Want to guess how much Americans spend on weed per year?

[AuCoq08]

Pot is often called the biggest cash crop in America. The Fraser Institute, a conservative Canadian think tank, estimates that U.S. consumers spend as much as $110 billion a year on marijuana and cash-strapped state governments are starting to see marijuana as a potentially lucrative revenue source.

The Business of Buds: Why Marijuana Prices May Head Lower

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[2by4]

I am all for legalizing pot. At least it will help pay for all the expenses...and we can have cops doing real cop work other than busting growers/dealers.

[BigSlick]

Isn't California trying to pass a law legalizing (with taxes) on marijuana? For a state as chilled as California, it sounds like a great thing. And the revenue generated might delay their demise.

[saved1986]

I do not even smoke that stuff and I am all for legalizing and taxing it big time.

[Madmark]

The $110 Billion is probably street value currently. If legalized, the value will probably drop to less than the 50% they assumed in their calculation. Their use of standard microeconomics analysis is quite interesting.

[Java_Guru]

I prefer the Bob Stutman's argument here: Legalize Marijuana for Tax Revenue. People will be less productive if they are *high* or will have lots of negative impacts on others. How do you like your cab driver that's high? Worse yet, bus driver...

[BigSlick]

Originally Posted by saved1986

I do not even smoke that stuff and I am all for legalizing and taxing it big time.

Black market will still be around if you tax them too much.

[Madmark]

Originally Posted by BigSlick

Isn't California trying to pass a law legalizing (with taxes) on marijuana? For a state as chilled as California, it sounds like a great thing. And the revenue generated might delay their demise.

Oakland is well ahead of this game. =) If they pass Prop 19 in November, then they will probably be working on taxing them well too. You can carry up to an ounce and be legally fine.

Oakland Approves Giant Marijuana Farms

[Zenster]

Originally Posted by Java_Guru

I prefer the Bob Stutman's argument here: Legalize Marijuana for Tax Revenue. People will be less productive if they are *high* or will have lots of negative impacts on others. How do you like your cab driver that's high? Worse yet, bus driver...

They won't make it to work being that high.