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> I worry that it creates a positive feedback loop where the government generates tax revenue off it’s population’s addictions. Do you loose a lot of sleep ov

> I worry that it creates a positive feedback loop where the government generates tax revenue off it’s population’s addictions. Do you loose a lot of sleep over the fact that the government is doing this today with, for example, alcohol? Alcohol is an insanely destructive drug. It decimates families, relationships, careers, lives, etc. No one at all seems to say the government need to "stop profiting off the taxes". It frankly never comes up. Sure we talk a lot about how to help those who reach the stages of addiction, but there's never guilt over the tax revenue. I'm asking you to honestly think why this is any different.

Darkphibre 7y ago
I'm guessing they have the same issue with Alcohol. Why would a poorly implemented existing example assuage their concerns?
leetcrew 7y ago
you are assuming a lot about GP, how do you know they don't also oppose alcohol taxes? personally, I accept grudgingly that tax dollars may be necessary to "sweeten the pot" of legalization for people who are otherwise opposed or apathetic towards it. ideally, the tax would go directly towards funding rehab for those who want it and be revenue neutral overall, but let's not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
coleifer 7y ago
>whataboutism
eindiran 7y ago
I do worry about it in the case of tobacco. I think the big push to ban nicotine vaping is driven by big tobacco, and politicians cashing in on the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement: it created really perverse incentives where states literally receive a portion of all tobacco sales, which can add up to a huge amount. Anything that reduces that is directly an attack on the state's budget. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_Master_Settlement_Agreement https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_Master_Settlement_Agre...
spacemanmatt 7y ago
I think alcohol should be taxed the same as food. This is a product of a lot of experience with alcoholism among friends and family. IMO we should be considering the epidemic as a symptom, in addition to providing addiction treatment/support as needed.
snagglegaggle 7y ago
>Do you loose a lot of sleep over the fact that the government is doing this today with, for example, alcohol? Not OP, but yes.

Darkphibre 7y ago

I'm guessing they have the same issue with Alcohol. Why would a poorly implemented existing example assuage their concerns?

leetcrew 7y ago

you are assuming a lot about GP, how do you know they don't also oppose alcohol taxes? personally, I accept grudgingly that tax dollars may be necessary to "sweeten the pot" of legalization for people who are otherwise opposed or apathetic towards it. ideally, the tax would go directly towards funding rehab for those who want it and be revenue neutral overall, but let's not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

coleifer 7y ago

>whataboutism

eindiran 7y ago

I do worry about it in the case of tobacco. I think the big push to ban nicotine vaping is driven by big tobacco, and politicians cashing in on the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement: it created really perverse incentives where states literally receive a portion of all tobacco sales, which can add up to a huge amount. Anything that reduces that is directly an attack on the state's budget. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_Master_Settlement_Agreement https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_Master_Settlement_Agre...

spacemanmatt 7y ago

I think alcohol should be taxed the same as food. This is a product of a lot of experience with alcoholism among friends and family. IMO we should be considering the epidemic as a symptom, in addition to providing addiction treatment/support as needed.

snagglegaggle 7y ago

>Do you loose a lot of sleep over the fact that the government is doing this today with, for example, alcohol? Not OP, but yes.