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annek annek
 
M$1.30 August 18, 2009 05:38 PM

Big California wildfire connected to marijuana crop grown by Mexican Drug Cartel. Will legalization of pot prevent this kind of thing?

From Reuters (via Yahoo News):

"Illegal cultivation of marijuana in California's forest lands has been a significant problem for several years, prompting federal and local agencies to step up eradication efforts, Forest Service spokesman Jim Turner said. He added that some but not necessarily all the marijuana gardens had been connected to the Mexican cartels."

This is an unfortunate side-effect of illegal drug cultivation. Could this kind of crime and destruction be avoided if marijuana was legalized and grown in more controlled, safe conditions?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090818/us_nm/us_wildfire_marijuana
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irishsteph... irishsteph...
 
 August 18, 2009 05:48 PM
Don't get me started on legalization, but yes, it will absolutely prevent this kind of thing from happening.

It's basic economics - legalize it, flood the market with a good, legal and fairly priced product and there will no longer be a need for a black market like the Mexican Cartels are such a huge part of.

Not only will it lower crime from vicious and bloodthirsty gangs and cartels, but it will help the economy, support a struggling farmer and create jobs across the country.

I am a HUGE supporter of legalization - the reasons to legalize it are countless. Again, I urge our community (who, by our very nature here in Mahalo seek truth and correct, real answers) to educate themselves on this critical issue and learn as much as they can about this plant. Legalization, in my opinion, could honestly save this country, and I believe we're heading that direction.

(que patriotic music)
Source(s):
norml.org

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annek annek
 
August 18, 2009 05:54 PM
There is the argument that, in this struggling economy—when California is in billions of dollars of debt—legalization of marijuana could yield great revenue from taxes. http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/Miscellaneous/270720090841_medical_marijuana_touted_as_cure_for_cities_budget_.html

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irishsteph... irishsteph...
 
August 18, 2009 06:42 PM
My point EXACTLY - thanks @annek!!

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samid samid
 
August 18, 2009 08:42 PM
First, sadly, you have to convince all those people who were brainwashed by all the propaganda started by the Reagan administration and which has been perpetuated since. I was always very trusting of the government until I discovered the truth about marijuana. Now, it makes me wonder what ELSE they've been lying about. I only wish everyone would open their eyes, ears, and brains and see what everyone is talking about. Alas, it's difficult to undo decades and decades of brainwashing, but we will finally get there.

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irishsteph... irishsteph...
 
August 18, 2009 09:06 PM
@samid - That's OUR responsibility my friend - we need to tell everyone we know to get educated, get involved and break the cycle of lies.

I understand your sadness - when I figured out the government is really only in it for themselves (i.e. keep the rich rich and keep us regular folks where we are) it was an eye opener.

Now - go tell everyone you know to learn more. It's not just about grass - hemp is just as valuable - think of the forests we'd save if we made hemp paper instead of trees - and hemp grows WAY faster than a tree amigo...

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beast1oh1 beast1oh1
 
August 18, 2009 09:42 PM
@irishstephen I'm afraid I'm going to have to buck the trend and disagree with you. The drug cartels will not be put to an end mainly because the biggest source of revenue for gangs like the Zetas is crystal meth. Also, according to the quote provided, most of these illegal pot farms have nothing to do with the Mexican drug cartels. Even if California taxed marijuana like alcohol the most the state would receive is $1.7 billion. That is assuming that every marijuana user and farmer become law abiding citizen and pay their taxes.

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irishsteph... irishsteph...
 
August 19, 2009 02:37 PM
@beast1oh1 - I still disagree with you - if it was legal, then what would be the point in having an "illegal" farm? It's redundant - they wouldn't waste their time. And as far as gangs go, I will agree that some will still move other products - but probably wouldn't waste their time or money trying to move something that is readily available.

I still like where your head is at - keep thinking along those lines and we'll be in good shape to get rid of these people...

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coltech88 coltech88
 
August 18, 2009 06:18 PM
Legalization has been a rational idea for a long time. The illegal status of marijuana was the result of hysterical propaganda during the prohibition era.

There was a question the other day about diverting money for enforcement of laws against marijuana trafficking towards enforcement of trafficking of dangerous drugs:

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/drug-war/if-tomorrow-authorities-shifted-the-funds-used-to-fight-marijuana-into-fighting-crystal-meth-would-you-support-it-or-not

The U.S. spends too much in areas where it doesn't make sense and the political will is too fearful to change the laws and accept the abundant revenue stream that would result if they legalize marijuana.

Tags: legalization, crime, marijuana, revenue

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beast1oh1 beast1oh1
 
August 18, 2009 10:00 PM
As I mentioned before the most California can expect is $1.7billion, and that is assuming all marijuana farmers and users pay their taxes. A great amount of resources can still be wasted as a result of cops having to deal with drivers intoxicated by marijuana. In a 2007 survey focused on nighttime weekend drivers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association discovered that 8.6 percent were under the influence of marijuana. While with alcohol it was only 2.2 percent.

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beast1oh1 beast1oh1
 
August 18, 2009 10:40 PM
No it wouldn't, unless someone can provide proof that every pot farmer would suddenly become tax paying law abiding citizens(if they were they probably wouldn't be growing pot in the first place). People must realize these individuals are not poor farmers, they are criminals. They have a complete disregard for the environment. They've shown this by farming within national parks instead of in their own homes.

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