Quote:
Originally Posted by Kant
well if you think about it, would it actually help the economy?
I mean there's the much tutted positives of taxes and billions going to farmers and local shops rather then drug cartels and gangs which is good but consider the other side.
law enforcement agencies both federal and state level would lose billions in funding and that will translate into jobs. Then there's the possible pharma fall, that could mean millions or even billions lost again will translate into jobs lost. Then there's the privatized prison system. less inmates means less guards and possibly less facilities, again more job loss. Then think about all the drug testing. that's a multi billion dollar a year business. that would drop like a rock. again that would lead to even more jobs lost. That doesn't mention the reduced need for lawyers both prosecutors and defenders, and judges and other less recognized jobs that depend on the business of prohibition.
so would the potential gain out weight the loss? i'm not sure.
|
Bullshit...
First off there is plenty of REAL crime to go around that could more than keep police busy if they were not focused on busting pot smokers. Sure they wouldn't seize as much property but oh well, let them start seizing property from real criminals for a change.
There are also plenty of cases to be litigated so I wouldn't go crying for the lawyers either. They also create their own mess. There have been more students in law school then there are lawyers for years now. The only thing that might change in the legal system is that people get the "speedy trial" they have a right to but don't get now.
Prisons...fuck em I couldn't care less. Maybe now they'd stop parole/early release of murders and child molesters so they can make room for mandatory minimum sentenced pot offenders. No they would not suffer at all either, they would just change the way they do business now.
Drug testing? Are you serious? I suppose you've never heard of cocaine or heroin or oxycontin or...they wouldn't miss a beat. Again maybe they lose a little business but not to the extent you claim.
It's not just billions that would go into the economy of legitimate businesses dude, it's over 100 billion a year. It could generate over 30 billion a year in taxes and those numbers are from smokable pot alone. That does not take into account any of the support industries that would benefit or any of the other industries that would be allowed to function because of legalization. Hemp and all it's uses would generate billions more.
I'm sure some people somewhere would lose their job due to the end of prohibition but I seriously doubt it would be enough to be noticeable on the economy.
Matter of fact
http://www.prohibitioncosts.org/endorsers.html there you go...over 500 economists who believe we should legalize, three of whom are Nobel Laureates. Do you really think they would support a change that would be the drain on the economy you suggest?