Watch the Time video.
Proponents of marijuana legalization have advanced plenty of arguments in support of their drug of choice: marijuana is less dangerous than legal substances like cigarettes and alcohol; pot has legitimate medical uses; the money spent prosecuting marijuana offenses would be better used for more pressing public concerns. [Time]
Thirteen states permit the limited sale of marijuana for medical use. Polls show a steady increase in the number of Americans who favor legalization. Federal law still bans the cultivation, sale or possession of marijuana. Feds still classify marijuana as a Schedule I drug, one that has no “currently accepted medical use” in the U.S. Fifty-six percent (56%) of the state’s registered voters support legalizing and taxing marijuana as a way of offsetting some of California’s budget deficit.
Advocates for legalization say that if state or local governments could collect a tax on even a fraction of pot sales, it would help rescue cash-strapped communities. Not surprisingly, the idea is getting traction in California, home to the nation’s largest supply of domestically grown marijuana (worth an estimated $14 billion a year) and biggest state budget deficit (more than $26 billion).
Democratic state assemblyman Tom Ammiano has introduced legislation that would let California regulate and tax the sale of marijuana. The state’s proposed $50-per-oz. pot tax would bring in about $1.3 billion a year in additional revenue.
If the state legislature doesn”t act, perhaps California voters will. One group is preparing to place a statewide initiative for the November 2010 ballot that would regulate and tax the sale of marijuana for Californians 21 years of age and older. [Tax Cannabis 2010]
Even Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking for a study about legalizing marijuana. He said:
“I think it”s time for a debate,” the governor said at a news conference. “I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs.”
I haven’t heard anything about Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons calling for a study. But then he is sort of in a coma, planning his re-election. Considering Nevada and Nye County’s financial problems they would be prudent to start looking at a marijuana tax themselves. But then Nevada seems to be last or close to last on anything progressive.
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