I didn't say income tax, it is VAT (value added tax). People who sell pot, buy car, they pay 14% tax on the price. They build a house, they pay 14% tax, they eat at a restaurant, they pay 14% tax, they buy clothes, they pay 14% tax. Also those business owners who sell these products, have employee that pay income tax, corporation pay tax on their income. I am sure if some one really calculate all the taxes, government probably is collecting 30%-40% tax on illegal revenue of pot production.
Could you imagine the consequences of such? Millions of americans hooked on tobacco going to the inner city to find their next hand rolled tobacco cigarette, I almost shudder to think of the possibilities. It may be fun to watch though as I may be one of those trying to find my tobacco instead of in my friendly neighborhood gas station as I do now, in some back alley
Kind of like when you visit Salt Lake City and have to drive for about 5 miles to find a gas station that actually is not Mormon owned and sells cigarettes and coffee
Actually, the gas stations that sell cigs, most of them are Mormon owned as well, just by "bad Mormons"
Dude, let's not go there (or I'd have some serious stories to tell and get the Mormon Mafia to come after me )
I wish I could get the truth out of either side on the subject of hemp. It seems that the ones pushing for hemp are dead head pot smokers who really have overdone it, so it makes it hard for me to really believe the info on hemp. It appears hemp has many great qualities for producing the raw materials that we currently have to use oil for in many or most instances and since oil companies are big with a lot of control over the gov'ts of the world it also makes the hemp stance seem more viable. I just have a really hard time take any extremists information as true since they want to only tell you what sells their point of view. I also don't suggest smoking marijuana because it is bad for you in many ways, but I think it is a waste of money to jail those who are caught in possession of some. (dealers on the other hand I could care less if they are in jail.)
I agree with you in much of what you stated, there are extremes on both sides of the coin just in anything debated. How however do you think it's 'bad for you', plus I have to point out many things are bad for you including soda, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, cheese, undercooked meat, etc, I don't smoke it, I'm just debating the merits of the ban in my opinion based on stories I have read, studies and other published reports. I used to be one of the people who believed everything the government stated which would equate me to once being an anti pot person, even though I didn't think the government should tell it's citizens what to do. Now with the internet though it's much easier to research a subject like this, and not rely on catchy news headlines and anti drug commercials. Great point, maybe the poll should have listed Industrial hemp, possibly even Medical use as well.
Tbh, I say legalise it. Side effects and stuff aside...It would make it less of a big deal if it was legalised. Please excuse my shit debating and discussion skills..but, in Holland you can easily buy weed, mushrooms, herbal E, and other assortments of drugs in shops. In England, well at least where I'm from, smoking weed is done alot. Kids just sit on the street getting stoned all the time. I think one of the reasons is because it's illegal. In Holland, (Amsterdam aside, because it's full of tourists that have greened out outside the coffeeshops lol) but on the whole, I actually don't know that many people that get stoned often, if at all. Most of the Dutch people i've spoken to and asked about this - haven't even tried a joint in their life. Why? Well, I think it's because if you are around it day in and day out, it's just normal. The novelty wears off fast. It's like when you're 15 and love going clubbing because it's a thrill when you get in underage, But once you hit 18 and you can readily show ID should you be asked, you don't get the same feeling from it. I don't know if I'm making any sense at all ha ha but it makes sense in my head which is all that matters.
Excellent post, especially coming from someone who lives in the few places where it is tolerated Thank you for your opinion, I realy appreciate it and enjoyed the read.
This is like the National Geographic Effect. The women in those small African villages walk around without shirts on so everyone grows up seeing breasts all the time so it's not a big deal. Meanwhile here you have part of a breast exposed on TV and the country goes crazy.
Why do people argue if it should be legal or illegal, it's not like it would make a difference cuz it will be smoked non the less. In Canada atleast it's a joke if you get booked with it. Not sure about the states but come'on I am sure they dont chop of balls for having a couple of grams. Once again this brings me back to the 'who cares' point because you can take simple steps not to get caught such as not drive around smoking which can lead to a possible cop check. I am assuming many people here dont smoke in parks, but if you do almost no body cares as long as you dont yell and wake up houses and if somebody calls cops which is rare, just finish it and its all good. So why do people care if its legal or not, it dont stop anybody from smoking it.
#1 In the US you can actually serve some serious time, it is also 'i'm almost positive' the most prosecuted crime within the US besides maybe speeding tickets. #2 We have a thing called the US constitution which many believe protects rights such as this If it was like it was in Canada there probally would not be such a debate.