cannabisnews.com: Legalize, Tax and Regulate Marijuana





Legalize, Tax and Regulate Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on September 28, 2005 at 09:27:41 PT
By Dane Wilkins
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal
USA -- Let's take a step back and clearly look at the current reality regarding marijuana. It seems obvious to me that the war on cannabis (the plant) and the war on users has failed miserably. After 68 years of prohibition we have seen the numbers of users rise from approximately 35,000 (1937 U.S .FBI) to 83 million (according to DHS 2001, household survey) citizens who have admitted to cannabis use. Marijuana is the largest cash crop in California and has been for many years.
Medical marijuana - There is solid worldwide evidence that many patients can and do benefit from using medical cannabis. It is also clear that there are many abuses of our current system and that it would be of great benefit for all of us to deal with this. Recreational use - This is the majority of marijuana users, which includes our neighbors, friends and relatives who use marijuana, and are under-represented and have been prosecuted for years (697,082 arrests in 2002, 613,986 were for possession only.)Industrial hemp production - Why not? One of the most versatile plants. Our Bill of Rights and our Constitution were both originally written on hemp paper. Hemp fabric, food, and biodiesel are also some of the uses.In fact there was a time in our country when it was against the law not to grow hemp. So instead today we just import processed hemp and are in effect punishing our farmers and citizens . I am also concerned that we are utilizing professionally trained law enforcement officers to become essentially field workers - removing approximately 1 million plants this season in California alone. There is no doubt that in some cases there are bad people doing bad things, and that is not acceptable. It is our responsibility to devise ways that clearly protects and benefits the health and safety of our public, and which diffuses and stops harm being created and endangering our people.What Can We Do?Legalize marijuana for adult use (cannabis is not for children). This would begin the process by taking the profit of growing marijuana from the black market. It would also have the effect of demystifying the herb and diffusing much of the mystery that attracts new users. Tax MarijuanaThere is no doubt that for the past generation and a half that marijuana growing has been a prime source of income for a large portion of the Northern California public. All of these folks utilize our public resources and should be paying the appropriate taxes. These taxes would add significant income to our economy. I would hope this untouched revenue would be used locally to help fund our schools, law enforcement, health care and emergency services. Regulate MarijuanaPossibly in a similar manner as the wine industry. Sales are taxed and quality is evaluated, regulated, and quantified. I am asking that each of you consider these ideas and make your own decisions as to how you feel about this. Whatever our similarities or differences, I hope we can look at these together and come up with some reasonable and responsible solutions, lasting solutions that work and benefit our community. Dane Wilkins of Ukiah is the director of the Northern California chapter of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws.Source: Ukiah Daily Journal (CA)Author:  Dane WilkinsPublished: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 Copyright: 2005 Ukiah Daily JournalContact: udj pacific.netWebsite: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Northern California NORMLhttp://www.norcalnorml.org/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by John Tyler on September 29, 2005 at 20:22:12 PT
Not new
This is not new, but it should be repeated over and over again in the media until it is realized.
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Comment #4 posted by Toker00 on September 28, 2005 at 14:10:16 PT
You know,
this would be such an astounding concept if it weren't so old. We've been saying this for over thirty years. This guy is saying it like the thought only just occurred to mankind. Oh well. At least he is SAYING it.I would prefer to donate any change from my dvd purchase to sending one to someone for free. Would that work, runruff? Either way. I'm cool.Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
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Comment #3 posted by dankhank on September 28, 2005 at 13:34:50 PT
failed drug war
is this new?http://alternet.org/drugreporter/26030/
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Comment #2 posted by runruff on September 28, 2005 at 10:59:10 PT:
SCOTUS?
I know they are meeting this month and the are due to decide on Oregons right to die law. Ashcroft challanged 
this based on the missuse of the CSA. Does anyone have any info on this and how it can impact the CSA if at all?
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on September 28, 2005 at 09:56:18 PT:
postage
Postage for my video is around $4 postage and packaging. The DvD is less. About $3 dollars.Toker00, I will send back to you whatever is left over
after packageing and postage.Thanx to all of you.
Peace
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