How long before Marijuana is legal?
I’m hearing more and more public discussion about legalizing marijuana. It is far from being the taboo subject that it once was.
Just yesterday on the local St. Louis news, there was yet another radio interview with proponents to legalize it. The public is softening its stance against it and many convincing economic arguments are being made in favor of legalization. I see a movement gaining momentum.
The interview suggested that an estimated 100 million dollars would be won by Missouri through legalization. The figure was based upon saving money against prosecution, incarceration, war on drugs, and the resulting taxes that would be profited by the state.
The only argument against it was along the lines of not wanting to be on the road with people who are stoned. But the rebuttal pointed to comparisons with alcohol laws, stating that most people wouldn’t drive stoned just like most don’t drive drunk.
I’m gathering that all this momentum is leading towards legalization, especially as younger more liberal minded voters approach the poles.
If this is valid, I’m wondering how long do you think it will take before it is legal and actually sold on the shelves at Walmart? Will it ever be available in bulk discounts at SAM’s warehouse? Or will it be more online sales? Perhaps starter sample variety packs?
Oh, and one more very important question. If it is legalized, does that mean that everyone currently in prison for pot possession will automatically be released?
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16 Answers
Too long. I live in Texas. We will probably be one of the last states to adopt cannabis legalization when it is finally legalized at the federal level. Too many bible thumpers.
Well what do you think… 2, 5, 10 years? Ever?
Well, I know this. The Drug Sellers lobby will work hard to push legalization off as far as possible. They will be funding the anti-legalization fronts.
@Russell_D_SpacePoet – Of course I live in Austin (aka. “The Blue Island”). However, it has been my experience that support for legalization in Texas is pretty strong.
I’ve forgotten what said it, but I believe when you are imprisoned for a crime, and the circumstances change afterwards, you’re still held accountable for the crime.
You possessed pot when it was illegal, so you chose to break the law, even if it’s fine to do so now. Seems kind of odd, but wouldn’t surprise me if that’s the route it took if/when marijuana became legalized.
Hopefully not too long, man. My hope is that it is legalized within the next ten years.
@YoBob I hope the people you speak of are in power. Too many religious people in the Tx. gov. My friends and most acquaintances are in favor of it. They aren’t in power though. I love Austin btw. Been there many, many times. I remember most of them too… :)
“The only argument against it was along the lines of not wanting to be on the road with people who are stoned. But the rebuttal pointed to comparisons with alcohol laws, stating that most people wouldn’t drive stoned just like most don’t drive drunk”
If they knew the actual percentage of stoned drivers already on the road at any given time they would quickly realize there is really not much of an argument or problem here. It’s the folks liquored up or popping legal prescriptions half dazed behind the wheel IMO that are a bigger problem than stoners behind the wheel.
Nationwide? Within the next 50 years.
It’s kinda legal in some pockets of the country. High Times has conventions and somehow does that without a full-scale raid. I know some “providers” and growers, but don’t have any interest in using.
I agree that with the younger generation becoming more accepting of marijuana use and the media making it look more acceptable, it will probably become legal in my lifetime.
There will still be addicts and overusers—like with everything else.
I think there will be a number of states where it is legal within 5 years. But who knows about nationally; there are still dry counties in some states, approximately 18 million people live in a dry county in the US.
Actually @zenvelo, there are a number of states where it is legal now provided you have a prescription.
I think it could be legalized in at least some states within the next 10 years.
And once everyone gets used to the idea (assuming it becomes legalized), I could surely see it being sold in stores because I don’t think most stores would discriminate against anything that could legally (hey, or illegally in some cases! but that’s another discussion [;) bring in more money.
@YoBob Yes, I am aware of that (I live near Oakland) but it’s generally not legal in the State of California, the initiative on last year’s ballot failed.
Quick as I get the doctor to sign the paperwork
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