway drug in my case. Tobacco and alcohol came before that for me and even before that it was food to escape this world and its problems.In fact marijuana changed my outlook on life and rid me of the desire to commit suicide,- the ultimate escape. Serving our country in its fiasco and first military defeat in war, Vietnam had some of the best marijuana known to hippie mankind. I became a hippie in uniform and lost my desire to hurt and kill. In fact marijuana opened my eyes to the amazing natural beauty of life and it enhanced every action of my life. When I was HIGH I was highter in my consciousness and my senses were sharpened to the point that I was able to be happy and see the positive aspects of every thing I encountered. I wanted to live like never before and also it taught me what was truly important in life. It taught me that love was the most important thing in life and that hatred and strife was something to be avoided and not embraced. Suddenly all human life was valuable- as well as all of creation. I became hip to the truth of life. Life was meant to be enjoyed and we were meant to live and let live in peace and to be satisfied with what I had been given. My inner eyes were open to the hidden beauty of life and that I needed nothing but my own few physical needs. I saw all men as brothers and that war,-any war- was stupid and foolish. Marijuana made me ask the question why we were at war. The people we were fighting to protect were really not interested in politics or government. They just wanted to live and let live. They wanted to grow their rice and crops and have families and prosper in peace but just like us the war was forced upon them. The common people were told they had to choose to be capitalistic or communism and either choice they made made them an enemy to the other. Talk about catch 22. I was not the only one whose eyes were opened. That is why there was such a protest against the war. Marijuana did not kill one person in Vietnam. I did go on to other drugs, but that tendency started with nicotine and alcohol and cough syrup as a teen for me. Since the time I started my escape, from the world I was forced to partake in, which I really thought I needed to escape from, I have done just about every drug there is to abuse.I never liked any on them more than marijuana. It was the least addictive of all and the least harmful to my personality. I never wanted to harm anyone or fight anyone ar steal to support my habit. In fact I grew my own as much as possible and did not support the drug cartels that way.
Alcohol always made me violent without using marijuana with it. All the other drugs either made me sick or paranoid or steal to support my habit. Marijuana does nothing but enhance whatever it is you are doing and makes it much more enjoyable. It can also help pain tolerance and depression.
In fact, marijuana makes one look for other reasons to live and other answers than the status quo. It makes the pursuit of wealth and power meaningless. It makes you more focused on the world without and the needs and cares of others. It makes music better, food taste better, and sex more enjoyable. It makes a person more personable and less likely to do harm to others.
So why is marijuana so feared? Because it opens the eyes of the user to the folly of greed and control. It opens peoples minds to the unseen reality of life and love and the brotherhood of mankind. In this world of economic pursuit, marijuana is a threat to the idea that prosperity at the cost of others poverty is the ultimate goal of evolutional theory of only the strong survive. Marijuana teaches the soul that all life is precious and that we should cooperate with each other and not compete with each other. Even nature teaches that cooperation is necessary for survival of the race. We are creatures that are herd dwellers like other mammals. Look at a hive of bees or a colony of aunts. Could they survive as a species if they all did whatever they wanted to do? They must surrender their desires to that of the good of the entire colony. So should we. Marijuana puts one into that mindset. Maijuana also has many other uses as well and could even help with the energy crisis. So the government has outlawed something that is less harmful in favor of legalizing something much more harmful.
Legalize it
Only if the alcohol and tobacco companies allow it!
their lobbiest's are among some of the best, the government permits a product that is poison enhanced, addiction enhanced and kills people, cost the population billions of dollars in lost time and illness related issues. but yet we cannot get a product that has shown assistance in chemo related problems, has showen to have an effect against lung cancer, promotes eating, and reduces violence, when was the last time you heard of someone under the influance of pot shooting someone, or beating them to death or even strong arguments ...
It is about time we catch up to Europe and get a reality check, it is not government, it is BIG INDUSTRY, look at the dollars alcohol and tobacco take in each year, and then tell me why we cannot get it legalized, the big companies cannot controll it, little growers can supply their friends and neighbours and still pay taxes and make a profit.
Slam on the breaks against alchol lets see what happens.
marijauana saving california
Legalization is a good idea, but the problem is that the government already makes too much from keeping substances illegal. Think of the legal system; judges, clerks, attorneys all who depend on criminal enterprise for their livelihood. Also, the equation must include law enforcement: police officers, jailers, prison workers who depend on there being people who run afoul of our current laws. These people are a great portion of those who help to create laws, do you really think they will allow legislation to put them out of work?
California
California is going bankrupt because of the Democrat Legislature and Republican In Name Only Governor Schwarzenneger. Arnold is referred to as Blockhead locally. He was hired to keep the budget balanced but always has an excuse not to. Favorite excuse is the schools.
Money is not the problem with the schools in California or the nation. Attitude and refusal to live within their means is the school problem as is all government's.
Legalizing Obama's favorite weed would be a disaster not only for California but also the country.
Legalization of Marijuana
I hope this happens. I for one have been angry for a while that taxpayer money has been spent in law enforcement of marijuana and would like to see it legalized AND taxed. There is so much revenue to be made. Also legalization might bring an end to the ridiculous and dangerously high levels of THC additives, which are having a negative effect on the mental health of long term users, as it would hopefully subject the commodity to review by the Food and Drug Administration, which could then limit the levels of THC additive in the product.
Also with regard to Michael Phelps I feel sorry for him. I want to know where the same lynch mob was when the Mayor of Washington DC was caught with dope. If Michael Phelps could be sanctioned by a national sports authority how is it that Mayor Berry has suffered no sanctions and still holds his office? I really hate to say this but it's not because of his race is it? I hope not.
A delicate subject. Pot.
In reference to Dr.RP's editorial about the usage of pot and how it affects people. I just have this to say, not everybody has the same reactions to marijauna as you seem to have. I saw my cousin waste his life and a security account that his grandparents set up for him for when he reached adulthood, a large sum at that, just laying around and smoking pot. He had married a woman with 5 kids and was pregnant with his child as well. He spent no money on bills or childcare. He bought no groceries and he ran around on his wife to boot. All because he was stoned all the time. Personally, I have nothing against pot as I had spent 15 yrs of my life smoking it. I always had a secure job and was able to pay my bills, etc..., but that was me and not him. As for legalizing marijuana, I will leave that to the beauracrats. Thank you.
Hello? HELLO! This could really help!
Now, this takes a little time to read but well WORTH it!!
WHY DON'T AMERICAN'S USE MORE HEMP?
1. On an annual basis, 1 acre of hemp will produce as much fiber as 2 to 3 acres of cotton. Hemp fiber is stronger and softer than cotton, lasts twice as long as cotton, and will not mildew. Many textile products (shirts, jackets, pants, backpacks, etc.) made from 100% hemp are now available.
2. Cotton grows only in moderate climates and requires more water than hemp; but hemp is frost tolerant, requires only moderate amounts of water, and grows in all 50 states. Cotton requires large quantities of pesticides and herbicides--50% of the world's pesticides/herbicides are used on cotton. But hemp requires no pesticides, no herbicides, and only moderate amounts of fertilizer.
3. On an annual basis, 1 acre of hemp will produce as much paper as 2 to 4 acres of trees. From tissue paper to cardboard, all types of paper products can be produced from hemp. Global demand for paper will double within 25 years. Unless tree-free sources of paper are developed, there is no way to meet future demand without causing massive deforestation and environmental damage. Hemp is the world's most promising source of tree-free paper.
4.The quality of hemp paper is superior to tree-based paper. Hemp paper will last hundreds of years without degrading, can be recycled many more times than tree-based paper, and requires less toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process than does paper made from trees.
5. Hemp can be used to produce fiberboard that is stronger than wood, lighter than wood, and fire retardant. Substituting hemp fiberboard for timber would further reduce the need to cut down our forests. Hemp can also be used to produce strong, durable and environmentally-friendly plastic substitutes. Thousands of products made from petroleum-based plastics can be produced from hemp-based composites. Mercedes Benz of Germany has recently begun manufacturing automobile bodies and dashboards made from hemp.
6. It takes years for trees to grow until they can be harvested for paper or wood, but hemp is ready for harvesting only 120 days after it is planted. Hemp can grow on most land suitable for farming, but forests and tree farms require large tracts of land available in few locations. Harvesting hemp rather than trees would also eliminate erosion due to logging, thereby reducing topsoil loss and water pollution caused by soil runoff.
7. Hemp seeds contain a protein that is more nutritious and more economical to produce than soybean protein. Hemp seeds are not intoxicating. Hemp seed protein can be used to produce virtually any product made from soybean: tofu, veggie burgers, butter, cheese, salad oils, ice cream, milk, etc. Hemp seed can also be ground into a nutritious flour that can be used to produce baked goods such as pasta, cookies, and breads.
8. Hemp seed oil can be used to produce non-toxic diesel fuel, paint, varnish, detergent, ink and lubricating oil. Because hemp seeds account for up to half the weight of a mature hemp plant, hemp seed is a viable source for these products.
9. Just as corn can be converted into clean-burning ethanol fuel, so can hemp. Because hemp produces more biomass than any plant species (including corn) that can be grown in a wide range of climates and locations, hemp has great potential to become a major source of ethanol fuel.
10. Literally millions of wild hemp plants currently grow throughout the U.S. Wild hemp, like hemp grown for industrial use, has no drug properties because of its low THC content. U.S. marijuana laws prevent farmers from growing the same hemp plant that proliferates in nature by the millions.
11. From 1776 to 1937, hemp was a major American crop and textiles made from hemp were common. Yet, The American Textile Museum, The Smithsonian Institute, and most American history books contain no mention of hemp. The government's War on Marijuana Smokers has created an atmosphere of self censorship--speaking of hemp in a positive manner is considered taboo.
12. United States Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp, used products made from hemp, and praised the hemp plant in some of their writings. Under the laws written by today's politicians, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson would be considered a threat to society--they would be arrested and thrown in prison for the felony crime of growing plants.
13. No other natural resource offers the potential of hemp. Cannabis Hemp is capable of producing significant quantities of paper, textiles, building materials, food, medicine, paint, detergent, varnish, oil, ink, and fuel. Unlike other crops, hemp can grow in most climates and on most farmland throughout the world with moderate water and fertilizer requirements, no pesticides, and no herbicides. Cannabis Hemp (also known as Indian Hemp) has enormous potential to become a major natural resource that can benefit both the economy and the environment.
"Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere."
--President George Washington, 1794
California pot
OR, the state could be totally hypocritical and not legalize but rather institute hefty fines for selling/harvesting pot. Then show up right after harvest time, collect the fines and leave - until the next time. Forget jails, forget flyovers of parks and wilderness, forget all that cr-p, just fine them. This would totally undercut the Mexican pot trade, too, which would shortly be reduced to meth runners, which are OK to go after, hopefully with federal funds, not state. Making pot legal steps on federal turf so Calif. needs to find a legal way around that, one that permits the state to put some of that $ in its coffers, while eliminating the outrageous costs of enforcing an unnecessary and draconian law.