This is a great idea. As Agent points out, pot is a gateway drug. I believe the gateway is opened because, using the “underground” distribution network, many times those dealers also can supply heroine, coke, opioids’,… It is not that pot makes you have a need to move on to stronger drugs. You can be solely a wine drinker, but wine doesn’t make you crave scotch. However, you may try or buy a scotch at a bar or liquor store (your dealer).
I don’t disagree with anything in this measured article — legislature has the right to raise taxes, and the sheriffs have a right to petition for funding. I’d hope for two caveats. (1) use the fund for all substance abuse: Alcohol and opioids are a much more urgent problem, and marijuana taxes can help address them. (2) place the funds under some reasonably neutral state agency to supervise its use.
Putting aside the dangers of marijuana and if it is or isn’t a gateway drug — if you want to talk about that, PLEASE reply to Agent or Jack’s post instead — what rights do a little more than half of the Sherrifs have to overturn the will of the voters?
The voters approved 6.25% sales tax + 3.75% excise tax + an additional 2% if local communities want it. Elected officials should be enacting laws as voted on by their constituants.
The people of MA voted for a certain tax level on the drug and that’s the level the state should apply. If a higher tax rate is requested, the citizens of MA should be able to vote on it before the officials decide to give the voters something they did NOT vote for.
Rosenblatt, did you know that Drugs (of all types) now exceed alchohol in car accidents resulting in death? 43% for drug related, 37% for alcohol. That is how drugs whether it be Marijuana, Crack, Meth or Heroine has taken hold of this country.
I did not know that Agent. Those are bad numbers. Driving while intoxicated on any substance is bad!
I’m curious if you know what part of the 43% is attributable to marijuana versus other drugs?
I ask because I honestly don’t think driving while stoned is as bad (again – it’s still very bad!) as driving while being blasted on heroin or bath salts.
The taxes are plenty high enough. 6.25% state tax + 3.75% excise tax + 2% local tax = 12% total
Given that alcohol is only taxed 11 cents a gallon for beer 12% is plenty enough for cannabis.
The legislature had over 8 years since cannabis decriminalization to write a legalization bill, they chose not to. Now they can implement what the voters voted on or lose their jobs the next election.
Hey Sheriff’s, did you not know that Marijuana is not addictive and everyone who does it recreationally are fine members of their community?
This is a great idea. As Agent points out, pot is a gateway drug. I believe the gateway is opened because, using the “underground” distribution network, many times those dealers also can supply heroine, coke, opioids’,… It is not that pot makes you have a need to move on to stronger drugs. You can be solely a wine drinker, but wine doesn’t make you crave scotch. However, you may try or buy a scotch at a bar or liquor store (your dealer).
I don’t disagree with anything in this measured article — legislature has the right to raise taxes, and the sheriffs have a right to petition for funding. I’d hope for two caveats. (1) use the fund for all substance abuse: Alcohol and opioids are a much more urgent problem, and marijuana taxes can help address them. (2) place the funds under some reasonably neutral state agency to supervise its use.
Putting aside the dangers of marijuana and if it is or isn’t a gateway drug — if you want to talk about that, PLEASE reply to Agent or Jack’s post instead — what rights do a little more than half of the Sherrifs have to overturn the will of the voters?
The voters approved 6.25% sales tax + 3.75% excise tax + an additional 2% if local communities want it. Elected officials should be enacting laws as voted on by their constituants.
The people of MA voted for a certain tax level on the drug and that’s the level the state should apply. If a higher tax rate is requested, the citizens of MA should be able to vote on it before the officials decide to give the voters something they did NOT vote for.
Rosenblatt, did you know that Drugs (of all types) now exceed alchohol in car accidents resulting in death? 43% for drug related, 37% for alcohol. That is how drugs whether it be Marijuana, Crack, Meth or Heroine has taken hold of this country.
I did not know that Agent. Those are bad numbers. Driving while intoxicated on any substance is bad!
I’m curious if you know what part of the 43% is attributable to marijuana versus other drugs?
I ask because I honestly don’t think driving while stoned is as bad (again – it’s still very bad!) as driving while being blasted on heroin or bath salts.
The taxes are plenty high enough. 6.25% state tax + 3.75% excise tax + 2% local tax = 12% total
Given that alcohol is only taxed 11 cents a gallon for beer 12% is plenty enough for cannabis.
The legislature had over 8 years since cannabis decriminalization to write a legalization bill, they chose not to. Now they can implement what the voters voted on or lose their jobs the next election.