Schwarzenegger says it's time to study legalizing pot

ericlp

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
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http://www.miamiherald.com/new.../AP/story/1033893.html

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday it's time for California to study whether to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use, though he's not yet advocating for such a change.

The governor was asked about a recent Field Poll showing that 56 percent of registered voters support legalizing and taxing marijuana to raise revenues for cash-strapped California. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, has proposed legislation that would legalize the drug for recreational use, rather than just medical purposes.

"Well, I think it's not time for that, but I think it's time for a debate," Schwarzenegger said. "I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it. And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect did it have on those countries?"

He said his native Austria is revisiting some of its marijuana laws, for instance. The Austrian Parliament last year authorized cultivation of medical marijuana.

"It could very well be that everyone is happy with that decision and then we could move to that," Schwarzenegger said of other nations' legalization policies. "If not, we shouldn't do it. But just because of raising revenues ... we have to be careful not to make mistakes at the same time."

This is a Huge step in the right direction from what I can see. I think it's LONG over due but and with in 5 - 10 years you will see people freely smoking MJ. Obama has already told the fed that he doesn't want money and time spent on trying to catch MJ smokers... In other words get off your lazy ass and go get the bigger fish to fry... Stop filling up the jails with dope smokers and growers.

 

OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
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Sorry, outright legalization is not happening. There is a struggle going on for medical use, but that is far different than allowing it for recreational use. (well, theoretically)
 

Harvey

Administrator<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: ericlp

Topic Title: Schwarzenegger says it's time to study legalizing pot

Proving that not all Republicans are morons. :thumbsup: :cool:
 

glenn1

Lifer
Sep 6, 2000
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What's to study? It's not like this is some brilliant new idea, it's been something that has been considered for decades now, by all kinds of governments, think tanks, and special interest groups.

If nothing else, it ought to be decriminalized.
 

compuwiz1

Admin Emeritus Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: OCguy
Sorry, outright legalization is not happening. There is a struggle going on for medical use, but that is far different than allowing it for recreational use. (well, theoretically)

You can't possibly know that for sure. Alcohol kills more people than pot does, I promise you. Why is there such discrimination over drugs of choice? Legalization of pot is far less dangerous than legalization of alcohol ever was. :)

 

OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
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Originally posted by: JSt0rm01
Originally posted by: OCguy
Sorry, outright legalization is not happening.

why?

If you really dont know why, I dont know what to tell you.

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

You can't possibly know that for sure. Alcohol kills more people than pot does, I promise you. Why is there such discrimination over drugs of choice? Legalization of pot is far less dangerous than legalization of alcohol ever was. :)


I can 100% know for sure that it is not going to happen. Nowhere have I said it shouldnt happen. But I am realistic with the political landscape of the US.

I am in a state where you go to a doctor for 5 min and you have open access to some of the best pot in the world. It is basically quazi-legal already. I just think that is about as close to legalization as it is going to get.

 

n yusef

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2005
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Originally posted by: OCguy
Originally posted by: JSt0rm01
Originally posted by: OCguy
Sorry, outright legalization is not happening.

why?

If you really dont know why, I dont know what to tell you.

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

You can't possibly know that for sure. Alcohol kills more people than pot does, I promise you. Why is there such discrimination over drugs of choice? Legalization of pot is far less dangerous than legalization of alcohol ever was. :)


I can 100% know for sure that it is not going to happen. Nowhere have I said it shouldnt happen. But I am realistic with the political landscape of the US.

I am in a state where you go to a doctor for 5 min and you have open access to some of the best pot in the world. It is basically quazi-legal already. I just think that is about as close to legalization as it is going to get.

Please explain why marijuana will not ever be legalized in California or the US.
 

Harvey

Administrator<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: n yusef

Originally posted by: OCguy

I can 100% know for sure that it is not going to happen. Nowhere have I said it shouldnt happen. But I am realistic with the political landscape of the US.

Please explain why marijuana will not ever be legalized in California or the US.

He has a problem. He bought a refurb'ed crystal ball. He can't RMA it, and there are no current drivers. :laugh:
 

OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
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Originally posted by: n yusef

Please explain why marijuana will not ever be legalized in California or the US.

Well it cant be legalized on a state-by-state basis. Although Obama has stopped DEA raids (apparently) on medical pot, you can bet they would go out full-force as far as legalization.

The US is still a very conservative country. Why on freaking earth do you think we would legalize weed before other Western nations? Even the Dutch are scaling back their coffee shops.

The soccer-mom democrats are not for legalized pot. Obama is not for legalized pot (he was just asked this recently)

The only reason legalization is getting light right now is due to the revenue it could bring. It isnt some grass-roots movement that NORML is responsible for. They are responsible in part for the medical laws.


It would all have to start with changing marijuana from a Schedule I drug. And I dont know any politician in any real position of power that is going to stick his head out for that.
 

Stunt

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Jul 17, 2002
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Do the people who oppose this understand their share of tax revenues go down when others pay taxes?

I am all for other people paying for public goods; it's an effective tax cut for me... :)
 

MotF Bane

No Lifer
Dec 22, 2006
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Originally posted by: Harvey
Originally posted by: n yusef

Originally posted by: OCguy

I can 100% know for sure that it is not going to happen. Nowhere have I said it shouldnt happen. But I am realistic with the political landscape of the US.

Please explain why marijuana will not ever be legalized in California or the US.

He has a problem. He bought a refurb'ed crystal ball. He can't RMA it, and there are no current drivers. :laugh:

Obviously, nothing is ever absolutely certain, but he is probably correct.

Damn, and I just ordered my crystal ball last night, should've checked for drivers first. :(
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
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While I will never touch the stuff, I would like to see some tax revenue from it.

:thumbsup: to legalization of "soft-core" drugs.
 

GuitarDaddy

Lifer
Nov 9, 2004
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I think it will pass quickly so they can sedate us and calm us while they hand out more bailouts and hope we don't notice:)

But, Seriously this is long long overdue. They should wize up that the tax revenue would easily offset the lost drug war revenue and allow them to redeploy people as well as money in other areas. Although the later is rather scary, A uniformed IRS agent on every block to collect all those avoided taxes? :eek:
 

compuwiz1

Admin Emeritus Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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The one idiotic mentality that still exists in goverment, is in them thinking they are ever going to stop the use and distribution of it. It's like having prohibition in place. Why not just regulate and tax it as another source of revenue just like they've done with alcohol? Maybe drug law enforcement is too profitable due to the penalties they charge, but use will not go away.....that's a losing battle.
 

Fear No Evil

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Nov 14, 2008
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Some of you guys really need to grow up and realize there is more to life than smoking weed. I don't think it really should be criminal, but honestly I don't think it helps society much either. Go read a book or something.
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
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Originally posted by: Stunt
Do the people who oppose this understand their share of tax revenues go down when others pay taxes?

I am all for other people paying for public goods; it's an effective tax cut for me... :)

Isn't he cute when he's naive?
Reality: "Hey, we have a surplus. How can we spend it to benefit our donors & ensure that we're re-elected over and over?"
 

Stunt

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2002
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Originally posted by: DrPizza
Originally posted by: Stunt
Do the people who oppose this understand their share of tax revenues go down when others pay taxes?

I am all for other people paying for public goods; it's an effective tax cut for me... :)
Isn't he cute when he's naive?
Reality: "Hey, we have a surplus. How can we spend it to benefit our donors & ensure that we're re-elected over and over?"
Well our system is a bit different than yours...
Basically you are afraid the tax revenues will get funneled back to the tokers? lol
 

compuwiz1

Admin Emeritus Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: DrPizza
Originally posted by: Stunt
Do the people who oppose this understand their share of tax revenues go down when others pay taxes?

I am all for other people paying for public goods; it's an effective tax cut for me... :)

Isn't he cute when he's naive?
Reality: "Hey, we have a surplus. How can we spend it to benefit our donors & ensure that we're re-elected over and over?"

He's from Canada. They do things differently. ;)
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
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Originally posted by: Harvey
Originally posted by: ericlp

Topic Title: Schwarzenegger says it's time to study legalizing pot

Proving that not all Republicans are morons. :thumbsup: :cool:

Are you suggesting that any Democrats who oppose legal recreational or legal medical marijuana are morons?

:D
 

ericgomes

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Nov 16, 2008
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People don't agree with legalizing marijuana because it's considered a "drug." Meanwhile it's just a man made plant, God put it on the earth. There hasn't been one recorded death of marijuana, but it hasn't been studied seriously enough to see what the long term effects are. I smoke marijuana, and I believe people think so lowly of it is because it smells, it's classified as a "drug", it can "force people to try other drugs", and "smoking marijuana can lead to a lack of motivation and an unsuccessful future." Notice how I put the statements I disagree with in quotes.
 

compuwiz1

Admin Emeritus Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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The other argument that it's a gateway drug is bullshit too. People with addictive personalities that need the crutch of a heavier drug will get there with or without pot.