Weed Could Save California’s Economy

Mendocino County, California is often called “America’s Marijuana Capital”, and for good reason: weed is this area’s number one cash crop. California, which is one of 12 of states in the U.S. to have legalized medicinal marijuana, allows residents to grow a limited amount of pot plants for medicinal use – though federal law, which bans growing marijuana for any purpose, causes clashes between state and national government agencies.

With an increase in border security after 9/11, California has become an even more popular spot to grow marijuana plants for sale in the U.S., and business is booming. With so much money changing hands, legislators are starting to recognize weed’s potential to save California’s floundering economy. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano introduced “The Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act”, which would go well beyond the decriminalization of marijuana to actually legalize the cultivation, sale, purchase and possession of the plant.

From The Itt List:

“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.”

As announced yesterday, the state of California would receive a $50 fee for every ounce of pot sold (which would be on top of whatever that ounce’s actual price is in a future free market). That fee and a proposed sales tax on medical marijuana would mean $1.3 billion “immediately,” according to Betty Yee, the chairwoman of the Board of Equalization who was at yesterday’s press conference. I wonder what the annual weed revenues would be, especially in a state that just barely averted a major fiscal disaster late last week. Yee called the new proposal “a responsible measure on how to work out the regulatory framework of the legalization of marijuana.”

Legalizing marijuana simply makes sense, not just for California but for the entire country. First and foremost, there are the economic benefits. The government and taxpayers would benefit hugely from diverting the billions that are currently spent each year on tracking down, prosecuting and jailing non-violent marijuana offenders to more important uses. Instead of chasing peaceful stoners and putting them in jail alongside rapists and murderers, they could be focusing more of their efforts on fighting real crime.

Plus, there are two major environmental benefits to legalizing and regulating marijuana cultivation. Marijuana operations could be brought out into the open, eliminating the need to destroy fragile forest ecosystems in an attempt to hide from authorities. And, noxious chemical spills caused by irresponsible growers could be reduced dramatically. Spills from improperly buried diesel fuel tanks and generators have leaked into California waterways, causing untold damage.

Unfortunately, this bill is unlikely to pass simply due to the ingrained negative view of the beneficial plant, courtesy of the misguided War on Drugs.

From SF Weekly:

Ammiano told SF Weekly that he doesn’t expect his bill to pass “overnight,” but doesn’t see it as merely a “placeholder.” As far as superseding federal law, he pointed to a similar bill recently introduced in Congress by Rep. Barney Frank; hopefully the law of the land will change. If not, Ammano hoped to exploit “fuzziness” regarding state and federal laws and the low priority this state has given to busting marijuana users entitled by Proposition 215. He predicted that, in these dire economic times, “support will fall all over” for his bill. Perhaps, perhaps not.

Legalizing weed would solve two of California’s most pressing problems: prison overpopulation and an unprecedented budget deficit. It’s a no-brainer.

Link [The Itt List] via [The Huffington Post] + [SF Weekly]

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