Could California become the next Amsterdam? That’s the potential plan San Francisco assemblyman Tom Ammiano of San Francisco is pushing. The bill (AB 390), which was proposed yesterday, would regulate marijuana like alcohol, with people over 21 years old allowed to grow, buy, sell and possess marijuana. Ammiano argues that by legalizing and taxing the recreational use of marijuana, the move could pump more than a billion dollars a year into the state. The state would collect $50 an ounce from sellers, and growers, too, would be taxed.
“We could in fact have the political will to do something, and certainly in the meantime this is a public policy call and I think it’s worth the discussion,” Ammiano said. “I think the outcome would be very healthy for California and California’s economy.”
However, California governed by Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, will face tough opposition in Sacramento. The bill would ban use near schools and prohibit growing cannabis in public view.
“With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense,” Ammiano said. “This legislation would generate much needed revenue for the state, restrict access to only those over 21, end the environmental damage to our public lands from illicit crops, and improve public safety by redirecting law enforcement efforts to more serious crimes.”
Dude - California is like totally going to White Castle.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:01 am
What idiot would say making pot smoking legal would be healthy for Californina? Legalizing pot would only serve to welcome young adults who have grown up to say “no” to consider saying “yes.” Pot creates a tremendous amount of tar, giving rise to blocked arteries and early health problems related to heart disease. Medical insurance would eventually double and triple. Wake up America.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Chuck,
Are you a member of the California Prison Guard’s Union?
Please free my health from your concern, as nobody needs your prescription for care: incarceration.
America has the largest prison population in the world, and California’s prison system is in such dire straights that judges have ordered prisoners released. A prison system built to harbor a maximum of 100K souls is currently bloated with almost 160K. The healthcare being provided to these human beings is a disaster. Yet, Chuck, you feign responsibility for my health? Screw you buddy!
Prohibition is the deadliest and most expensive drug habit of all.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:44 am
MARIJUANA GROWS UP TO 20 FEET A YEAR…REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING…REDUCE GLOBAL DISEASE THROUGH INCREASED OXYGEN…WHILE CONSUMING CO2…GROW WEED EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!
March 13th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Does it make any sense to keep alcohol legal when its 10 times worse then “marijuana”!? How many people die from alcohol each year… rarely do you see a story where someone was killed because of a driver being “to stoned” to drive… I myself have never seen a story on this! Not to mention if it were legal we would save billions on wasted police enforcement as well as free up space in prisons. Not to mention all of the medical benefits of marijuana! It wold also be beneficial to our lower class citizens since they could buy marijuana cheap or legally they wouldn’t have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars each year on over priced medications!
If the government and all the non-supporters of marijuana are so concerned for everyone’s health maybe they should first stop the hundreds of thousands of babies getting killed through abortion each year! Not to mention all the kids that are abused/killed by parents or family members who are alcoholics…
Plus marijuana is an aphrodisiac and also helps against Alzheimer’s as well as being a non-habit forming sleep aid and pain management!
June 11th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
smoke some!