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Recession Sparks Efforts to Legalize Pot

Full-scale regulation and taxation on the table in Calif.

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 24, 2009 6:06 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The recession has given marijuana-legalization advocates an unexpected boost, Time reports, as cash-strapped states are tempted by possible revenues from pot taxes. With an existing medical-marijuana market and cuts to education and health services pending due to a huge budget deficit, California advocates are preparing both legislation and ballot initiatives to regulate and tax all marijuana sales for adults 21 and over.

Fifty-six percent of registered California voters support legalizing and taxing pot, a recent poll shows, and Oakland just passed a bill to take a bigger piece of medical-marijuana revenues. “There’s no doubt that the ground is shifting on marijuana,” says an executive at the Drug Policy Alliance. “The discussion about regulating and taxing marijuana now has an air of legitimacy to it that it didn’t quite have before.”

Marijuana plants sit on a shelf at Coffeeshop Blue Sky cannabis dispensary, July 22, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
Marijuana plants sit on a shelf at Coffeeshop Blue Sky cannabis dispensary, July 22, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.   (Getty Images)
A bud grows on a marijuana plant at Oaksterdam University, July 22, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
A bud grows on a marijuana plant at Oaksterdam University, July 22, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.   (Getty Images)
Different strains of medical marijuana are displayed in a three-ring binder at Coffeeshop Blue Sky cannabis dispensary, July 22, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
Different strains of medical marijuana are displayed in a three-ring binder at Coffeeshop Blue Sky cannabis dispensary, July 22, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.   (Getty Images)
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I think it's time for a debate. I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs. - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger,
in May

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 28 comments
jagerhans
Aug 14, 2009 5:27 AM CDT
i still think that it's better to exploit a weed plant than a woman. and grass won't give you the crabs.
Spudsy
Jul 27, 2009 3:14 AM CDT
Marijuana became illegal around 1906. Since then there have been two world wars, at least one Great Depression, a cold war, the divorce rate has increased, juvenile crime has increased, and a loaf of bread has gone from pennies to dollars. Making it illegal just isn't working folks.
northeast
Jul 26, 2009 12:52 PM CDT
The idea that we can tax it is a pipe dream....how can you regulate a product that literally grows anywhere? Legalize, but for the correct reasons: personal freedom and a reduction in the strength of the cartels.

 
California • Arnold Schwarzenegger • medical marijuana • legislation • recession • marijuana • Oakland • budget deficit • ballot initiative • taxation

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