I'm a Libertarian living in Humboldt County, CA. I've lived here in Eureka since 1973 and joined the Libertarian Party in 1992. This blog will mostly focus on local political issues, but I may stray into state and national issues as well, when I can't help myself. Please post your comments by clicking on the "comments" link at the bottom of each post. Although I do moderate comments, you need not be a registered user to post them.
I still haven't been able to find that old commentary by the two Canadians I dubbed The Libertarian Case Against Legalizing Pot. Here's the next best thing. It hits some of the same points.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 6:37 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Decriminalization does sound pretty good.... except if you believe in the government making sense. Having something be illegal but have little or no punishment for doing it adds to government idiocy not takes away from it.
I know intelligent government seems like an oxymoron but I'd at least like not to add another layer of inconsistency.
Might I suggest that there are some things that should be the individual's business, and not governments?
Besides, I think decriminalization actually means it wouldn't be illegal, or at least no penalties imposed for use or possession. I think we often tend to fall into a trap of thinking all things are either good or bad and government has to either actively support, or oppose, everything.
Some of these things should be personal business.
This could be a valid point about quality, but just look at the tobacco industry.
It is true that most tobacco sold is garbage like bugler and marlboro. Even most cigars sold are low-quality blunts... but we all know the real reason why those are popular.
However, there are some high quality cigars that I would recommend non-tobacco addicts try sometime. My favorite is Diamond Crown Maximus #1. Just don't smoke too many.
I'm sure the consumer would appreciate being able to go on line and buy the cannabis equivalent of good Dominican cigars. Illegal, cannabis is more like the situation with Cuban cigars. Cubans are great, but it is very difficult to get and there is counterfeit product out there. Smuggled Cubans are a little better than cannabis in that you can be pretty sure they aren't moldy, sprayed with neem oil, taste like fish emulsion, etc.
I'd personally rather pay $60 for a branded, known-quality product than $30 for some halfway-trimmed moldy who-knows-what's-in-it weed. Even if this means paying a little tax, that's fine with me.
The real reason for keeping weed illegal is, much like was suggested by some of the comedy groups of the 60's (like: The Conception Corporation), we'd end up with an inferior, overpriced, product and there would be pictures of...Oh let's say, Angelina Jolie or Woody Harrelson or somebody "famous", on the packages. Eew.
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