Buy some pot, fix the state budget deficit, say lawmakers in California. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, a democrat from San Francisco, introduced Monday Assembly Bill 390. The bill would allow the sale of marijuana to anyone 21 and over and tax those sales, generating much needed revenue for the state of California's coffers.
Of course, medical use of marijuana is already allowed in California, even though our federal law prohibits it. The same thing would happen if AB 390 passed. California would need to petition the federal government for a policy change. But President Obama has said in the past that he is in favor of decriminalization of marijuana, so maybe changing federal policy wouldn't be as hard as some predict.
The proposed law prohibts smoking pot in public places, growing it in public view or promoting its use near public schools. Analyists say sales of pot could raise $1.3 billion per year. Since the fine at present for possessing less than 28.5 grams of pot is $100 ($350 with penalties), the state isn't getting rich off prosecuting offenders and collecting fines.
What do you think? Is it high time to legalize marijuana or will doing so jeopardize the very fabric of society and destroy our moral fortitude?
The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, coming June 2009.
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Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
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Ha ! Lets do it !!!
... well maybe not actually, but the thought that it's being considered is interesting...not sure that it would be a good thing with those 'less responsible' ... especially if its around schools ....
Elizabeth - This is definitely one topic that I have very mixed feelings about. On the one hand, I see the tax advantage and financial opportunities for the state but at what costs? Our moral fortitude, as you say? Hmmmmmm?
I also have very mixed feelings about this. I think the tax benefits are huge but the end doesn't justify the means. And on the other hand cigarettes and alcohol are legal. And lord only knows all the junk that's in cigarettes. I honestly don't think it'll pass on a federal level. There was actually a tv special on the medical use of it recently. It showed the states that allow it. I believe there are about 7-10. I think the more state that come around to using it medically the better the chance of it being legalized. And even after that the government is going to try and control the product that is put out there and there are soooo many different strains now I'm sure people will want the strong stuff and that will still be illegal. AND I KNOW THIS FROM THE TV SPECIAL! :) lol! I'm not surprised California is trying this though. Many if not most new ideas come from the west and make their way east.
Elizabeth - I think it is worth some serious investigation. Billions are spend each year on virtually unenforceable laws. Marijuana is today's alcholol. The U.S. had 13 years of prohibition and all it did was raise the visibility of Elliot Ness. Of course, as a person of libertarian leanings, I also think the government should stay out of legislating "sin". I would probably have taken huge advantage of it 25 - 30 years ago. I am past that now, though.
Lordy, Lizzie, what a topic to bring up. I'm afraid if I take a stance on this I'll be losing a few friends. Suffice it to say I'm a liberal.
Hey Barbara: I didn't bring this up all on my own. It was splashed all over the front page of the newspaper today. Just wonderin' what people thought about it.
Hi Mike: Yeah, 30 years ago I may have been all excited over this, but those days are history. The truth is if I wanted pot, I could get it prescribed for me and go to the dispensary down the street.
Hi Krista: Hey, your company is called Fox & Roach. 'Nuff said.
Hi Donne: Oh, you know how people are or weren't you forced to watch that marijuana movie from the 1930s in 6th grade?
Hi Sheldon: This proposed law would prohibit the sale near schools, but I've got news for you. It's already in schools. Kids are messing around with drugs at much younger ages these days. Alcohol, too.
Elizabeth: What is legalizing the stuff really gonna do to tear apart society if alcohol can't do it? Guarantee that California will get a boom for relocating citizens of other states...and you're just the person to sell them houses.
LOL! I didn't even catch that!
Elizabeth, Pot WILL be legal in California. It's just a matter of when. Why not do it now before the state goes bankrupt?
Elizabeth wrote : is it HIGH time we legalized marijuana? Why does that strike me as funny!!
I'm with Bryant on this one, Elizabeth. Reminds me of the old stories about prohibition. A huge segment of our society is speaking loudly and clearly... and while the rest of us may not be in agreement, I think it's inevitable that Mary Jane will be legalized. And given the financial straights of CA, why not go ahead and do it now?
Ending the prohibition of this commodity ought to be dovetailed with a propaganda champain reminding consumers of the hazzards of public intoxication, and chronic consumption. The odd trouble maker will capture the attention of police, as civilized people we must suffer fools with grace. All this sort of legislation does is to erase the black market, redirecting a stream of revenue into the state treasury. Better the state profits from folly then being beggered by paying for "wars on things".
Legalize it. Tax it. Reduce the defecit. I want law enforcement getting Osama bin Laden, not the stoner from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Although I haven't smoked pot for many, many years - I understand the debate. I know of a wide spread of people all ages and economic levels who choose to be "outlaws" and smoke pot. When alcohol was illegal, were the ones who chose to drink "immoral"? An interesting debate - for sure.
I have mixed emotions about legalizing pot! And I think we will have mixed results should it become legalized. I do find it ironic that we legalized a lottery to help us with schools, and now we consider pot to help with the budget! By the way, has anyone ever seen an actual accounting of how "well" the lottery "revenue" has positively impacted our schools?
By the way Elizabeth - I really enjoyed having lunch with you today! Any day, I can share a meal with someone who enjoys making a blood sport out of performing "short-sales" is good company:-)
Hi, I grew up in northern california, mendocino county to be exact. in the last ten years there has been a huge shift in the kind of people that come and go here. ten years ago there were a few large grows, I mean raking in a couple millions probably was possible. but for the most part it was mixed in with the tomatoes and hidden in the hills in small ammounts for local sales and use. now every year if you go to the feed store there are hundreds of people in and out buying all the supplies they need to grow, there are literally thousands of truck loads of fertilizer delivered all over the area. Water trucks run none stop. water pumps pump millions of gallons of water out of the rivers and streams, springs have been diverted to feed huge grows on private and public property. deer and other wild life are poisoned and shot to keep them out of these gardens. Timber has been clear cut to make space for bigger row crops of these gardens. I live in fear! I carry a gun everywhere I go knowing that my life is in danger because of the people that protect or frequent these areas and gardens. Last year we had over 200 plants removed from our property. it took two months of phone calls. and in the end we were left with the evnironmental impact and mess to clean up. The the spring that once supplied us with water has dried up, this because the pot growers above our property drilled the same spring higher up the hill. now we don't have water. PLEASE legalize this stuff, tax and regulate it, make our community safe again. let the farmers that are regulated grow it. make it safe to grow, to sell, and use. I hate marijuana, but I want to raise my son in a safe environment, and the only way I can see that happening to cut the profit from underneith the mexican cartel that has moved in here and the other large commercial growers. PLEASE LEGALIZE IT! I'll never use it but then I don't use cigarettes of alcohol, but I can live with knowing others do.
Hello Denise: If I lived in Mendocino, I'd feel the same way. Heck, I don't even live in Medoncino, and I still feel the same way. :)
Thanks, Myrl, for chipping in, or should I say "chirping" in? I enjoyed lunch with you, too. And my husband was very happy I brought him home the dog bones!
My thoughts are if we collect tax money from it and we can save money trying to enforce it.. it sounds like a win-win to me.