California Might Legalize Marijuana

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Marijuana is a tool used by the criminal justice system and law enforcement to fuel the Prison industrial complex, so it can fatten the pocket of the investors.

wayno of PA 8:23AM February 12, 2010

yes i see it as a overdue way to bring back the economy im moving to cali & opening a resturant and yes weed smoking will be allowed inside $ CHA CHING $$$$

MIKE of NY 12:27PM January 26, 2010

hopefully they wont stop selling plants at dispensaries... i wanted to get one. why keep buying it and getting taxed when you could grow it urself? although, im sure all the prices will go up to accommodate the new tax. which is gonna suck...

and YES it's not even a harmful drug... caffeine is worse than MJ. makes u wonder what else we've been lied to about when all of a sudden the very thing we've seen numerous commercials and news stories telling us was bad for us is being considered for legalization where anybody of legal age can just go pick it up. as long as ur 21, of course. but, if ur under 21.. too bad. ''but, still go fight 'our' wars... wait ur over 18 right? ok good, go fight 'our' wars... but... dont drink and dont smoke pot... and give alqueda hell.'' funny stuff...

x_e_n_ of HI 1:32AM January 26, 2010

I AGREE ITS ABOUT TIME THIS COUNTRY GOT THERE HEAD OUT OF THE SAND AND LEGALIZED POT. I TOO AGREE ITS BEEN FAR TO LONG LIVING IN IGNORANCE ABOUT THE HEMP. I DON'T SMOKE IT MYSELF. BUT I GREW UP DURING THE HIPPY YEARS AND I NEVER SAW ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE USE OF POT. I SALUTE CALIFORNIA FOR AGAIN HAVING THE FORESITE OF HOPEFULLY LEGALIZING POT AND MOVING ON WITH THERE BROKE AND VERY SOON HEALED ECONOMY DUE TO THE SELLING OF POT TO THE PUBLIC. NOW THE ONES THAT REALLY NEED THE POT FOR MEDICAL REASONS DON'T NEED TO HIDE IN FEAR ABOUT IT ANYMORE. WELL DONE CALIFORNIA.

Dennis Olson of CA 9:43PM January 15, 2010

Finaly!!!!I'm not even a pot smoker but I think it is far less dangerous than alcohol.

The tax revenue that it can generate could put many of californias teachers back to work. It would lessen the burden on law enforcement & release non violent inmates back into the tax paying world( saving us tons in taxes). Some counties would see a boost in tourism. The farming communities in the Central valley would boom again. (farmers could grow Hemp as a rotation crop. hemp seed mulch increases milk production in dairy cows. hemp stalk fiber can be used for building materials).

Street gangs and drug cartels that are violent and dangerous would be put out of business in regards to marijuana.

These are all primary effects of legalization. there are still a ton of secondary monitary effects of legalization from retail to restraunts to the construction industry

Joel of CA 11:49AM January 15, 2010

This should be an historic day for all American pot smokers! I am so excited. NJ just passed medical yesterday and Washington is tomorrow. It's time to eliminate prohibition.... God bless America

mike nelson of OH 8:34AM January 12, 2010

Think of how many people visit Amsterdam annually, because they want to buy and smoke pot legally. Even Amsterdam has its limits on the amount people can possess. If California were to legalize marijuana, not only would tourism increase, bringing more much needed money to the state, but many people, myself included, would relocate to Cali. The best marijuana in the world, sold and able to be smoked legally? Count me in. I don't understand why it's even an issue. I've never heard of someone smashing a bong over someone's head in a marijuana induced rage, or getting high and going home to beat their wife and kids like people sometimes do when they're drunk. Plus, most of the damage done to the lungs isn't from the pot itself, but the paper being burned along with it in joints and blunts. There's also the issue of it burning hotter than say, a cigarette, but that can be solved easily with a vaporizer. Hell, my uncle is almost 50 years old, smokes at least 5 joints every day, each as fat as my index finger, and he still outshines most of the younger guys at the moving company he works for. Legalize it!

Tom of NY 10:38PM January 08, 2010

I agree, coming from someone who has experience drinking and smoking marijuana, ALL of the bad things that have happened to me were when I was drunk not high. The major issue is people getting over the negative stigma weed is given by those who have not tried it themselves.

jim of CA 2:07AM December 23, 2009

Let it be known that this generation wants a positive move forward to utiliziing our resources. Enough of the lies of our past politicians and special interest groups! Legalization of Marijuana? Let it be so!

Valentino of NV 9:38PM December 11, 2009

Generation after generation of our society is being brainwashed from birth. If something is illegal, we automatically view it as horrible and evil. I myself viewed marijauana this way until I tried it. The major leap we have to overcome in legalizing marijuana is reinforming the misinformed.

When I am drunk, I lose a lot of my inhibition and do a lot of things I would never do sober. When I am high, I sit in my house and stare at the wall. Stoners are much less likely to cause harm to others; yet when caught with small amounts of marijuana, they are slapped with ridiculous fines and even prison time.

If marijuana does cause cancer (which hasn't even been proven), then let the user deal with that like we've done with cigarettes all these years.

Marijuana illegalization goes against our basic human rights. In the words of Ben Harper, "My choice is what I choose to do, and if I'm causing no harm it shouldn't bother you". For god sakes it's a natural plant found in the wilderness, not a crazy concotion of cleaners some fried creeper made in his basement.

Maybe one day our nation will free itself from ignorance and actually check the facts.

Cody of IL 1:16PM December 06, 2009

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Risky Business

Risky Business

Matt Bandyk, a reporter for U.S. News, explores capitalism from where it all begins, with the entrepreneur, whose risk taking and experimentation provide the roots from which the rest of the economy grows. As much courage as it takes to create one's own business, even the entrepreneur needs some help, and this blog will look at news, trends, and practical advice for starting and running a small business.

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