cannabisnews.com: Taxing Pot Could Become a Political Toking Point





Taxing Pot Could Become a Political Toking Point
Posted by CN Staff on February 23, 2009 at 17:57:42 PT
By Eric Bailey 
Source: Los Angeles Times
Reporting from Sacramento -- Could Cannabis sativa be a salvation for California's fiscal misfortunes? Can the state get a better budget grip by taxing what some folks toke?An assemblyman from San Francisco announced legislation Monday to do just that: make California the first state in the nation to tax and regulate recreational marijuana in the same manner as alcohol.
Buoyed by the widely held belief that cannabis is California's biggest cash crop, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano contends it is time to reap some state revenue from that harvest while putting a damper on drug use by teens, cutting police costs and even helping Mother Nature."I know the jokes are going to be coming, but this is not a frivolous issue," said Ammiano, a Democrat elected in November after more than a dozen years as a San Francisco supervisor. "California always takes the lead -- on gay marriage, the sanctuary movement, medical marijuana."Anti-drug groups are anything but amused by the idea of California collecting a windfall from the leafy herb that remains illegal under federal law."This would open another door in Pandora's box," said Calvina Fay, executive director of Save Our Society From Drugs. "Legalizing drugs like this would create a whole new set of costs for society."Ammiano's measure, AB 390, would essentially replicate the regulatory structure used for beer, wine and hard liquor, with taxed sales barred to anyone under 21.He said it would actually boost public safety, keeping law enforcement focused on more serious crimes while keeping marijuana away from teenagers who can readily purchase black-market pot from peers.The natural world would benefit, too, from the uprooting of environmentally destructive backcountry pot plantations that denude fragile ecosystems, Ammiano said.But the biggest boon might be to the bottom line. By some estimates, California's pot crop is a $14-billion industry, putting it above vegetables ($5.7 billion) and grapes ($2.6 billion). If so, that could mean upward of $1 billion in tax revenue for the state each year."Having just closed a $42-billion budget deficit, generating new revenue is crucial to the state's long-term fiscal health," said Betty Yee, the state Board of Equalization chairwoman who appeared with Ammiano at a San Francisco news conference.Also in support of opening debate on the issue are San Francisco Sheriff Mike Hennessey and retired Orange County Superior Court Judge James Gray, a longtime legalization proponent."I'm a martini guy myself," Ammiano said. "But I think it's time for California to . . . look at this in a truly deliberative fashion."He sees the possibility of an eventual truce in the marijuana wars with Barack Obama now in the White House.A White House spokesman declined to discuss Ammiano's legislation, instead pointing to a transition website that says the president "is not in favor of the legalization of marijuana."Several cities in California and around the nation have adopted laws making marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority, including Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Denver and Seattle. Oakland went even further in 2004, requiring pot to be taxed if it is legalized.But where Ammiano sees taxes, pot foes see trouble.They say easier access means more problems with drug dependency among adults, heavier teen use and an increase in driving while high."If we think the drug cartels are going to tuck their tails between their legs and go home, I think we're badly mistaken," Fay said. "They're going to heavily target our children."Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)Author:   Eric Bailey Published: February 24, 2009Copyright: 2009 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/QN2Q24sWRelated Article:Bill Would Legalize, Tax Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24510.shtml
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on February 25, 2009 at 05:18:49 PT
Paint with light 
I thought Obama's speech was great last night. He sure isn't afraid of speaking his mind. Isms bother me. Every ism has good and bad in it. We should learn from history and use only the good part of isms I think.
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Comment #26 posted by Paint with light on February 24, 2009 at 21:51:18 PT
comment 17
FoM, I agree both on the isms and the need to change the Federal law. I appreciate the battles the individual states are waging but the overriding blockages are Federal laws and regulations. There's no way to stop progress now. It is just a matter of how quick can things change....And how many more victims have to suffer in the meantime.Congrats on the stats.It was another good talk by Obama tonight.I belive we have a chance for some good honest debate on cannabis in the near future.I hope he attacks it in the 'appoint a panel, gather the facts, and ignore the rhetoric', style he seems to be adopting. We may be surprised by how things can change. Of course I am usually an optimist.At least, make it equal with alcohol as a start.
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Comment #25 posted by Hope on February 24, 2009 at 10:09:44 PT
"send us right into the weeds"
I've never heard anyone say anything like that before. Is it a localized expression, somewhere, or what?
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on February 24, 2009 at 08:59:44 PT
GeoChemist
We are seeing the end of an era and now we will start all over again. Being afraid won't change the fact that we need to see it for what it is, grieve for what we think we will lose, and plan on a new day to dawn with anticipation.
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Comment #23 posted by GeoChemist on February 24, 2009 at 08:49:41 PT
FoM
You are right, there is no room for fear. people are becoming wise to their fear-mongering. I think there was a silver lining to the Bush regime in the facy he ruined it for his party.
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on February 24, 2009 at 08:21:30 PT
GeoChemist
I turn off fear in every aspect of my life. Fear controls. Laughter liberates. Most conservatives don't seem to laugh very much. 
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Comment #21 posted by GeoChemist on February 24, 2009 at 08:16:00 PT
FoM
Well, republicians love fear-mongering to achieve their ends. History tells us how the Nazi regime used fear-mongering, i.e. "to protect the fatherland from the Polish threat". Sound familiar? When you see one of these morons in real-time, confront them in a professional manner and it will become immediatley clear who is full of __it.
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on February 24, 2009 at 08:05:33 PT
GeoChemist
What bothers me is Republicans tossing fear around like yesterday in this article.***Excerpt: At another point, Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., noted that on health care "there are some words that send us right into the weeds in the debate.""Socialized medicine?" a chuckling Obama interjected, prompting yet another round of laughter. "Was that one of them?"***Obama Uses Humor at White House Summithttp://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gunNep6KibJweMVtOUQCuU-UQJngD96HVQRG2
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Comment #19 posted by GeoChemist on February 24, 2009 at 07:52:33 PT
Isms
Like it or not, and believe me I don't, "isms" are a part of this country. Fascists are everywhere with their perceived moral authority; "we know what's best for people better than they do". When a pro-lifer is in the quad pushing their morals on the student populace, I take it upon myself to point out his/her lack of moral authority and that all Americans have a right to choose. these people don't like it when you point that out to them. Most of those against the legalization of cannabis for whatever use, whether it be medicinal or recreational are nothing more than fascist. Fascists are a cancer needing immediate removal.
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on February 24, 2009 at 05:19:44 PT
gloovins 
It's 7 right now but the house is warm and the coffee is good. Spring is just around the corner and we're doing fine. I hope you are too.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on February 24, 2009 at 05:17:57 PT
About Isms
I don't like when we put isms into our ideas. The reason why is if you look at our country we are a little bit of every ism mentioned and isms cause division. We need in my opinion to get on with it and fix the great divide in our country. I want the Federal law changed so that repressed southern states will be helped too. We could change the laws state by state which is good but too many will suffer under ancient beliefs if we don't pull together. I love the whole United States of America. When my husband and I were on the road it was interesting to see how different we are but we really have a shared sense of values.
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on February 24, 2009 at 04:04:13 PT
Comment 14 Knightsmanx... Busybodies
"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good
of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live
under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies.
The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may
at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good
will torment us without end for they do so with the approval
of their own conscience." C. S. Lewis
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Comment #15 posted by GeoChemist on February 24, 2009 at 03:37:56 PT
Knightsmanx
What you are talking about is fascism, not to be confused with Nazism. According to Lawrence Britt there are 14 defining characteristics of a fascist regime. See link below and think about the Bush atrocities while reading it.
http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/fasci14chars.html
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Comment #14 posted by knightsmanx on February 24, 2009 at 02:50:33 PT:
....
I just don't know what to say about all the ignorant people out there, along with the others that think their way is the best way... It just seems like their all nosy little... busybodies... that try to force their beliefs onto you even after you told them to GO AWAY... I mean seriously... do we really NEED these people that try to go against what EVERYONE else wants? Even if it's not everyone else, it's a majority, and last time I checked, this country ran off of the people... and the majority wins. Why not make things that states are trying to legalize legal at a federal level? And just have the states decide, and when they do, have the fed's help the states in enforcing the laws that used to be federal? With punishments dependent on how many states have it legal to non-legal, so that like one state can't just make something illegal and force you to like 10 years in prison, if say every other state has made that action legal... Just seems like as the years go on, the people just have less and less power over the government which they are supposed to have full power over...
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Comment #13 posted by gloovins on February 24, 2009 at 00:18:00 PT
Yep Yep Yep...
It's getting harder & harder to defend the legality of booze, tobacco & firearms & not our cannabis plant with 25,000+ different uses that's safer than aspirin & tylenol. Hi FoM by the way -- hope you are doing good there with all 'n everything in the OH neck of the US. I know its been cold there but spring is around the corner just remember...;)With good vibes from the west coast SoCali...stay well all...:)
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Comment #12 posted by John Tyler on February 23, 2009 at 22:01:56 PT
bring it on
Whether this legislative bill passes at this time or not it puts immediate pressure on the Feds. They will say that they are just enforcing the laws, blah, blah, blah, but it will jerk the rug out from under them. Why should local cops help the Feds bust someone if it is legal at the state level? There would be no “upside” for them. There are not enough Feds alone to make prohibition stick. In California there doesn’t seem to be enough locals or Feds combined to make prohibition stick. We are past the tipping point now and I think we are beginning to see how prohibition will end. With an unfortunate economic downturn and a desperate need for more revenue and employment, prohibition is an expensive luxury that will have to be eliminated. When even naysayers are talking about taxing and regulation now, the deal is done and they are just haggling over the price.
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Comment #11 posted by Had Enough on February 23, 2009 at 21:06:01 PT
re: GCW #9 Calvina
Calvina Fay is nothing more than a black-hearted self proclaimed ‘Drug Policy Expert’ who has an agenda and makes her living off of ‘Drug Wars”The kids would be better off without her…so would the rest of the ‘Free World'Once again…this one goes out to Calvina and all the other D.A.R.E. crazed ilk…Pink Floydhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_bvT-DGcWw&feature=relatedCartoon Versionhttp://vodpod.com/watch/199767-pink-floyd-another-brick-in-the-wallcartoon-version
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Comment #10 posted by fight_4_freedom on February 23, 2009 at 20:46:32 PT
A CBS 5 news report from San Francisco
Judge Jim Grey comments on the bill during the report.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwTH4gwcZtY
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Comment #9 posted by The GCW on February 23, 2009 at 19:43:37 PT
Fay the ringleader.
Is it just Me or does Fay sound like a ringleader working for the drug gangs who stand to lose profits if cannabis is re-legalized.Take Her away.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on February 23, 2009 at 19:07:33 PT
mydnytmover
If we can get a little TV news coverage it would make it even better. That will be hard because of the need to try to fix the economy though. No matter what we are moving forward.
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Comment #7 posted by mydnytmover on February 23, 2009 at 18:58:03 PT
FoM 
It sure is !!
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on February 23, 2009 at 18:51:12 PT
mydnytmover 
It's great isn't it! 
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Comment #5 posted by mydnytmover on February 23, 2009 at 18:42:40 PT
Comments
So many positive comments after these articles, The comments by the anti pot people are so stupid and lame it blows my mind.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 23, 2009 at 18:36:48 PT
mydnytmover
It seems we are picking up some steam. 
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Comment #3 posted by mydnytmover on February 23, 2009 at 18:30:12 PT
USA Today article
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/02/calif-lawmaker.html?csp=34Things sure seem to be changing.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 23, 2009 at 18:19:28 PT
One More Comment
Excerpt: A White House spokesman declined to discuss Ammiano's legislation, instead pointing to a transition website that says the president "is not in favor of the legalization of marijuana."My Opinion: If President Obama would have said he was for legalization of marijuana he would have been attacked. If the question would have been for adults not minors he might have answered it differently. General type questions often get a yes or a no. 
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 23, 2009 at 18:04:23 PT
Just a Comment
My opinion: If there is an age restriction of 21 it will be easier to find someone who would try to sell to a minor. Just like it is with tobacco and alcohol.***Excerpt: "If we think the drug cartels are going to tuck their tails between their legs and go home, I think we're badly mistaken," Fay said. "They're going to heavily target our children."
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