Drug Legalization; your view?

[viva la ben]

There was no DEA during prohibition, the fbi handled the illegal alcohol inforcement. If marijuana is legalized does it get "rolled" into the jurisdiction of the ATF? Would the DEA have a reduction in workforce?

[Willie Kool]

Department of Agriculture

Spoiler:

Actually, the FDA.

[ulf]

Legalize pot. Less people in jail, more tax revenue, more jobs.

[Shyster]

I knew an attorney, who was a wake and baker and wore very expensive suits to work.
I gathered that he did quite well in his profession.

Shyster?

No. While I am in favor of drug legalization, I've never partaken of anything myself. I honestly don't have the slightest idea where I would get pot even if I wanted it (other than taking a trip to Colorado or Washington, of course).

[PensFanInDC]

I knew an attorney, who was a wake and baker and wore very expensive suits to work.
I gathered that he did quite well in his profession.

Shyster?

No. While I am in favor of drug legalization, I've never partaken of anything myself. I honestly don't have the slightest idea where I would get pot even if I wanted it (other than taking a trip to Colorado or Washington, of course).

Every restaurant in America

[shmenguin]

has anyone else noticed an increased rate in waiters seeming like they're stoned over the last few years?

[count2infinity]

I have not...

[columbia]

Every restaurant in America

Pretty much. It's been awhile since I was a waiter, but yes......

[PensFanInDC]

has anyone else noticed an increased rate in waiters seeming like they're stoned over the last few years?

I think it's cause we are getting older. I still have friends in their mid 30s working in food service and it really hasn't changed. 60% of the staff is stoned at work. It was that way when I was 18 and waiting tables and it's that way now, 15 years later.

[newarenanow]

I don't think heroin or cocaine or meth should be legalized. I draw the line at pot.

No real reasoning behind it. I just feel that there's a clear distinction b/w pot and hard drugs like heroin and crack/cocaine and meth.

This is my view.

[tifosi77]

There was no DEA during prohibition, the fbi handled the illegal alcohol inforcement. If marijuana is legalized does it get "rolled" into the jurisdiction of the ATF? Would the DEA have a reduction in workforce?

The Volstead Act was enforced by the imaginatively named Bureau of Enforcement. The BOE started out as a division of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and was later transferred to the Department of the Treasury and later to the Department of Justice. It evolved over time to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, before becoming what is known today as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives under the Department of Homeland Security.

Not sure if BATF would retain jurisdiction over enforcement of what pot laws remain on the books. I would think offenses related to marijuana in the face of legalization would be more the bailiwick of other bodies, like the IRS or Treasury.

[yubb]

I believe this decision should be given to the states. Until the Constitution was ravaged the states used to have the power to make these decisions. But Americans don't generally think of the states rights first any more.

So, give the states the power (a power they're already granted by the Constitution) to decide if to legalize it and if "it" means "just weed" or "weed, steroids, dbol, meth, bennies, ANYTHING I CAN GET MY HANDS ON!"

That's a great aspect of our country that is often overlooked. We have 50 chances, 50 different ways, to see if something works.

So the question is then if I was governor of a state would I try to legalize it? I think it's safer to have drugs legalized than to have black markets and the crime surrounding them. Weed is a no brainer. But I'd lean toward legalizing more, if not all drugs and steroids. We can't make the mistake they're making in CO though and make the cost still super high. I've read that some people are sticking with their dealers and an illegal supply since it's still cheaper.

[shmenguin]

Of you were governor, you would make the decision mainly based on:

A) what satisfies the people who are supposed to re-elect you
B) how it will affect your run for president, if that's what you're interested in

If both of those elements are satisfied, then you'll start to consider tax revenue and your own opinion.

[yubb]

True. However, I'd like to think I'd do what's best for freedom and liberty. But as they say "Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

[pensfan1989]

I believe this decision should be given to the states. Until the Constitution was ravaged the states used to have the power to make these decisions. But Americans don't generally think of the states rights first any more.

So, give the states the power (a power they're already granted by the Constitution) to decide if to legalize it and if "it" means "just weed" or "weed, steroids, dbol, meth, bennies, ANYTHING I CAN GET MY HANDS ON!"

That's a great aspect of our country that is often overlooked. We have 50 chances, 50 different ways, to see if something works.

So the question is then if I was governor of a state would I try to legalize it? I think it's safer to have drugs legalized than to have black markets and the crime surrounding them. Weed is a no brainer. But I'd lean toward legalizing more, if not all drugs and steroids. We can't make the mistake they're making in CO though and make the cost still super high. I've read that some people are sticking with their dealers and an illegal supply since it's still cheaper.

I can definitely get behind steroid legalization. The Congressional witch hunt over MLB was ridiculous.

[no name]

My question how would you want pot to be distributed at and how easy should it be to buy?? in beer distributers? over 21 age requirement? WHat would you sell it for 20 dollar for a pak of 4 joints?? 40 dollar for a 1/8th bag? I am sure the goverment would over price it to maximaize profit?

[yubb]

21 and older to purchase, like alcohol (though that should be 18).
Sold anywhere, not just in state stores.
The government should have nothing to do with the price. Supply and demand economics. I'm not sure what it goes for now so I can't speculate how much it should cost.
Only tax taken should be a sales tax, if any.

[columbia]

Not sure how the prices compare in the legal states.

Right now, people are effectively paying a "my pot dealer could go to jail, so he's charging me more than it should be" tax.

My guess is that it would even out.....but I don't know for sure.

[viva la ben]

If legal pot was available nationwide I doubt the price would be something people complain about. The market would set the price. Of course in the earliest days the prices will be sky high.

[bh]

Can you grow your own out there for your own use?

[bh]

I'm a cheap bastard and that's prolly how I'd roll.

[shmenguin]

Can you grow your own out there for your own use?

yeah. i think you can have something like 6 plants growing at a time.

[PensFanInDC]

$50-$60 for 1/8 of an ounce. Not usually a discount for increased quantity.

....or so I hear

[tifosi77]

I definitely think there should be a pot-specific tax. Nominal, maybe a percent. But I think that makes it a little easy to identify the revenue stream and allocate that money for specific government programs. (Like the FICA tax, for example) I'd love to see a sign like this



that reads "School Built By Pot Tax" or something. That'd be sweet.

[viva la ben]

$50-$60 for 1/8 of an ounce. Not usually a discount for increased quantity.

....or so I hear

Especially for the "good stuff" and not brick schwag.