How to stimulate the economy: Legalise marijuana

2009-02-02 15:55:40

#1

BVC: Member; +325|6999

Such an action would eliminate the untaxed cannabis economy overnight. People will either buy commercial stuff, grow their own, or more likely a mixture of the two. Any money they previously spent on marijuana will be largely redirected into the economy by way of spending on commercially-grown stuff (those who don't grow), or spending on other stuff (for those who do, and have more money to spend as a result).

End result: More of everything is sold, more jobs are created and governments gain more tax revenue.

Discuss.

2009-02-02 15:58:18

#2

andy12: Banned; +52|6961

Too much logic for any Western government.

2009-02-02 16:01:20

#3

Macbeth: Banned; +2,444|5889

This is going to become a
"I saw a bunch of people I know ruin their lives on it so nobody should use it"
followed by
"Well I smoke weed every so often and I'm pretty successful"
followed by
"Yeah but not everyone is you. Not everyone can deal with it like you can."
followed by
"I've seen plenty of people I know use pot and lead successful lives."

Everyone just uses their own life experiences for a huge generalization of everyone who used at some point and it becomes a "my life experience trumps yours" thing.

2009-02-02 16:06:03

#4

Dilbert_X: The X stands for; +1,817|6409|eXtreme to the maX

Such an action would eliminate the untaxed cannabis economy overnight. People will either buy commercial stuff, grow their own, or more likely a mixture of the two. Any money they previously spent on marijuana will be largely redirected into the economy by way of spending on commercially-grown stuff (those who don't grow), or spending on other stuff (for those who do, and have more money to spend as a result).

The money people spend already goes into the economy, whether its commercial or illegal makes no difference.
Tax gained is likely to be pretty low, as not many people smoke it and they wouldn't be prepared to pay the commercial rate with tax, plus a lot of the fun would go out of it if it were legal.
People who grow their own would most likely continue as before, so no net benefit.

Pretty sure a lot of companies would set up screening to prevent people being affected at work, so its not as if use will become mainstream.

That and
"I saw a bunch of people I know ruin their lives on it so nobody should use it"

Last edited by Dilbert_X (2009-02-02 16:08:28)

Fuck Israel

2009-02-02 16:07:40

#5

Doctor Strangelove: Real Battlefield Veterinarian.; +1,758|6772

Dilbert_X wrote:
Such an action would eliminate the untaxed cannabis economy overnight. People will either buy commercial stuff, grow their own, or more likely a mixture of the two. Any money they previously spent on marijuana will be largely redirected into the economy by way of spending on commercially-grown stuff (those who don't grow), or spending on other stuff (for those who do, and have more money to spend as a result).
The money people spend already goes into the economy, whether its commercial or illegal makes no difference.
Tax gained is likely to be pretty low, as not many people smoke it and they wouldn't be prepared to pay the commercial rate with tax.
People who grow their own would most likely continue as before, so no net benefit.

That and
"I saw a bunch of people I know ruin their lives on it so nobody should use it"

True, but what about enforcement costs?

2009-02-02 16:08:22

#6

lowing: Banned; +1,662|6955|USA

I am for legalizing all drugs, tax the shit out of it, and let those that want to endulge in them have at, this will thin out the population nicely.

2009-02-02 16:10:02

#7

Dilbert_X: The X stands for; +1,817|6409|eXtreme to the maX

I am for legalizing all drugs, tax the shit out of it, and let those that want to endulge in them have at, this will thin out the population nicely.

It would eliminate a lot of the fucktards.

Fuck Israel

2009-02-02 16:10:59

#8

[F7F7]KiNG_KaDaFFHi: Why walk when you can dance?; +77|6891|sWEEDen

I prefer to be taxed rather then arrested.

2009-02-02 16:11:08

#9

Dilbert_X: The X stands for; +1,817|6409|eXtreme to the maX

The Sheriif wrote:
True, but what about enforcement costs?

And medical costs, and time off work.
Pretty sure there would be no net gain or a loss.

Fuck Israel

2009-02-02 16:21:09

#10

Turquoise: O Canada; +1,596|6708|North Carolina

andy12 wrote:
Too much logic for any Western government.

It's not exactly legal in most non-Western governments either. In fact, one could argue that the West is much more liberal about pot than most other cultures.

2009-02-02 17:08:33

#11

Harmor: Error_Name_Not_Found; +605|6852|San Diego, CA, USA

OP: Mary Jane is a gateway drug...you can get addicted to it. Granted you can get addicted to Coke-a-cola, but not going to ruin your life and anyone around you.

2009-02-02 17:11:36

#12

Turquoise: O Canada; +1,596|6708|North Carolina

Harmor wrote:
OP: Mary Jane is a gateway drug...you can get addicted to it. Granted you can get addicted to Coke-a-cola, but not going to ruin your life and anyone around you.

The gateway argument is fallacious in its logic. It's not the drug itself that leads to other drugs, it's who you associate with to get the drug that leads to other drugs.

For example, if alcohol was illegal and pot was legal, alcohol would be the "gateway" drug because you'd need a dealer to get it, and he might lace your alcohol with something else more addictive.

That's how the gateway thing works. It's not the drug itself, it's the situation.

2009-02-02 17:12:06

#13

deeznutz1245: Connecticut: our chimps are stealin yo' faces.; +483|6796|Connecticut

er no. I dont do drugs but I know enough to bet that it would be taxed and less potent. Its not like people can't already get better shit now whenever they want for cheaper. Besides if it was legalized people would still get the cheper better stuff with out fear of getting caught with it.

Last edited by deeznutz1245 (2009-02-02 17:12:27)

Malloy must go

2009-02-02 17:20:07

#14

CommieChipmunk: Member; +488|6873|Portland, OR, USA

Harmor wrote:
OP: Mary Jane is a gateway drug...you can get addicted to it. Granted you can get addicted to Coke-a-cola, but not going to ruin your life and anyone around you.

errr... So why is alcohol/tobacco legal?

In my experience, alcohol is far more intoxicating than pot. As long as it's used responsibly and in one's own residence, I see no reason why it should remain a taboo in our society. It's almost comical really.

2009-02-02 17:20:33

#15

S.Lythberg: Mastermind; +429|6750|Chicago, IL

Turquoise wrote:
andy12 wrote:
Too much logic for any Western government.
It's not exactly legal in most non-Western governments either. In fact, one could argue that the West is much more liberal about pot than most other cultures.

Indonesia still executes

2009-02-02 17:40:07

#16

Commie Killer: Member; +192|6690

You ever meet a dealer? Like a real dealer, a guy whos only job is to sell and has to live off it? They are some creepy mother fuckers, aint like the high school and college kids who do it on the side to make a little cash.

2009-02-02 17:41:04

#17

[F7F7]KiNG_KaDaFFHi: Why walk when you can dance?; +77|6891|sWEEDen

Homegrown ftw....that or Marocco.

2009-02-02 19:18:35

#18

Dilbert_X: The X stands for; +1,817|6409|eXtreme to the maX

If cannabis isn't addictive why are users so passionate about it?
I could live without alcohol no problem.

Fuck Israel

2009-02-02 19:24:40

#19

Poseidon: Fudgepack DeQueef; +3,253|6841|Long Island, New York

I like NY's decriminalization...but legalization would work pretty well too.

2009-02-02 19:26:39

#20

jsnipy: ...; +3,277|6826|...

Now that would be a Green Economy I could get behind.

2009-02-02 20:01:11

#21

topthrill05: Member; +125|6881|Rochester NY USA

Lawl all the arguments against could be used for alcohol as well, yet its legal. So should pot.

2009-02-02 20:04:47

#22

[F7F7]KiNG_KaDaFFHi: Why walk when you can dance?; +77|6891|sWEEDen

Dilbert_X wrote:
If cannabis isn't addictive why are users so passionate about it?
I could live without alcohol no problem.

I think we are passionate about that we want it legal?

2009-02-02 20:09:29

#23

Commie Killer: Member; +192|6690

[F7F7]KiNG_KaDaFFHi wrote:
Dilbert_X wrote:
If cannabis isn't addictive why are users so passionate about it?
I could live without alcohol no problem.
I think we are passionate about that we want it legal?

Its a culture. Sampling the different strains, and smoking. Being with the people you often meet in places like Bonnaroo.

Last edited by Commie Killer (2009-02-02 20:10:58)

2009-02-02 20:19:20

#24

deeznutz1245: Connecticut: our chimps are stealin yo' faces.; +483|6796|Connecticut

Dilbert_X wrote:
If cannabis isn't addictive why are users so passionate about it?
I could live without alcohol no problem.

So are you suggesting that alcohol is not addictive?

Malloy must go

2009-02-02 20:25:12

#25

Dilbert_X: The X stands for; +1,817|6409|eXtreme to the maX

Not addictive to me, or anyone else I know.
The good news is tokers never seem able to come up with a convincing argument for legalisation, or a convincing argument for anything else for that matter

If dope were legalised I can't see it stimulating the economy.
More likely lead to more car crashes, days off work, people being less productive if they make it to work etc.
The economic argument on tax doesn't stack up either.

As far as balance of trade goes, pretty sure its the dealers making the most, farmers in Mexico, Morocco and Afghanistan probably don't see much of it.

Last edited by Dilbert_X (2009-02-02 20:27:31)

Fuck Israel

BF2S Forums How to stimulate the economy: Legalise marijuana

Dilbert_X wrote:

The Sheriif wrote:

andy12 wrote:

Harmor wrote:

Harmor wrote:

Turquoise wrote:

andy12 wrote:

Dilbert_X wrote:

[F7F7]KiNG_KaDaFFHi wrote:

Dilbert_X wrote:

Dilbert_X wrote:

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