Slashdot Mirror
Facebook Billionaire Gives Money To Legalize Marijuana
Aldenissin writes "Dustin Moskovitz confirmed that he has recently given (an additional) $50,000 in support of Proposition 19, which is seeking to legalize marijuana in California this November. He had previously donated $20,000 to supporters of the act, which would allow people 21 years old or older to possess, cultivate or transport cannabis for personal use and would permit local governments to regulate and tax commercial production and sale of the substance. Asked for a comment as to why he's backing the legalization of marijuana, Moskovitz just sent this statement: 'More than any other initiative out there, Prop 19 will stabilize our national security and bolster our state economy. It will alleviate unnecessary overcrowding of non-violent offenders in our state jails, which in turn will help California residents.' An irony here is that about a month ago, Facebook refused to take FireDogLake's 'Just Say Now' pro-cannabis law reform ads."
Americans are not good at self control. That is why we have problems with Alcohol and Tobacco, but it is too difficult to stop those, Alcohol proven by prohibition. But opening the door to
Marijuana is actually quite stupid. We want to improve citizens productivity and their willingness to work. The debates go back and forth giving hypnotically advantage and disadvantages to prove each side.
The real question is if Marijuana was legal what will be the increase in use... Now how will that effect the productivity and profitability the the US Economy. Is the gain from less jail and a additional non-black market greater then the loss of a percentage of Americans taking a mind altering drug that decreases their ambitions. And perhaps creates a higher level of parasitic jobless (the ones who can work, could find it, but choose not to, and take our resources) rate. Cause decrease in overall Tax Revenue and having a larger population of Poor jobless people where to bread more saver crime.
In terms of smoking, Most Americans measure their smoking on packs of percentage of packs of cigarettes a day. Other countries measure it in terms of cigarettes per day.
In terms of drinking where it is common they will have a few drinks over the day and not get drunk. Americans when they drink they will get drunk, very drunk.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Charlie Crist realized that as governor of Florida & is getting crucified by his former party for vetoing a very similar bill. The Republicans honestly think they know more about teaching children than our educators do.
There is a war going on for your mind.
You might have a point, if the research on pot was completed. At this point, the idea that it's harmless is naive to say the least, it does have an impact on the rest of society, and we just don't know how bad yet.
It might be limited to lack of efficiency due to sleep problems, or it could be more serious problems like increased rates of mental illness. It's naive to say the least to assume that because we haven't answered the question that the answer is minimal harm.
But, what you fail to recognize is that what makes something a criminal act is legislative and judicial in nature. It isn't the same thing as saying that it should be, just that it is.
That's one way of looking at it. Another way of looking at it is that pot users, and really drug users in general, are people that are comfortable subsidizing the crimes against humanity being committed in Mexico and other regions with drug related violence.
I'm not sure I really understand why it is that this makes the prohibitionists bad and the users good. Strikes me that perhaps it's a little more equal in nature.
It is extremely unlikely that any method of regulation will work that will prevent people from using marijuana on the job or in public. Current drug testing for employees will have to end - it will infringe on their right to use a legal substance. Today, you can't fire people for using sugar but you can for using any number of illegal drugs. This would change that.
First air, rail or transit accident that happens will make it clear. People are going to die, probably in large quantities. But, they will be consuming fewer resources, emitting less CO2 and overall improving the environment. So what's not to like?