Marijuana liberalization picking up steam

July 22nd, 2009, 10:21 am · 5 Comments · posted by by Alan Bock, Register editorial writer

Nice to see a bit of good news. The idea of legalizing marijuana and collecting taxes on it as one piece of the solution — well, approach to a solution — to the endemic budget crisis continues to attract attention from national media. And in Oakland, voters approved a measure to add a special sales tax on medical marijuana — backed by medical marijuana providers in what is called Oaksterdam — to help deal with the city’s budget woes. You don’t often see businesspeople saying “tax us more,” but of course it’s also a move to increase perceived legitimacy, and from what I can tell 1.8% isn’t going to affect the dispensaries’ profitability.

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About this blog

Orange Punch bloggers write from a particular libertarian point of view. We’re dedicated to advancing human freedom and believe that the primary role of government is to defend Americans’ liberties. We seek a smaller, more limited government, expanded and freer trade at home and abroad, open markets and secure property rights. We believe in the power and goodwill of the individual; that he or she will aspire to a better tomorrow for themselves, for their family and for the community. We would hope for people to exercise integrity and self-responsibility along the way. The bloggers are Alan Bock, Brian Calle and Mark Landsbaum. The genesis of this particular brand of libertarianism is R.C. Hoiles, founder, Freedom Communications, Inc., parent company of the Orange County Register.

Andy says:

July 22, 2009 at 10:28 am

I am surprised that permitting farmers to grow hemp is not being discussed these days. A crop while the cotton is plowed under would mean more income to collect income tax on.

ocobserver says:

July 22, 2009 at 12:24 pm

In this economic climate the state legislators would probably legalize public exposure if they could figure out some way to tax it.

rlh says:

July 22, 2009 at 12:33 pm

Observer, I’d suggest a sliding scale for that depending on who’s exposing themselves. Some people should be prohibitively taxed to encourage them to stay covered up, but then there are those who should be, well, incentivized . . . all in the public interest, of course.

ssaworker says:

July 22, 2009 at 12:44 pm

LOL, rlh!

I would personally donate to the fund that would have Hugh Jackman, Gerard Butler, Jon Bon Jovi, Hrithik Roshan, Christian Bale, John Barrowman, Peter Wingfield, Michael Wincott, Michael Fassbender, Jason Statham…oh, it’s a long list…walking around in not much clothing.

That’s taxation for representation I could definitely support.

Hubba hubba…

ssaworker says:

July 22, 2009 at 12:36 pm

I think that it is way past time for the legalization of pot. We are perfectly fine with cigarettes, which are nothing more than sticks of pure death. Ever seen a tobacco factory? I have. In the storage areas, they have rats, mice and huge bugs running all over the tobacco stacks, and there are feces and filth in all of it. Nasty, nasty stuff. We don’t have any problem with alcohol, which is far worse, in my view, because it makes some people violent and abusive. Pot smokers don’t do that.

Some people say pot is a gateway drug. Wrong. Alcohol is usually the first gateway drug. Enough with the drama over something so stupid. Legalize it, then tax it, and get over it.

Orange County Register