Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Reasons why marijuana should not be legalized/decriminalized

Stompy · 11-15-2004, 08:58 PM

No, what I'm saying is... if people want it legalized, then they have to pay a price - that price being a tax. That way the goverment gets an incentive to legalize it, while those who want it legalize have peace of mind in knowing they won't be arrested for such an insignificant (and for the most part, harmless) act.

I'm not saying the government should ENCOURAGE drug use. I never once said that, nor did I ever say there aren't any health risks. It's more like.. the government shouldn't be so harsh towards those who use it. There are health risks to pretty much all drugs we're allowed to consume. They are significantly less, of course, compared to one who smokes a pack or two of cigarettes a day or one who comes home and drinks a whole case of beer. Sure, there will be those who have problems controlling their use, but you'll have that anyway.

Like I said above: alcohol is legal now.. does our country have a serious problem where people go on these rampages.. where workers show up to work drunk, teachers drunk etc?

I'm simply saying that they could impose a tax for those who choose to use it. I'm sure if the govt wanted to, they could slap a $5 tax on any bottle of booze 75 proof and up. Tax would go toward whatever. It's not encouraging alcohol consumption if they did so.

I'm not 100% sure on how taxes are collected then spent, but I highly doubt they say, "Ok, these taxes came from cigarettes, so those are being used for anti-smoking ads". I'm sure it all goes to one place, then is split off according to whatever budget is set aside.. just like your income taxes. You pay federal and state tax, that tax goes to whatever they see fit: schools, roads, etc.

That argument is for those who claim it would disrupt our income. I'm saying for every person who gets arrested and pays fines, there are many many more who aren't. The government's incentive is to tax those people and pull in quite an income, but at the same time you WOULD get rid of marijuana dealers.. just like bootleggers were done for when prohibition ended.

11-15-2004, 08:58 PM	#32 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	No, what I'm saying is... if people want it legalized, then they have to pay a price - that price being a tax. That way the goverment gets an incentive to legalize it, while those who want it legalize have peace of mind in knowing they won't be arrested for such an insignificant (and for the most part, harmless) act. I'm not saying the government should ENCOURAGE drug use. I never once said that, nor did I ever say there aren't any health risks. It's more like.. the government shouldn't be so harsh towards those who use it. There are health risks to pretty much all drugs we're allowed to consume. They are significantly less, of course, compared to one who smokes a pack or two of cigarettes a day or one who comes home and drinks a whole case of beer. Sure, there will be those who have problems controlling their use, but you'll have that anyway. Like I said above: alcohol is legal now.. does our country have a serious problem where people go on these rampages.. where workers show up to work drunk, teachers drunk etc? I'm simply saying that they could impose a tax for those who choose to use it. I'm sure if the govt wanted to, they could slap a $5 tax on any bottle of booze 75 proof and up. Tax would go toward whatever. It's not encouraging alcohol consumption if they did so. I'm not 100% sure on how taxes are collected then spent, but I highly doubt they say, "Ok, these taxes came from cigarettes, so those are being used for anti-smoking ads". I'm sure it all goes to one place, then is split off according to whatever budget is set aside.. just like your income taxes. You pay federal and state tax, that tax goes to whatever they see fit: schools, roads, etc. That argument is for those who claim it would disrupt our income. I'm saying for every person who gets arrested and pays fines, there are many many more who aren't. The government's incentive is to tax those people and pull in quite an income, but at the same time you WOULD get rid of marijuana dealers.. just like bootleggers were done for when prohibition ended. __________________ I love lamp. Last edited by Stompy; 11-15-2004 at 09:06 PM..