Ask any person walking around San Francisco, let alone a college student, if they think marijuana should be legalized. Most will say yes. Some may cite recreational use without police interference, but many will point to the hope that the regulation and taxation of marijuana would create a new tax source from which the state could benefit.
Though medical marijuana is federally illegal, it has been legal in California since 1995, with hundreds of dispensaries across the state today. It has been taxed since 2005 as any other legal commodity in the state, but established growers of medical marijuana worry that new legalized growers will interfere with their business.
Politicians in favor of Prop 19 argue that all this income to the state will come as a result of regulation and taxation. None of the people in office, however, have given any suggestion for how that will be done. This is probably it is a nearly impossible task. A clear method for collecting taxes and enforcing regulation should be established before the bill is passed.
What makes the government think that people who have successfully hidden growth and distribution for so many years will suddenly come out of the woodwork and willingly hand over a portion of their profits to the state? Taxed growers would make far fewer earnings than those who remain underground, thus negating the motivation for growers to subject themselves to regulation and taxation. If the plant becomes legal in November, the free market price would plummet over $250 to only $38 an ounce, which is great for buyers but incomprehensible for growers.
The only thing taxation would do is inspire massive tax evasion by people who are good at hiding. No one will choose to pay a tax on a product that is so lucrative for those who manage to conceal their growing operations. Besides, Prop 19 doesn’t even require the state to tax marijuana; it simply gives local governments the opportunity to decide their own rates for regulation and taxation, which is a public-policy nightmare.
On Oct. 1, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1449 that changed possession of less than an ounce of pot from a misdemeanor to an infraction. Though the fine remains $100, it effectively decriminalized weed in California. This has already begun to drastically reduce the amount of people in jail for marijuana-related offenses and the amount of taxpayer dollars spent keeping them there (Trans World News). Many proponents of legalization argue that harmless pot smokers soak up our taxpayer dollars in jail, and yet this bill already benefits the state’s pocketbook without the moral issues that inevitably come into play when discussing legalization.
Schwarzenegger says, “Proposition 19 is a deeply flawed measure that, if passed, will adversely impact California’s businesses without bringing in the tax revenues to the state promised by its proponents.” Even if Proposition 19 passes in November, the Supreme Court is expected to rule on it. From an economic standpoint, California should put off the legalization of marijuana for recreational use as long as possible.
Ashby Conwell is a sophomore sociology major
Editor-in-Chief: Heather Spellacy
Chief Copy-Editor: Burke McSwain
Opinion Editor: Laura Waldron
Hi, after reading this awesome piece of writing i am as well cheerful to share my knowledge here with friends.
Help me to find the, cheap cigarettes [url=http://cheapcigarettest.weebly.com#1]cheap cigarettes[/url], ijjf,
Thanks for your article about Proposition 19. Medicalassistantedu.org
praca kierowca polska biedronka
Can I simply say what a comfort to uncover someone who truly understands what they’re talking about
over the internet. You certainly know how to bring a problem to light
and make it important. More and more people really need to read this and understand this side
of your story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular since you surely possess the gift.
Hello this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or
if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon
but have no coding skills so I wanted to get
guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
شاهد اجمل فيديو العاب كراش , كراش , crash bash , تحميل لعبة كراش
Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate
a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get anything
done.
A motivating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought to write more about this subject, it may not be
a taboo matter but usually people don’t speak about these topics.
To the next! Kind regards!!
Combine the pineapple, sugar, and butter, and mix well.
Is it money, or the hours you work or the area you live in.
Sponsors have to boost their brands’ recognition and appeal.
Hi there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new
iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Keep up the great work!
I love what you guys are usually up too. Such clever work and coverage!
Keep up the very good works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.
cheap michael kors bags Items will be shipped by carrier of our choice generally on the
same or next working day of receiving full payment.
We ship Monday Friday and are closed on the weekends.
If your order comes in over the weekend or late Friday after our pickup, the first it will ship is Monday (Which would be less than one business day).
But you can’t do it simply by eating a healthy diet, Oreven by becoming a all-vegetable.
Linda McCartney,The late wife of Paul McCartney would have been a life longvegetarian, Who basically campaigned for vegetarianism,But also wrote a book on
vegetarian cooking andproduced a line of frozen all-vegetable meals.
but yet,Despite her well balanced eating, She died of breast cancerat age of 56.
There are many different categories of subjects that people would like
to try. You choose what videos you want to make by first deciding your niche.
from then on, You start creating your articles, He has essentially diverted it.
it becomes clear that this impacts other land down stream and may have other ecological/environmental impact.
utilizing you cannot do this without a permit.
Australia is one of the civilized world, Where people in love with stylish
and popular models of cars. unsurprisingly, A great number of
dazzlin. Now why to buy a truck? Used cars are available at the extreme sensible, A lower bass still works pretty well and you can feel it,
But I’m a person who REALLY likes to feel it. I guess have a look at that though, you make payment for for a more expensive system.
Good for the actual though, Billabong can be
a public corporation seems on the Melbourne stock
market. There’re largely a attire model, Whilst they have
obtained all the other firms that make other products and solutions.
The Cole Haan Birmingham sand wedges are a wonderful decision
to grab to the doing work skilled in search of an excellent
early spring footwear. they can’t chew or tear at
the bed just sleep on it. I am disappointed to say the least.
They seem to love the bed and it definitely seems to
be comfy, But one of my Labs is a senior and
I bought this bed because I wanted him to create a good support under him.
http://www.ezycook.com/?key=Cheap+Michael+Kors+On+Sale
Colored denim is making a big policy! A pair of fitted jeans that are splashed with a bright or pastel color is a fun way to change up the average casual look.
Colored denim can be styled with a very easy, Girly
blouse or graphic tee to create a look as laid back or as dressy as you make it.
Express in Oakland Mall sells skinny jeans in a wide variety of colors and prints that look stylish
for the season, The trend is also absorbing the newsstand.
Jada Pinkett bush, 41, Wore printed out Helmut
Lang shorts on Redbook’s July cover; Rebecca Romijn, 40, Donned green erika Kors for the magazine’s
August front. Kerry miami, 36, Braved image Marc Jacobs briefs for Elle’s
June cover and Levi’s cutoffs inside, even if for July, Shakira, 36,
pulled on shiny, black, Lace clipped shorts from Diane von Furstenberg,
There is even a Record Store Day April 18 devised as a way to support by
yourself owned American stores with special releases
and performances. The only area of record retail that seems to do OK,
Even progressing, is employed vinyl, specially the highend, Boutique sector catering to collectors willing to pay good money and who are still addicted to the thrill of the hunt and the random finds that you don get from eBay or Gemm.
But that only serves to reinforce the grim truth:
the forthcoming of the record store lies in music
past,
Very well expressed without a doubt. .
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme
in our community. Your web site offered us with
helpful info to work on. You’ve done a formidable process and our
whole community will likely be thankful to you.