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A bad argument for ending prohibition

is that the state can profit by taxing it. A group in California, calling itself Let us pay taxes, is petitioning the Govenator to support legalizing marijuana so they can help reduce California's budget deficit by getting high and paying taxes. People begging to be taxed, what are they...oh never mind.

Hit tip: Nick Gillespie Here's Walter Block on the folly of auguring for an end to drug prohibition to enrich the state.

Comments

The argument that taxing marijuana will lead to a windfall of tax revenue may not be palatable to libertarians and others who already believe in ending the drug war. That doesn't mean it is necessarily a bad argument. After all, prohibition is driven in part by greedy government officials (especially law enforcement types) who like the power and resources the drug war gives them. Playing to the self-interests of allegedly cash-strapped politicians may just work.

After all, I'd rather have the state blow money on something besides putting people in prison for no good reason...maintaining bridges maybe?

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