California Eyes Tax Revenue From Legalizing Pot

[Ganjarden]

The state of California is on the brink of economic collapse these days, and Democratic assemblyman Tom Ammiano wants to legalize marijuana to get the state’s hands on revenue from its sale. Ammiano recently introduced the Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act (AB 390) that will legalize pot for users over-21 years of age, the same way alcohol is regulated. Since pot is already the state’s biggest cash crop, grown for medical use, additional revenue from the retail sale of marijuana could fill up the state’s now empty coffers.

California always seems to lead the way when it comes to cultural changes. In 1996, it was the first state to legalize pot for medical use. Law enforcement officials have long believed, perhaps more so in these bad economic times with strained resources, that spending time and money chasing down pot smokers is a waste of police resources.

Critics of the United State’s drug policies are taking hope, from the new Obama administration that our country’s harsh treatment towards criminalizing pot smokers may soon change. Recently, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the federal government would stop raiding California medical marijuana facilities.

If ever there was a positive climate to push for legalizing the sale of marijuana, it is now, with bankrupt states scrambling to find additional sources of revenue and a softening of federal policy towards its criminalization. Stay tuned for updates to the progress of Ammiano’s marijuana legalization bill as it makes it way through the state legislature.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: ChattahBox
Author: Sue
Contact: ChattahBox
Copyright: 2009 ChattahBox
Website: California Eyes Tax Revenue From Legalizing Pot

[User]

personally i don't feel like use in pubic should be an issue for us right now. lets move ahead with what we can. eventually when the rest of the mainstream sees that the sky doesn't fall then the rest of the changes we seek will be so much easier to make.

common courtesy by users and non-users would be a good alternative. if a person, user or not, feels the need for space then they should just go find it.

[pcmoe5000]

From what I have read fines for drinking in public can be from 150.00 to a 1000.00$$$ in California. Im shure if they ever decided to make it legal they would have Coffie shops like bars where you can only drink/smoke inside. I totaly would like to light one up on the beach and not have to worry about getting in trouble tho that would be nice. Prohibition STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tricome]

I have heard that even in Amsterdam you can only smoke in coffee shops or private homes, and you may be ticketed for smoking on the street.