CA Assemblyman Proposes Taxing Marijuana

Desperate times calls for desperate measures, and out of all the states in the Union, the Golden State has a budget that is worse off than many others, even though everyone is having a troubling time. So what could be a revolutionary plan that could help the fiscal solvency of the state and at the same time scare the bejeezus out of social conservatives?

Taxing and regulating marijuana of course:

Speaking at a landmark press conference today, California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced comprehensive legislation to tax and regulate the commercial production and sale of cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol.

“With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense. This legislation would generate much needed revenue for the state, restrict access to only those over 21, end the environmental damage to our public lands from illicit crops, and improve public safety by redirecting law enforcement efforts to more serious crimes”, Assemblyman Ammiano said. “California has the opportunity to be the first state in the nation to enact a smart, responsible public policy for the control and regulation of marijuana.”[...]

As introduced, Ammiano’s measure would allow for the licensed production and sale of cannabis to consumers age 21 and over. Licensed cultivators would pay an excise tax of $50 per ounce of cannabis. In addition, the proposal would impose a sales tax on commercial sales. (Ammiano’s proposal would not affect the state’s medical marijuana law, allowing patients and caregivers to grow their own medicine.)

Imagine that, ratcheting down the war on drugs by a notch or two and helping to reduce the deficit of one of the world's top ten economies. NORML estimates that it would raise more than a billion a year in addition to the elimination of state law enforcement programs that are set up to catch growers, distributors and users. Treating marijuana like alcohol and cigarettes is a smart idea, and even though our puritanism runs deep, there are veins of common sense embedded in our foundation as a country.

While a many Americans on the west coast are in support (see the article) of this type of action, it remains to be seen if the bill could actually pass the Assembly and Senate, then be signed by Governor Schwarznegger. He may be a moderate Republican, but he is certainly no Ron Paul. Then again, times are really, really bad, so I won't count Mr. Ammiano's proposal out yet.