Reply #26: Tennessee has already been aggressively trying to tax illegal drugs [View All]

[Tsiyu]

You had to show up in person to buy a stamp. But they didn't legalize so the tax collection is illegal and unconstitutional itself.

Believe me, the revenuer showed up at my door looking for a former resident who was levied $3000.00 for possession of $60.00 worth of mushrooms. (Tax dude's ears are probably still ringing from the ComeToJesus Meeting he got when he showed up at MY door.)

It's simple. You allow people to grow their own up to a certain limit with no tax or penalty. This alone puts $$$$$ back in circulation into the economy, since they're not having to spend money to buy it, or to make cops and prison contractors rich if they get caught.

Most people won't want the trouble or will want to buy other strains depending on their ailment or need (appetite, sleep, pain relief) so there will remain a vast market.

You make rules for growers as to what they can grow, security around plots or for indoor facilities (so minors don't grab any of the harvest) and you start out selling it au natural, bulk, with a per gram/ounce tax rate. An indoor operation can grow a crop in six weeks. The purchaser would pay that tax to the grower/distributor and the grower/distributor would then forward that tax to the State monthly. You would have a revenue stream in eight to ten weeks.

Later on, you work out processed cannabis, making sure Monsanto doesn't get any claws in the business, and you refuse to allow any Pharm or chem company to "patent" it.

Many small growers could cover the need, become prosperous and in turn SPEND THAT MONEY.

Farmers with no interest in growing medicinal cannabis could grow hemp, which is an extremely useful plant we IMPORT but do not allow our farmers to grow (this is the absolute stupidity of America today. The Founders would be furious and shocked that hemp cultivation is prohibited in the US. It's like prohibiting cotton or corn. It's absolutely maddening how the DEA propaganda has made this plant a crime to grow. And Americans just don't really care how stupid they look.)

Farmers could corner the North American market and find new markets for this plant, and manufacturing of hemp products would become cheaper close to home.

This could be done. Look how fast that wretched Patriot Act was passed and implemented...

In addition, glass blowers and others who make smoking items would sell product and collect tax revenue. The ripple effect would be amazing.



On edit: You would also see sales increase for those who build greenhouses, manufacture hydroponic systems, ziploc bags, grinders, vaporizers, etc, etc, etc.

Money flow is the issue. Legalization would create good circulation for many industries....you might see that if you can get your head out of the inane propaganda long enough to be practical.

That's the thing: The true Pie-in-The-Sky dreamers are the ones who think the current manner of dealing with cannabis isn't destroying lives and isn't part of the demise of our economy.