One good thing coming out of the economic crisis *wink wink*

California is now seriously considering making pot legal! HIGH FIVE! RIGHT?! RIGHT?!

But seriously, this guy makes a very good argument in favor of pot, while the Sparkle Motion representative over there sounds like a dumbass.

So, what do you think Giant Bomb? Should pot be legal in California?


EDIT: Ok, apparently I can't embed the clip so hold on a sec.

EDIT again: Ok, here's the link instead. Yeah, I know. Fox News fails.

Well, if it will stop people from using it, then it should be legal.

Haha, Sparkle Motion! Love that movie XD

I think pot should be legal everywhere. Not only would that decrease the crime associated with illegal drugs, but the government could tax it as well. 

Good for the people in California? Sure, why not. Whether or not marijuana eventually becomes legal across the nation, I won't smoke it. Not the point, government could make a profit off of it, and it isn't like you hear many marijuana-related deaths. The only problem I could see is smoking in public. Honestly, anybody against something like this has to be in denial. Especially the parents of America, perhaps some of the biggest hypocrites on drugs and spew out lies to kingdom come when it comes to marijuana.

I don`t see why not, the effects are no more harmful then getting drunk, I'd rather hang out with a stoner then a drunk any day, and if they can sell it legally and tax it, there looking at a good chunk of cash, plus there are tons and tons of people in prison just because they smoked or were carrying marijuana and prisons are already full as it is over such a stupid law.

Make it legal and then tax it to hell. The government could make so much money from taxes on it. Sure for small time period there would be a huge spike in increased usage, but it would go back down. The government needs the money, so they should just do it! I know, there are many obstacles.

California should legalize it, sell it, tax it and enjoy its benefits. I don't see it happening though.

I thought it already was legal, at least medically, in California.  And a friend I have who lives there, actually a few, have said that if you have "the card" (not sure what that is) you can get it at the shops/vending machine and you can grow up to a certain amount.   So technically, it is legal. 

I definitely think it should be legalized for non-medical use, as it has many benefits.  Aside from the NORML viewpoint of its helpfulness, there's many more.  Right now in America jails are overcrowding with non-violent offenders.   People who got caught with a little more than the misdemeanor amount are spending time in jail for something that is, in my opinion, petty.  Our tax dollars go to paying for inmates to eat and sleep, therefore I think actual criminals should be locked up, not potheads.  I'm not saying it should be legal to sell marijuana either.  If the government was smart, they'd legalize ganja and tax the shit out of it, and hold a monopoly on that market.  With that and cigarettes the debt would be paid off in a month.   Of course there are flaws in every plan, and I'm sure my "great" idea/opinion has many.

Also, somewhere I read a statistic that stated 80% of Americans have tried pot at least once in their life.  Of course that includes current smokers, and 1 timers.  All the same it's opening the minds of those who think it's a deadly dangerous drug.  Give it time, as liberal as America is getting it won't be long before weed laws are reformed.  

Of course. Pot should be legal everywhere.

Why the hell should we get arrested for having the wrong type of vegetation in our pocket?

I have yet to encounter a person who identifies as a stoner and isn't a complete cunt so something which could potentially make more sounds terrible, though, the idea of making it legal and heavily taxing it does sound like it could ruin the lives of plenty tokers.

Heavily taxing pot defeats the purpose of legalizing it.

Not really. Alcohol and tobacco are heavily taxed here and yet the amount of people who make their own is still a tiny number because the price is worth paying for the convenience.

"Heavily taxing pot defeats the purpose of legalizing it.
"

"I think pot should be legal everywhere. Not only would that decrease the crime associated with illegal drugs, but the government could tax it as well. "

Well, just like with every other good, when you tax something, especially when you tax it heavily, people will go to alternatives for the goods.

By legalizing drugs, you basically destroy all power of gangs. The black market which funds these nasty gangs is so successful because it has a monopoly on these drugs.

Legalizing it would basically destroy their monopoly and in result, their power. However, if you heavily tax it, the black market will be re-created. People will just sell the stuff tax free, and those people will most likely be the criminals and the gangs. And there ya go, they have their power back. Gangs would not exist if there weren't illegal substances for them to monopolize. Heavily taxing pot, would give them back their monopoly because they could sell it so much cheaper.

"Well, just like with every other good, when you tax something, especially when you tax it heavily, people will go to alternatives for the goods."

"Well, just like with every other good, when you tax something, especially when you tax it heavily, people will go to alternatives for the goods.

By legalizing drugs, you basically destroy all power of gangs. The black market which funds these nasty gangs is so successful because it has a monopoly on these drugs.

Legalizing it would basically destroy their monopoly and in result, their power. However, if you heavily tax it, the black market will be re-created. People will just sell the stuff tax free, and those people will most likely be the criminals and the gangs. And there ya go, they have their power back. Gangs would not exist if there weren't illegal substances for them to monopolize. Heavily taxing pot, would give them back their monopoly because they could sell it so much cheaper.
"

The lady in the video against legalization of pat is just using false scare tactics much like all anti-drug groups. If pot was illegal i guarentee you that all illegal trafficing of the drug will go away, If a person can get weed from a store, whats the point of calling up your dealer, driving to his house, meeting unpleasant people, giving more money than its worth, then having the chance of it being laced with something dangrouse? I refuse to belive that the consumer would rather go through all of that than to go down to the local gas station and picking up a pack. And anyone who knows anything about economics at all, no consumer means no need for the product.

There wont be any issue of drug dealers not wanting to "give up their turf" because there wont be any "turf" to fight over if its legalized.

People shouldn't be smoking it period. Actually, people shouldn't do drugs or use alcohol period (or at least use alcohol in excess). It's just stupid. Why would you want to purposely harm yourself?

"People shouldn't be smoking it period. Actually, people shouldn't do drugs or use alcohol period (or at least use alcohol in excess). It's just stupid. Why would you want to purposely harm yourself?
"

"AndrewGaspar said:

"People shouldn't be smoking it period. Actually, people shouldn't do drugs or use alcohol period (or at least use alcohol in excess). It's just stupid. Why would you want to purposely harm yourself?
"

cause its fun.

(i dont do drugs aside from drinking btw)
"

Drinking alcohol actually has a positive effect on the human body and if you knew anything about employment law you would realise pretty much every profession states drinking on the job or having alcohol in your system while working is not allowed. I would imagine if weed did get legalised in California they would treat it very much like alcohol is treated, although I'm not sure how they can actually tax it.

I mean how do you tax someone for something they are probably growing at home? They would basically have to legalise it and state somewhere that home produce of weed is illegal, but buying and using it from registered stores or whatever is ok.

Also just a reminder, lets keep the discussion focused on this particular issue about weed being considered for legalisation and not derail this into a "I hate drugs, alcohol, smoking and anyone who does any of that!"...."I think you're stupid for being such a conservative" argument. And I don't think I need to remind you all that the only reason this topic stays alive is because so far the conversation has been decent, productive and not branched too deeply into the illegal. The moment it does, it gets locked :)

"Gunner said:

"AndrewGaspar said:

"People shouldn't be smoking it period. Actually, people shouldn't do drugs or use alcohol period (or at least use alcohol in excess). It's just stupid. Why would you want to purposely harm yourself?
"

cause its fun.

(i dont do drugs aside from drinking btw)
"

Most drugs make people lazy and inefficient, alcohol included, if taken in large doses.
"

"Gunner said:

"AndrewGaspar said:

"People shouldn't be smoking it period. Actually, people shouldn't do drugs or use alcohol period (or at least use alcohol in excess). It's just stupid. Why would you want to purposely harm yourself?
"

cause its fun.

(i dont do drugs aside from drinking btw)
"

Most drugs make people lazy and inefficient, alcohol included, if taken in large doses.
"

Also, sorry for the double post but many people were asking about what the tax would be like. If pot is legalized in California, the tax would be $50 per pound.

Since I am living in California, this is kind of a big deal. The problem is that we're just going to get a lot of people coming here just to smoke weed.

There has never really been a reason to make marijuana illegal. Statistically, smoking and alcohol are more dentrimental in both the long and short term. Cutting down on NARC squads would also save hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars a year. Legalizing it would also cut down on crime, dissipating the street gangs that live off of drug trafficking rather than getting an education. The sales of marijuana could also be taxed, tallying up even more money for the government. I wouldn't be at all surprised if California passes this since being the richest state, it's also likely the most intelligent.