California and Marijuana

**Prince** · 02-24-2009, 09:15 AM

California and Marijuana

Ammiano Bill to Tax and Regulate Marijuana Would Raise Over $1 Billion for State

San Francisco, February 23 - Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-SF) announced the introduction of a landmark bill to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol and tobacco at a press conference today.

The bill would save the state's taxpayers over $1 billion, according to an economic analysis by California NORML, with additional economic benefits of $12 –18 billion. "This bill is a winning proposition for California's taxpayers," says California NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer, a sponsor of the bill. "In this time of economic crisis, it makes no sense for California to be wasting money on marijuana prohibition, when we could be reaping tax benefits from a legal, regulated market instead."

The bill would provide for licensed producers and distributors, who could sell to adults over 21. Producers would pay an excise tax of $50 per ounce, or about $1 per joint. Sales taxes would generate additional revenues, bringing total tax revenues to $1 billion. Additional economic benefits would be generated in the form of employment, business and payroll taxes and spin-off industries, like the wine industry, amounting to some $12 - $18 billion.

Last but not least, the bill would save the state $170 million in costs for arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of marijuana offenders. The result would be to eliminate such prohibition-related problems as black market dealers and smugglers, grow houses, and pirate gardeners on public lands. The bill would not alter California's medical marijuana law, which allows patients, caregivers and collectives to grow medicine for themselves.

Ammiano's bill is the first of its kind since California outlawed cannabis in 1913. Only after being prohibited did marijuana become widely popular, eventually being enjoyed by millions of Californians. Due to soaring enforcement costs, the legislature decriminalized possession of small quantities in the Moscone Act of 1975, saving the state's taxpayers $100 million per year.

However, production and distribution remained illegal, leading to continued prohibition-related enforcement costs. Last year, agents eradicated a record 5 million illegal plants, up more than tenfold in five years. Marijuana arrests jumped to 74,119 in 2007, their highest level since the Moscone Act. California has over 1,500 inmates in state prison for marijuana offenses, ten times as many as in 1980. Marijuana is reported to account for 61% of the illicit drug traffic from Mexico, where prohibition-related violence has killed over 6,800.

"Tom Ammiano deserves credit for recognizing that legal taxation and regulation is the only solution to California's marijuana problem," says Gieringer. "Marijuana users would happily pay taxes to buy it legally." California NORML also thanks former Sen. John Vasconcellos for providing the original draft of this legislation.

Recent polls indicate that public support for legal marijuana is growing. A new Zogby poll found 44% of American voters support taxing and regulating marijuana, with support as high as 58% in western states.

**ROID** · 02-24-2009, 09:42 AM

Are they going to vote on this or is it just a proposal ?

**IronAddict** · 02-24-2009, 09:49 AM

Sounds like a rational thought from a politician, wait a second there's an oxymoron for ya!

Leave it up to those hippies in Cali. to come up with this gem of an idea. This is a great way to bring the State an influx of revenue, and a tax a lot of people wouldn't mind paying. We're finally growing up in this State, hopefully it will breed a similar reaction to the rest of the States. Of, course every State can make their own laws, but this should be one of them.

The Incrimination of pot smokers was an abomination of justice. The dealers, now that was a different situation. But, now you eliminate that too!

**ROID** · 02-24-2009, 09:57 AM

5 years ago I got caught with some crumbs in the corner of a bag. Damn near microscopic and it cost me around $1800 and my job.

If Cali. passed such a law it would take around 15 yrs. for even a similar bill to even be considered in Alabama. Hell we still have dry counties here.

**IronAddict** · 02-24-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by ROID

5 years ago I got caught with some crumbs in the corner of a bag. Damn near microscopic and it cost me around $1800 and my job.

If Cali. passed such a law it would take around 15 yrs. for even a similar bill to even be considered in Alabama. Hell we still have dry counties here.

Man, that was harsh!

Hopefully those draconian laws will soon be coming to an end.

**ROID** · 02-24-2009, 10:16 AM

Small town nonsense. The reason the fine was so high was because I got the charged reduced to a non drug/alcohol offense which over turned the suspension on my license but I still had to pay $300 to get my license back.
So.....

$1800 - fine
$1500 - Attorney
$300 - license
$ 85 - impound

My name in the local newspaper - PRICELESS

**IronAddict** · 02-24-2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by ROID

Are they going to vote on this or is it just a proposal ?

Me thinks this is just a proposal, but I gotta say, this has me a little worried because it makes way too much sense.

**Big Smoothy** · 02-24-2009, 10:57 AM

I don't smoke pot.

It's not for me. But for people that want to use it, that's fine.

Alcohol is worse. Far worse.

Look at the domestic violence, assaults (bars, clubs) DUIs, loss of jobs, date rape.

Marijuana? Who cares?

The US Government started a propaganda campaign in the 1930s with the "Reefer madness" films and other films.

Propaganda.

Decriminalize it.

But wait....the gov can make $$$$ on this....even more of a motivation.

Bullsh$t.

**KelJu** · 02-24-2009, 11:18 AM

I will be moving to the first state that makes it legal and easy for me to smoke pot.

**min0 lee** · 02-24-2009, 11:33 AM

I wonder if this hurts the DEA a little.

**min0 lee** · 02-24-2009, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by KelJu

I will be moving to the first state that makes it legal and easy for me to smoke pot.

Please move out!!!!

I can see you living in California...well certain parts like where the hippies live.

**IronAddict** · 02-24-2009, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Please move out!!!!

I can see you living in California...well certain parts like where the hippies live.

He can be my neighbor!

And Kelju, I promise not to break into your house when you're at work.

**KelJu** · 02-24-2009, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

I wonder if this hurts the DEA a little.

I fucking hate the DEA. There are some real scumbags working for them. The ATF has their fair share of scumbags, too.

**maniclion** · 02-24-2009, 12:33 PM

A certain assemblyman is going to be getting a piss test soon.....also he is going to be the target of some guys who have been making a lucrative profit from the illegal sales of the stuff or we are going to start seeing some tattooed lobbyists trying to kill this bill.....

**Prince** · 02-24-2009, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by KelJu

I will be moving to the first state that makes it legal and easy for me to smoke pot.

Denver voters already approved a ordinance making possession of small amounts of marijuana the lowest level priority for law enforcement.

**min0 lee** · 02-24-2009, 12:52 PM

Why is Marijuana Illegal?

**IronAddict** · 02-24-2009, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Why is Marijuana Illegal?

Nice Min0!

**min0 lee** · 02-24-2009, 01:13 PM

This what the NYC skyline would look like.

**IronAddict** · 02-24-2009, 01:21 PM

The only person in the world that could've made that picture funny.

**Prince** · 02-24-2009, 01:27 PM

its only a matter of time before its legalized.

**IronAddict** · 02-24-2009, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by Prince

its only a matter of time before its legalized.

You know, somehow I think this Cal. legislature is gonna phuq this up. we'll see.

**maniclion** · 02-24-2009, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Why is Marijuana Illegal?

All of that had a huge impact on Richard Milhous Nixon, when the Shafer Commission had determined that the use of marijuana was no worse than the social use of alcohol....."the use of drugs for pleasure or other non-medical purposes is not inherently irresponsible; alcohol is widely used as an acceptable part of social activities"(direct quote from commission)...
Yet with all of those professionals and experts agreeing that prohibition was unconstitutional Nixon held to his vendetta against the commie hippie perception of Reefer causing pacifism and liberalism. Basically he blamed it for all the long-haired miscreants that plagued him and made his continuation of the Vietnam war look so bad......

**PainandGain** · 02-24-2009, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Prince

its only a matter of time before its legalized.

I remember, back when the primaries for the election first started, thinking
if Obama wins, marijuana will be decriminalized in his first term for medical use only.
And if he got a 2nd term, that it would be legalized.

I hope this is the first pebble in a landslide.

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