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The problem with decriminalizing it is that the government would not get anywhere near the amount that they think they would. It is so simple to grow marijuana
by weaksauce 17y ago
The problem with decriminalizing it is that the government would not get anywhere near the amount that they think they would. It is so simple to grow marijuana that a large majority would grow their own. Marijuana did not get the nickname by chance, it got it because it is a hearty plant.
Though I do agree with you that it would dis-empower some of the drug lords of South America, I disagree that it would have as great an impact on the economy.
- grandalf 17y agoFair point. Although I'd argue that it's trivial to grow tomatoes and yet few people bother to do so at home. As for the economic impact, I guess it would depend, but I'm inclined to think there would be lots of government revenues in it, if tobacco is any indication.
- GiraffeNecktie 17y agoIf tomatoes sold for $150 an ounce more people would grow their own.
- gnaritas 17y agoAnd if MJ were legal, the price would drop dramatically. You can only charge so much for an easily grown weed. It's only expensive because it's illegal.
- Alex3917 17y agoIt depends what the distribution of consumption is. My guess is that 90% of marijuana users consume less than a quarter ounce a year. There's no question that there are people who consume close to an ounce a week that will grow their own, but I'm sure 95% of people would much rather prefer to buy it in stores. This will be especially true once the store-bought product is properly regulated and required to be tested for dangerous chemicals, excessive mold levels, mycotoxins, etc.
- Keyframe 17y agoGood point, but you can play a politician and legalize consumption and regulate production Win-Win.
- grandalf 17y agotrue... better than a dysfunctional black market that doesn't prevent consumption while enriching drug lords and criminal organizations around the world.