Friday, March 6, 2009
We do it anyway!
I just read Daniels blog on taxing weed. He stated that he agreed with the legalizing of marijuana with taxation on the profits, in hopes to get our state out of the financial slump it’s in. I absolutely agree. Legalizing marijuana could provide considerable amounts of revenue for California. There would have to be great efforts in order sustain a balanced regulation, which everyone could adhere to. This brings the Netherlands to attention. Marijuana in Holland is not legal; it's decriminalized, and comes with rigid guidelines and regulations. Here are some examples: You are allowed to grow a certain amount of plants in your home for personal use or for profit. The process to grow them is regulated and you are only allowed to harvest a certain amount for personal use. You have to grow them in a shed outside, or in your attic or basement. All profits must be reported and are taxed. Shops sell pot and hash and store owners pay their pot taxes. Holland is one of the richest countries in the world. They tax marijuana and prostitution which is also regulated under very strict guidelines. Throughout history our society has deemed pot use, an anti-social activity and has always had a more lenient outlook on its capacity in our lives. Daniel said it so simply, "It has been illegal for 71 years and people continue to smoke, deal and profit off marijuana...so why shouldn't the state collect taxes off of a recreational substance?"
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Deidra,
ReplyDeleteWell put. I like the way you frame this: "Marijuana in Holland is not legal; it's decriminalized." You're quite rational and logical here. IF you were writing about this (as in a paper-length treatment of the topic), you'd certainly want to acknowledge that revamping the system, so to speak, would cost the state a good deal of money (though you're likely correct in that ultimately the state would profit). Doing so allows you to "plant a naysayer" in your text and examine the argument from various angles.