When will pot become a mainstream political issue?

[The Minsky Moment]

I used to like CdM, until he made noises about trying to deprive me of wine.

Wine snobbery is an entirely different issue.  One that requires an entirely different criminal code.

I agree.  Start with making it a misdemeanor to sell jug wine, white zinfandel, and garbagne. 

[Barrister]

Personal opinion, but I'd like to think I have enough first hand experience to make my opinion worth something.

It's a really crap opinion (unusual for you). If you think that removing a revenue source worth approximately $40bn* in the USA would have a marginal impact on organised crime, you must be tripping.

* Estimate from CNBC
http://www.cnbc.com/id/36179677/How_Big_Is_The_Marijuana_Market

Maybe we have different understandings of the word "marginal".

I agree it would make a noticeable difference.  But of the organized crime-type files I see just as many have to deal with crack as with pot.

So I say again - legalizing pot will not put the Hells Angels out of business.

[CountDeMoney]

I used to like CdM, until he made noises about trying to deprive me of wine.

Wine snobbery is an entirely different issue.  One that requires an entirely different criminal code.

I agree.  Start with making it a misdemeanor to sell jug wine, white zinfandel, and garbagne.

WINE IN A BOX

[Gups]

Marginal = insignificant, minor, small.

Of course legalising pot won't mean an end to criminal gangs. It will just knock out a significant income stream as well as freeing up a certain amount of time for enforcement agencies and a new income stream for the gubbermint.

[The Minsky Moment]

WINE IN A BOX

I'm OK with wine in box conceptually.  Just not with the wines that usually get put int the box.

[Razgovory]

WINE IN A BOX

Well how else would a guy like me get into some college chick's pants?

[Barrister]

WINE IN A BOX

Well how else would a guy like me get into some college chick's pants?

There are several ways, but most wind up with you being arrested.

[derspiess]

I used to like CdM, until he made noises about trying to deprive me of wine.

Wine snobbery is an entirely different issue.  One that requires an entirely different criminal code.

I agree.  Start with making it a misdemeanor to sell jug wine, white zinfandel, and garbagne. 

I'm not a wine snob, but I'll second that.

[Razgovory]

WINE IN A BOX

Well how else would a guy like me get into some college chick's pants?

There are several ways, but most wind up with you being arrested.

[dps]

Once, we changed out constitution to ban alcohol. Then we changed it back. This will have its time as well.

This may have actually been better placed in the thread on Obamacare and the Supreme Court, but I find it very interesting that in 1919 we didn't think Congress had the power to ban alcohol without a Constitutional amendment, less than 20 years later we repealed that amendment (so, in theory Congress no longer had the power to ban alcohol, right?), and then Congress started criminalizing other recreational drugs.  Yet, oddly, I don't recall ever hearing an advocate for decriminalization of pot (or other harder drugs) argue for a strict interpretation of the commerce clause.

[crazy canuck]

There would still be an underground market for bigger, better buds than the mediocre, overtaxed pot that would be allowed in the public market.

I am not sure why you assume that private regulated growers for profit would produce mediocre bud. I also I am not sure why you assume it would be overtaxed given the fact the main policy reason for regulating is to take out the profit motive for organized crime.

[Gups]

WINE IN A BOX

Well how else would a guy like me get into some college chick's pants?

She might be amused by your presumption.

[dps]

There would still be an underground market for bigger, better buds than the mediocre, overtaxed pot that would be allowed in the public market.

I am not sure why you assume that private regulated growers for profit would produce mediocre bud. I also I am not sure why you assume it would be overtaxed given the fact the main policy reason for regulating is to take out the profit motive for organized crime.

While I don't know about the 1st assumption, the 2nd one seems almost certain to happen if pot is legalized, given the way we tax alcohol and tobacco.

[DGuller]

If you really want to take organized crime completely out of the picture you have to legalize everything, and make it easily available (as in no prescription needed).

Legalize pot if you want.  It will only make a marginal difference to organized crime.

The influence on organized crime is a diversion.  Laws should not be made with organized crime in mind, they should be made with citizens in mind.  A large number of citizens, if not the majority, think laws against marijuana are pointless, and a large subsection of those people have so little respect for that law that they just outright ignore it.

[CountDeMoney]

There would still be an underground market for bigger, better buds than the mediocre, overtaxed pot that would be allowed in the public market.

I am not sure why you assume that private regulated growers for profit would produce mediocre bud.

Result of establishing the cheapest means of production.  And don't think the HCL content wouldn't be parametered with a ceiling like any other altering product.

I am not sure why you don't assume that.

I also I am not sure why you assume it would be overtaxed given the fact the main policy reason for regulating is to take out the profit motive for organized crime.

In order to make such a controversial initiative a success, you know that be the public interest trade-off.  Look at the tax margin on our other sin taxes: cigarettes, alcohol.

I also am not sure why you wouldn't assume that.