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I love how "legalize it and we can tax it" always comes up.
It is already under the tax umbrella.
How many people growing currently growing (and selling) actually report the income on their federal taxes and pay the income tax? How about Hawaii state income tax?
Anyone? I didn't think so.(Deafening silence)
None of the people who sell now are going to come out and do their civic duty and pay taxes on the product, legal or not. They are too entrenched in their underground, tax-free world. Remember, this is how they nailed Al Capone; failure to report income.
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The pretense to legalize it would be to tax it. I agree with you mdd7000. I think more people would grow there own and there wouldn't be much in the way of revenue in taxing. I think it would cause more problems than benefits. I just wanted to see where the candidates stood on this issue. Whether they supported it or not.
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quote:
Originally posted by jade
...cause more problems than benefits.
...this is the outcome of current law and policy.
While there may be shortcomings with the many proposed alternatives, the status quo has proven to be a disaster and in need of replacement with something better -- fewer problems, more benefits -- if not something perfect.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
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mdd is right, in the sense that the underground supply network is thoroughly entrenched. Aside from dispensaries for those not attuned to that network, any broad effort by the government to control the supply will require pricing below current levels, including taxes. Otherwise, the black market would continue to prevail.
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A Marijuana permit should be issued for a fee of say, $50 a year. This would enable an adult to grow up to a dozen or so mature female plants at a time. Penalties would remain for driving under the influence, or for providing marijuana to children.
1. The revenue generated from the permit would be a source of income for the county.
2. The county would save hundreds of thousands of dollars by abandoning futile eradication attempts.
3. The price of Marijuana would plummet locally as the demand is relaxed, takng the criminal element out of the picture and making it unprofitable to grow massive amounts. (People shipping pot would still have to answer to the feds)
4. Criminal activity with the goal of getting drugs would be greatly reduced.
5. Demand for ice would drop with pot readily available for cheap or free.
6. Potato chip sales would skyrocket.
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MDD says:
"love how "legalize it and we can tax it" always comes up.
It is already under the tax umbrella.
How many people growing currently growing (and selling) actually report the income on their federal taxes and pay the income tax? How about Hawaii state income tax?"
only 53% pay taxes as it is (see link) ... the other 47% by your reasoning must grow pot, may as well move ahead and get it out into the light
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Nearly-hal...3.html?x=0&.v=1
