comment by thenewgreen

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thenewgreen · 4598 days ago · link · · parent · post: War on Drugs ( in spirit of the "holiday")

I cannot say that 'legalization' the way the Netherlands has implemented it, is the best way to do it, since cultivating is still illegal -My thoughts are, if you are going to legalize it (and I hope they do) you need to do so fully. It should be legal to grow but taxed like crazy. Our prisons will start to empty and we will lose jobs in those areas which we could potentially make up for with jobs having to do with the cultivation and legal distribution of marijuana.

Aside: I was just talking with my wife about taking a trip to Amsterdam, I've never been but I've heard great things.

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speeding_snail · 4598 days ago · link ·

I agree, legalize it completely and tax it. Might solve some of our budget problems. We somehow have a weird relation with marijuana. It isn't legal, but everybody acts like it is. We do tax hookers, but marijuana is a taboo... I hope that the US dares to legalize the stuff. If the US does, the rest of the western countries will at least reconsider their stance on drugs.

As for Amsterdam: A lot to see there. At least visit Dam Square and if you like flowers/gardens, visit the Keukenhof. You can pm me if you have some questions ;-)

+discuss+discuss

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mk · 4598 days ago · link ·

I hope that the US dares to legalize the stuff. If the US does, the rest of the western countries will at least reconsider their stance on drugs.

I wouldn't count on it happening soon. There is a huge infrastructure built around the US war on drugs. It is a cash cow for a number of industries, like the private prison industry. Not only do we need to change the public dialog, we've got some serious special interests to overcome before a policy like that could pass the legislature.

+discuss+discuss

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steve · 4597 days ago · link ·

booze, tobacco, and big pharma play their part.

why pay for them when you could grow something in your back yard or living room that can give you several of the same "ends"? that thought makes them mess in their pants.

+discuss+discuss

thenewgreen · 4598 days ago · link ·

Thanks, appreciate it. It looks as though it's a trip for a later date. We have decided that we would like to visit Munich Germany but we are having difficulty finding a family member to watch out 15 month old daughter while we are away. Amsterdam is on a short list of places I'd like to see though.

There's no doubt that the US' drug policy is completely messed up and illogical.