So they're both essentially cool with the government controlling them, and you and me.

tax the shiat out of it. It's a weed and grows damn easy. The reason it costs so much is because it's illegal and there is a risk involved, just like alcohol prohibition.
Not too long ago some poor bastages were bringing their harvest home and got a flat tire. Of course mr. nice police officer stopped to help and then noticed a smell, saw some garbage bags and did the job he was paid to do.
They valued the weed at $70k. A modest tax of say 10% would have placed $7k in the tax pool( you do your own math). But instead they'll probably end up spending $250k MINIMUM to prosecute these guys. It's a depressed farm economy here and people are at least trying to work and make a living instead of taking from the systemfarking bullshiat.



\\wann know how I really feel?

cretinbob: tax the shiat out of it. It's a weed and grows damn easy. The reason it costs so much is because it's illegal and there is a risk involved, just like alcohol prohibition.
Not too long ago some poor bastages were bringing their harvest home and got a flat tire. Of course mr. nice police officer stopped to help and then noticed a smell, saw some garbage bags and did the job he was paid to do.
They valued the weed at $70k. A modest tax of say 10% would have placed $7k in the tax pool( you do your own math). But instead they'll probably end up spending $250k MINIMUM to prosecute these guys. It's a depressed farm economy here and people are at least trying to work and make a living instead of taking from the systemfarking bullshiat.



\\wann know how I really feel?

DUDE...you need to spend more time in your "garden".
Go to your happy place, man

I think it's strange that somehow, in what seems almost overnight, marijuana has become basically legal. At least in California.

I mean, I'm sure you could still get busted for it, but apparently I can make a phone call to a doctor and then walk into a marijuana store and buy some weed.

Awesome.

Can someone explain to me again how the government is different from the mafia?

ne2d: Can someone explain to me again how the government is different from the mafia?

The Mafia has a code of ethics.

cretinbob: tax the shiat out of it.

Don't do that. That won't stop private growers. Well, nothing will. But keeping the taxes low, like alcohol has, severely limits private creation. Pot legalization and taxation is a pretty decent unfunded revenue source, and there is no good reason not to do so. Oh, and since I always get called a pothead for saying things like that, so I'll go ahead and mention I've never smoked pot in my life.

There should be private growers. I'm not one, but would be if it were legal.
The government shouldn't be in the business of growing it. It should just be handled like any other comodity. We need to fix the economy and marijuana is the 800 lb gorilla in the room.

pudding7: I think it's strange that somehow, in what seems almost overnight, marijuana has become basically legal. At least in California.

I mean, I'm sure you could still get busted for it, but apparently I can make a phone call to a doctor and then walk into a marijuana store and buy some weed.

Awesome.

That's why I'm moving.

GAT_00: cretinbob: tax the shiat out of it.

Don't do that. That won't stop private growers. Well, nothing will. But keeping the taxes low, like alcohol has, severely limits private creation. Pot legalization and taxation is a pretty decent unfunded revenue source, and there is no good reason not to do so. Oh, and since I always get called a pothead for saying things like that, so I'll go ahead and mention I've never smoked pot in my life.

Beer is pretty easy to brew, I know folks that do it by the keg. Damn fine beer too.

GAT_00: Don't do that. That won't stop private growers. Well, nothing will. But keeping the taxes low, like alcohol has, severely limits private creation. Pot legalization and taxation is a pretty decent unfunded revenue source, and there is no good reason not to do so. Oh, and since I always get called a pothead for saying things like that, so I'll go ahead and mention I've never smoked pot in my life.

I've never smoked pot in my life either and I agree with you.

\Would like to try it though
\\Doesn't know where to get it

question_dj: GAT_00: cretinbob: tax the shiat out of it.

Don't do that. That won't stop private growers. Well, nothing will. But keeping the taxes low, like alcohol has, severely limits private creation. Pot legalization and taxation is a pretty decent unfunded revenue source, and there is no good reason not to do so. Oh, and since I always get called a pothead for saying things like that, so I'll go ahead and mention I've never smoked pot in my life.

Beer is pretty easy to brew, I know folks that do it by the keg. Damn fine beer too.

this

Apparently they're in joint agreement.

R.A.Danny: ne2d: Can someone explain to me again how the government is different from the mafia?

The Mafia has a code of ethics.

THIS

frowns on your shenanigans

Oldiron_79: R.A.Danny: ne2d: Can someone explain to me again how the government is different from the mafia?

The Mafia has a code of ethics.

THIS

That and the mafia readily recognizes and exploits situations where supply and demand create a lucrative market.

The Icelander:

\Would like to try it though
\\Doesn't know where to get it

Go to California. I hear they're passing it out as free samples at the mall.

/need a ride?

question_dj: pudding7: I think it's strange that somehow, in what seems almost overnight, marijuana has become basically legal. At least in California.

I mean, I'm sure you could still get busted for it, but apparently I can make a phone call to a doctor and then walk into a marijuana store and buy some weed.

Awesome.

That's why I'm moving.

I just got my MMJ certificate last week. I had to meet with a doctor, he took my blood pressure, asked a few questions and then gave me the paper.

Sweet!

If only there was a way to reduce the senseless violence related to drug traffic, bring loads of government revenues, jump start the economy, raise revenues from the tourism industry, lower the unemployment rate and thus raising the value of the dollar.

Unfortunately, I don't see it.

Tax pot, remove the tax exempt status from churches. PROFIT!

GAT_00: cretinbob: tax the shiat out of it.

Don't do that. That won't stop private growers. Well, nothing will. But keeping the taxes low, like alcohol has, severely limits private creation. Pot legalization and taxation is a pretty decent unfunded revenue source, and there is no good reason not to do so. Oh, and since I always get called a pothead for saying things like that, so I'll go ahead and mention I've never smoked pot in my life.

Mark this date on the calendar: I agree with everything you just said.

pudding7: I think it's strange that somehow, in what seems almost overnight, marijuana has become basically legal. At least in California.

I mean, I'm sure you could still get busted for it, but apparently I can make a phone call to a doctor and then walk into a marijuana store and buy some weed.

Awesome.

It is awesome. It's also kind of a culture shock to someone like me who is from Pgh where all the head shops were raided and closed. I have to laugh in delight at all the advertisements for clinics in the LA Weekly and all the billboards showcasing medical weed. I LOVE it.
/RIP Tela Ropa

No government money in it. It's too easy to cultivate.

cretinbob: Beer is pretty easy to brew

Not nearly as easy as walking to the store and buying it.

ne2d: Can someone explain to me again how the government is different from the mafia?

One killed Kennedy, the other maybe not so. I'll let you figure out which is which.

/Kidding.

GAT_00: cretinbob: tax the shiat out of it.

Don't do that. That won't stop private growers. Well, nothing will. But keeping the taxes low, like alcohol has, severely limits private creation. Pot legalization and taxation is a pretty decent unfunded revenue source, and there is no good reason not to do so. Oh, and since I always get called a pothead for saying things like that, so I'll go ahead and mention I've never smoked pot in my life.

You are missing out, man. You are missing out. I recently just tried some of the candy you can buy at the shops...Oh Nelly, fun times all around.

raerae1980: GAT_00: cretinbob: tax the shiat out of it.

Don't do that. That won't stop private growers. Well, nothing will. But keeping the taxes low, like alcohol has, severely limits private creation. Pot legalization and taxation is a pretty decent unfunded revenue source, and there is no good reason not to do so. Oh, and since I always get called a pothead for saying things like that, so I'll go ahead and mention I've never smoked pot in my life.

You are missing out, man. You are missing out. I recently just tried some of the candy you can buy at the shops...Oh Nelly, fun times all around.

Just out of curiosity - how'd you get your card?

"Two men on opposite ends of the medical marijuana debate can agree on one thing-- the government should be cashing in on it. "We're leaving a lot of money on the table""

No, they aren't at opposite ends of the debate. If one were completely against medical marijuana, that would make them at opposite ends of the debate.

fireclown: No government money in it. It's too easy to cultivate.

Not really. Good kind bud is not easy to cultivate.

Remember, the average American has trouble understanding a baking soda volcano.

The Icelander: \Would like to try it though
\\Doesn't know where to get it

From what I've seen recently, go to any bar regularly. Tip well, make friends with your bartender, and then ask them. I'm only half joking, but I'd put real money that any bartender you meet that doesn't smoke will at least know someone who does.

// Has to be clean for work but getting know the other side due to friends

so far, every post in this thread has been reasonable and well thought out (except maybe the mafia ones, but those seem more like hyperbole than dead seriousness). I love you guys!

/step 1: legalize marijuana
//step 2: ?????? tax marijuana
///step 3: profit!

our forefathers are rolling over in their graves at all the "freedoms" we have...

AND... our forefathers were growers

/just saying...

Denver City Council members Charlie Brown and Chris Nevitt are polar opposites on how much regulation the burgeoning medical marijuana industry should face.

Good grief.

cretinbob: They valued the weed at $70k. A modest tax of say 10% would have placed $7k in the tax pool( you do your own math)

First you have to consider two things

1.) As you said the high cost comes from the risk
2.) The market has already shown what it will bear

Lets assume that if grown according to modern agricultural practice weed would amount to 1/10th its current price.

Now you can then proceed to tax it up to the current price. Now its easy to grow so there will be some enforcement of the tax and some continued enforcement but you'd be looking at perhaps 70%-80% of the overall price going into the coffers. Instead of getting 7k the government would be receiving 49k-56k net to government coffers assuming the marijuana was sold.

It's really impossible to stop people from growing it themselves and would end up cancelling anything we get prosecuting those people... so decriminalization is probably the best.

Up to X amount, make it completely legal... anything over that slap a $25 or $50 fine and let me be on my way.

The government still profits, and we can keep on smokin'.

So the government should make more money off of a widely accepted treatment for MS, because it's not like my drugs are already expensive.

The Icelander: GAT_00: Don't do that. That won't stop private growers. Well, nothing will. But keeping the taxes low, like alcohol has, severely limits private creation. Pot legalization and taxation is a pretty decent unfunded revenue source, and there is no good reason not to do so. Oh, and since I always get called a pothead for saying things like that, so I'll go ahead and mention I've never smoked pot in my life.

I've never smoked pot in my life either and I agree with you.

\Would like to try it though
\\Doesn't know where to get it

When I was young and dumb and living in the sticks of Schuylkill County, we used to drive down to Philly and go to Mama Dread's house and buy dime bags. I have no idea how my friends ever found out about her, but she had satellite dishes all over her roof and a poster on her front door saying, "Go to Jamaica with us! Come inside and find out how."

In my state anything under 1 ounce is a $100 fine.

/decriminalized in Maryland.

Of course, I'm from North Carolina. That's the state where private companies make a fortune selling tobacco, but the state itself manages to fark up liquor: Some ABC stores lose money despite N.C.'s booze control

Biggest three problems? Corruption, theft, and over saturation of the marketplace. Good thing we won't have to worry about that with pot....

TrainingWheelsNeeded: raerae1980: GAT_00: cretinbob: tax the shiat out of it.

Don't do that. That won't stop private growers. Well, nothing will. But keeping the taxes low, like alcohol has, severely limits private creation. Pot legalization and taxation is a pretty decent unfunded revenue source, and there is no good reason not to do so. Oh, and since I always get called a pothead for saying things like that, so I'll go ahead and mention I've never smoked pot in my life.

You are missing out, man. You are missing out. I recently just tried some of the candy you can buy at the shops...Oh Nelly, fun times all around.

Just out of curiosity - how'd you get your card?

I don't have a card, yet. But I also don't need one right now, either. My friend hooks me up. He has a card. He simply went to his doctor and asked for one. Here's the amazing thing: If you go to Venice Beach, they have a clinic there that will sign you up for a card on the spot. They must have an in-house DR. or something. I don't know how they get away with it but it's awesome.

TrainingWheelsNeeded: raerae1980: GAT_00: cretinbob: tax the shiat out of it.

Don't do that. That won't stop private growers. Well, nothing will. But keeping the taxes low, like alcohol has, severely limits private creation. Pot legalization and taxation is a pretty decent unfunded revenue source, and there is no good reason not to do so. Oh, and since I always get called a pothead for saying things like that, so I'll go ahead and mention I've never smoked pot in my life.

You are missing out, man. You are missing out. I recently just tried some of the candy you can buy at the shops...Oh Nelly, fun times all around.

Just out of curiosity - how'd you get your card?

My cool story bro is: one call to Medicann to schedule an appointment. Go to appointment with year's worth of chiropractor's receipts. Say that I have not experienced any measurable relief in my lumbar region from the visits. Proclaim to Medicann that pot is the only thing that grants me even a brief respite from the pain. Walk out with recommendation.

It's already legal and taxed at the federal level...good luck getting a stamp though. Why does the Federal Government hate States' rights? Also, they already distribute medical marijuana.
(new window)

I understand now why my grandparents said it was the "good 'ol days" when they had miracle hair creams made out of pure heroin. *sigh*

Decriminalize all drugs.

No more taxes. Farking politicians have enough money.

How much would legal reefer cannibalize alcohol sales?

cretinbob: They valued the weed at $70k. A modest tax of say 10% would have placed $7k in the tax pool( you do your own math). But instead they'll probably end up spending $250k MINIMUM to prosecute these guys

Not to mention over 100K a year to incarcerate them, but hey. Gotta send a message to the children. Not to mention porkbarrel the privately owned prisons

vernonFL: fireclown: No government money in it. It's too easy to cultivate.

Not really. Good kind bud is not easy to cultivate.

Remember, the average American has trouble understanding a baking soda volcano.

I'm guessing you've never tried it - it's VERY easy, except for the overhead surveillance part. There are practically no pests (unless you grown indoors and don't know how to control things like white flies) and it requires only average soil; does need good light and regular water. You have to know how to tell the difference between the males and females (easy).

There won't be as much money made on the taxing deal because lots of money will be spent trying to catch the untaxed weed.

Harry Anslinger - hope its hot as hell for you asshole.

PumpUpDaFark, I liked the part in that movie where he smoked the weed...

fireclown: No government money in it. It's too easy to cultivate.

It's easy to grow mediocre plants, but growing really high quality weed takes a fair amount of work and attention.

Also, there are a lot of people who would just as soon buy it rather than grow it themselves. For instance:

1. Parents who like to smoke it on occasion, but don't want the plants in their house because of the kids.
2. People who live in small apartments.
3. People who only smoke once in a while. To many casual smokers (maybe once a month or less), it'd be so much more convenient to pick up a joint or two from the corner store rather than cultivate an entire plant.
4. People who don't want their houseguests to view them as "potsmokers". Even if it's legalized, it will take a long time for the stigma to go away, unfortunately.
5. People who like to try different strains and varieties but don't want multiple plants.

For me, I'd gladly buy it if joints were reasonably priced. For me, that would be no more than maybe $5/joint. Any more than that and I'd consider growing it myself.