Arnold Schwarzenegger: "Time to debate...legalizing Marijuana"

[xtremesteven33]

DAVIS, Calif., May 6 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says it's time to seriously debate the merits of legalizing and taxing the recreational use of marijuana.

Although the Republican does not support a legalization move, he did say Tuesday in Davis, Calif., that in a time of economic crisis that has plunged the state's budget into red ink, the time is right to discuss the idea, The Sacramento Bee reported Wednesday.

"Well, I think it's not time for (legalization), but I think it's time for a debate," Schwarzenegger said. "I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it. And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect did it have on those countries?"

The governor's comments came after a statewide poll indicated 56 percent of registered California voters supported legalizing and taxing marijuana to raise revenue for the cash-strapped state.

Thirteen years ago, California voters authorized marijuana's use for medical purposes, the newspaper said.


http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/06/Schwarzenegger-Marijuana-debate-is-needed/UPI-82621241635254/

[jack sommerset]

Hell yeah! I'll smoke that shit if its legal!

[balli]

Meh, we'll see. The cynic in me says fuck anyone who didn't want this debate before it became financially expedient, but yeah, we'll see.

[koriwhat]

Hell yeah! I'll smoke that shit even if it's illegal!

[jman3000]

I've never even touched the stuff and I'm all for legalizing it.

[xtremesteven33]

Its funny how Beer/Liquor/Tobacco is legal and the effects of those substances are more damaging to the body than Marijuana.

Not only is it worse but they have endless promotions of it on T.V.

[baseline bum]

I've never even touched the stuff and I'm all for legalizing it.

I don't like it either anymore, but there is no reasonable and justifiable explanation for it being illegal.

[JoeChalupa]

Doesn't matter to me.

[Wild Cobra]

Legalize it. Tax it like anything else. It's not a new product, and it will be there anyway.

[fyatuk]

A governor of one state doesn't make a lick of difference. Until a significant portion of the federal government is willing to talk about it, it's completely pointless. SCOTUS has already decided federal drug laws trump state drug laws even if there's no interstate issues involved.

But yeah, not a user, but legalize it already.

[Nbadan]

There's a surprise...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/273003/arnold_smoking_weed/

[CuckingFunt]

I'm fairly certain the growers up here in Humboldt will fight any efforts to legalize.

[George Gervin's Afro]

I was for it before I smoked it.....

[braeden0613]

Just legalize it already.

[ElNono]

I didn't inhale...

[baseline bum]

I never exhaled...

[hope4dopes]

I'm fairly certain the growers up here in Humboldt will fight any efforts to legalize.

Yeah as well as the mexican drug cartels that are growing in Ca.

[Yonivore]

I'd settle for decriminalizing.

[Barry O'Bama]

Since I plan on having the federal govt overrun states rights it's never gonna happen. We have too many agencies with vested interests to leagalize some weed.

I'll tell you what let me just raise some taxes on the rich and we will get CA back to where it needs to be.

[Wild Cobra]

I didn't inhale...
LOL...

I sure did!

Last time was 4/20/09 however...

[Wild Cobra]

I'd settle for decriminalizing.
Do you see any harm in it? Have you ever had it? I remember when it was from $20 to $55 an ounce depending on quality. California is thinking of what, $50 per ounce tax? At $200+ per ounce now, I can accept that.

[LnGrrrR]

Go Arnold. Way to bring this up. The more we can get this idea that marijuana is the devil's seed out of the way, the better.

[ElNono]

But will somebody think of the children!!!!

[desflood]

i've never even touched the stuff and i'm all for legalizing it.
+1

[FaithInOne]

The state of California is one of the biggest economies in the world, yet they are going bankrupt. The tax argument is weak. Give them a $50 billion annual raise and they will give you $80 billion worth of new spending.

I have never done drugs, but I am 110% behind legalizing marijuana.

[Wild Cobra]

The state of California is one of the biggest economies in the world, yet they are going bankrupt. The tax argument is weak.

I have never done drugs, but I am 110% behind legalizing marijuana.
I don't like taxes for the sake of taxing myself. However, I see marijuana as a natural drug less harmful than alcohol and tobacco. There's no way to legalize it without taxing it at some rate. Everything else is taxed.

Look at it as an acceptable excuse for the government to do the right thing, and let people enjoy this herb given to us by God, without the fear of reprisal.

[FaithInOne]

haha true true

[DarkReign]

Do you see any harm in it? Have you ever had it? I remember when it was from $20 to $55 an ounce depending on quality. California is thinking of what, $50 per ounce tax? At $200+ per ounce now, I can accept that.

Ha...my shit costs $425 an ounce, no bullshit. I have to keep it in a Mason jar for the smell alone. Out of this world -ish.

[Wild Cobra]

Ha...my shit costs $425 an ounce, no bullshit. I have to keep it in a Mason jar for the smell alone. Out of this world -ish.
Yep, hard to get good stuff where you live then. The really good stuff here is $300... well, maybe you have to know the right people too...

[Wild Cobra]

One of the few good things about living in the capital of the North-Left coast is that great weed is inexpensive compared to other places.

We grow it here too!

[DarkReign]

Yep, hard to get good stuff where you live then. The really good stuff here is $300... well, maybe you have to know the right people too...

Yeah, good point. You west coasters probably do have better access. I do know for a fact that my -ish was from a local farmer who just takes a very unique approach to the whole process.

[Wild Cobra]

Hmmm...

Did I even make any posts the evening of 4/20?

Wonder what they look like...

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Jesus I need to move to Cali it seems. Virginia is like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Where I live, nothing but brick weed, $110 per Oz. but you'd really rather pay more for the better shit.

Only option you have is try to buy something off a college kid from up north, because there isn't any such thing as dank down here. Still, if you know the right people $300 will get you some pretty damn good beasters

[SnakeBoy]

Sinners! You shall all burn in hell for smoking the devils weed!

[Heath Ledger]

This would put a major dent into the mexican drug war going on at our borders. Most of what they are smuggling is cannabis, imagine if it legalized the price will drop and put those fuckers out of business.

[koriwhat]

it's like this in SA...

$45-$60 an 8th
$100-$120 a QTR
$300-$425 an Oz

as for mexican press... something like $40-$60 an Oz.

it's not like it used to be though... used to get really good stuff from cali here but those days are almost obsolete and everything nowadays is weak shit but pricier. i don't understand it.

[Heath Ledger]

Because the growers know potheads will pay out the nose for that shit and they are laughing all the way to the bank. People would still buy cigarettes too even if that shit was $20 a pack.

[InRareForm]

it already is legal.

get 150 bucks, go to a clinic with doctor, give them your medical BS "i have migraines" excuse, you now are legal to have weed in your possession.

[Wild Cobra]

Sinners! You shall all burn in hell for smoking the devils weed!

Really?

I thought it was the apple God warned about.

[fyatuk]

it already is legal.

get 150 bucks, go to a clinic with doctor, give them your medical BS "i have migraines" excuse, you now are legal to have weed in your possession.

Not in every state and not according to the federal government. People have gone to jail on federal charges for medical marijuana, and a relative of mine got arrested because she was not in a state that allowed it, even though she had a prescription.

Plus, you know, that would be considered fraud anyway (since you're specifically clarifying it as a BS excuse).

[jman3000]

Really?

I thought it was the apple God warned about.

It was an apple bong.

Duh.

[jack sommerset]

is this the one subject most of us agree on....legalize pot?

[Wild Cobra]

is this the one subject most of us agree on....legalize pot?
I think so.

[Medvedenko]

Yes, legalize it....

[SnakeBoy]

Really?

I thought it was the apple God warned about.

No it was apples, weed, dirty dancing, thongs, and sex with the lights on.

[Ignignokt]

Um.. legalizing wont finish off the cartels.

[baseline bum]

Um.. legalizing wont finish off the cartels.

You make such a compelling argument.

[Rogue]

Terminator is a geniuse, only gangsters would rant against this constructive suggestion.