Green Cross
Well-Known Member
Published On: 07/20/2009
Marijuana could bring California some relief
Email: opinion@uabkscope.com
Currently, California is in a financial bind as they try to resolve their massive budget issues and reduce their $26 billion deficit.
California has even had to issue IOUs to businesses and others set to receive state money.
With state parks, social programs, and public schools expecting to lose funding over the next year, lawmakers have been scrambling to find ways to save and make money for the state.
The budget for the rest of 2009 and for 2010 in California is being debated as I write this article, and hopefully it will be resolved soon.
But as the budget debate seems to be coming to a close, talk of legalizing marijuana in order to alleviate some of the deficit has come to the forefront.
On February 23, 2009 Tom Ammiano, a member of the California State Assembly, introduced legislation that would regulate and tax Californias biggest cash crop, marijuana.
Current annual sales of marijuana average $14 billion, twice that of Californias largest legal agricultural business, the dairy industry, which averages about $7 billion annually.
The bill, introduced by Ammiano, is called the Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act.
It would give California control of marijuana that would be comparable to alcohol. In order for anyone to grow, sale, or buy marijuana they must be at least 21 years of age.
Even though marijuana can be bought and sold for medical purposes, California still has many laws against marijuana that cost California taxpayers billions every year.
It is projected that approximately $1.3 billion could be collected each year in revenues, while $1.7 billion in enforcement could be saved.
Altogether, thats about $3 billion that could be shaved off the budget deficit.
Some wonder if marijuana would still be illegal at the federal level, even if California legalized it for their state.
It would still be illegal, but Ammiano and others hope that the Obama administration will ease federal enforcemen, since it is clear that federal enforcement is expensive and does not do much to curb marijuana sales and consumption.
Since Obama has been in office, the new Attorney General Eric Holder has issued an edict stating that no more raids can be made on medical marijuana dispensaries in California.
This is a huge success for medical marijuana distributors in California, giving hope to people interested in moving forward with the full legalization of marijuana.
Raids by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, or the DEA, have been a notable point of conflict in California since the sale of medical marijuana has been approved.
During the Bush administration, the DEA has been allowed to raid and seize medical marijuana from dispensaries, hurting small-business owners.
Overall, it is becoming more obvious that marijuana is a potential source of revenue for city and state governments.
It is also becoming more clear, especially as more people discuss it, that marijuana is actually less harmful than alcohol and tobacco (not to mention legal prescription drugs which seem to be debilitating people more than any of the aforementioned drugs).
The Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act might not pass this summer or this year, but it is something that is gaining momentum.
Perhaps California can resolve their current budget dilemmas and use marijuana sales and regulation in the future to boost their economy.
Link to story
Marijuana could bring California some relief
Email: opinion@uabkscope.com
Currently, California is in a financial bind as they try to resolve their massive budget issues and reduce their $26 billion deficit.
California has even had to issue IOUs to businesses and others set to receive state money.
With state parks, social programs, and public schools expecting to lose funding over the next year, lawmakers have been scrambling to find ways to save and make money for the state.
The budget for the rest of 2009 and for 2010 in California is being debated as I write this article, and hopefully it will be resolved soon.
But as the budget debate seems to be coming to a close, talk of legalizing marijuana in order to alleviate some of the deficit has come to the forefront.
On February 23, 2009 Tom Ammiano, a member of the California State Assembly, introduced legislation that would regulate and tax Californias biggest cash crop, marijuana.
Current annual sales of marijuana average $14 billion, twice that of Californias largest legal agricultural business, the dairy industry, which averages about $7 billion annually.
The bill, introduced by Ammiano, is called the Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act.
It would give California control of marijuana that would be comparable to alcohol. In order for anyone to grow, sale, or buy marijuana they must be at least 21 years of age.
Even though marijuana can be bought and sold for medical purposes, California still has many laws against marijuana that cost California taxpayers billions every year.
It is projected that approximately $1.3 billion could be collected each year in revenues, while $1.7 billion in enforcement could be saved.
Altogether, thats about $3 billion that could be shaved off the budget deficit.
Some wonder if marijuana would still be illegal at the federal level, even if California legalized it for their state.
It would still be illegal, but Ammiano and others hope that the Obama administration will ease federal enforcemen, since it is clear that federal enforcement is expensive and does not do much to curb marijuana sales and consumption.
Since Obama has been in office, the new Attorney General Eric Holder has issued an edict stating that no more raids can be made on medical marijuana dispensaries in California.
This is a huge success for medical marijuana distributors in California, giving hope to people interested in moving forward with the full legalization of marijuana.
Raids by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, or the DEA, have been a notable point of conflict in California since the sale of medical marijuana has been approved.
During the Bush administration, the DEA has been allowed to raid and seize medical marijuana from dispensaries, hurting small-business owners.
Overall, it is becoming more obvious that marijuana is a potential source of revenue for city and state governments.
It is also becoming more clear, especially as more people discuss it, that marijuana is actually less harmful than alcohol and tobacco (not to mention legal prescription drugs which seem to be debilitating people more than any of the aforementioned drugs).
The Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act might not pass this summer or this year, but it is something that is gaining momentum.
Perhaps California can resolve their current budget dilemmas and use marijuana sales and regulation in the future to boost their economy.
Link to story
