Schwarzenegger Says Californians Should Debate Legalizing Marijuana

During a press conference Tuesday to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in Davis, Governor Arnold Schwarzeneger was asked if the State of California should legalize and tax marijuana use. His response? That he was open to the idea and that Californian's should debate the issue openly.

Will Californian's be allowed to light up their bongs?

Interviewer:

A recent field poll came out showing a majority of Californian's support legalizing and taxing marijuana use. Especially with the money problems the state is having. Is it time for the state to start legalizing and taxing marijuana use?

Governor Schwarzeneger:

No I think that it's not time for that. But I think it's time for a debate. I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it.

And I think that we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what affect it had on those countries, and are they happy with that decision.

Or, like for instance in Austria, I've heard that they are unhappy with that and they want to roll back some of the decisions that were made in European countries.

I've had dialogue with experts over there where I was born. So I think that one ought to look at all that. And it could very well be that everyone is happy with that decision and then we can look at that.

And if not, we shouldn't do it. But just because of raising revenues, we have to be very careful not to make mistakes at the same time.

A field poll cited that 56% of Californians would support legalizing and taxing marijuana. On February 23, 2009, California State Bill AB 390 was introduced by SF Assembly member Tom Ammiano.

The bill requests legalizing the possession, sale, cultivation and conduct of people involved with the drug for ages 21 and over. A state run program would allow wholesale and retail marijuana sales.

State revenues would result from requiring marijuana growers to pay $5,000 for an initial application and $2,500 renewal fee every year. Retailers would be required to pay a $50/ounce tax.

Taxes will be a remittance payable to the State Board of Equalization and sent to the Treasurer who will use the funds for drug rehabilitation, awareness, and rehabilitation programs.

Some caveats:

4021. To the extent feasible or practicable, the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6451), Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 6701), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6901), and Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 7051) of Part 1 shall govern returns and payments, determinations, collections of fees, overpayments and refunds, and administration under this part.

However, the bill's text only has 4 chapters. Chapters 5-8? Also, who conducted the field poll and where did they conduct this? What are the specifics on this field poll so the public can judge for itself the validity of it.

This is an item for debate. Please do so with an open mind. Try not to read everyone else's comments until you have posted yours. THEN, read what over people have to say.