I think it's largely a matter of ignorance. But maybe we should break it down to everyone that demonizes drugs in a very simple, mathematical, way:
A lot of tax payer money is going to catch criminals, whose only crime is equivalent to smoking a cigarette.
A lot of taxable income is being lost to the underground economy because Marijuana is illegal.
Now while I think this should expanded to all drugs, including Crack, I must make some realistic concessions. But all this seems to culminate in a reduced cost, and increased income (both at the same time, don't you damned accountants/economists throw that reduced costs = greater income, go fuck yourselves) for a time when we're trying to make budget cuts. But on things like education, social welfare (this we actually need, but I digress), and other pro-social programmes that affect those most vulnerable. So why not just make Marijuana illegal and add a federal surtax, like I believe they do on cigarettes, like 4-5%. Not to mention that Marijuana can be a superior/equal alternative/supplemental to exponentially more costly drugs (even if insurance pays for it, that cost is being passed on to those that pay a premium every month for that coverage).
Your thoughts?
A lot of tax payer money is going to catch criminals, whose only crime is equivalent to smoking a cigarette.
A lot of taxable income is being lost to the underground economy because Marijuana is illegal.
Now while I think this should expanded to all drugs, including Crack, I must make some realistic concessions. But all this seems to culminate in a reduced cost, and increased income (both at the same time, don't you damned accountants/economists throw that reduced costs = greater income, go fuck yourselves) for a time when we're trying to make budget cuts. But on things like education, social welfare (this we actually need, but I digress), and other pro-social programmes that affect those most vulnerable. So why not just make Marijuana illegal and add a federal surtax, like I believe they do on cigarettes, like 4-5%. Not to mention that Marijuana can be a superior/equal alternative/supplemental to exponentially more costly drugs (even if insurance pays for it, that cost is being passed on to those that pay a premium every month for that coverage).
Your thoughts?