I just saw this story on my local news and had to post it here. Apparently it's true. This is absolutely ridiculous. What the hell are taxes for? I'm gonna stop right here, cause if i get going on this, i'll get myself timed out or banned. http://newsroom.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/18/paying-for-911/
Wow, that's pretty sick. California is only prolonging their deficit issue by dragging their feet on legalization and taxation of marijuana, every passing day makes things worse.
I can imagine: "Call 911!" "I'm not going to because I can't afford it!" "Hurry! I'm having a heart attack! -dies-"
Been in the news for a while now, in my city there not responding to all calls. Tons of domestic disputes not getting broken up, robberies not being investigated, prisoners being released... I'm starting to hate california.
Absolute bullshit, if you ask me. They are making CA residents pay because they(Politicians) have screwed up the local economy so much that now they have to throw out BS like this to try and make up for their deficit. Where's all the 'T2' money at Arnie!? Also, I do honestly believe that the legalization/regulation of marijuana would take care of the deficit(to an extent). Plus there would most likely be less 911 calls because folks(speaking solely from personal experience) wouldn't be out on the streets, getting into shenanigans and causing crimes that warrant 911 calls. They'd be more content staying home, with the fam, feeling relaxed... Obviously there's more to it than that, but that's just my 2 quids/cents/pesos/etc.
Problem is, all the future doctors, teachers and productive members of society would also be home, with the fam, feeling relaxed...instead of at college.
That kind of stereotypical thinking is ridiculous and insulting. If society can handle legal alcohol it can also handle legal marijuana, only a very small fraction of pot users get stoned everyday just as a very small number of drinkers get drunk everyday. To assume people will start to abuse it simply because it's legal is both paranoid and irrational.
Yep, we're broke My tuition this year was increased ~30% from last year, and all teachers are now required to take 10 unpaid days off sometime during the semester. Also, Composers' masterclass was cancelled and now runs on volunteering professors and student donations..
The following would result from legalization and taxation: + Millions of new tax dollars entering the economy would take the strain off the state's massive debt + It would greatly benefit California's overcrowded prison system which is currently over capacity + Cops would have more time and resources to devote to violent crime, something I would imagine is greatly needed in LA + Tourism would boom bringing in new money from pot tourists which means new jobs and new businesses to accommodate them - A short yet noticeable spike in usage which will cause conservative opponents to freak out - Certain areas might change drastically over time to accommodate smokers, "smoking neighborhoods" might pop up over the years - New technology might be brought in to cover new legal "gray areas" such as Phillips' siliva testing breathalyzer that can detect cannabis in a person's system weeks after use
As much as I am an opponent of drugs, I recognize the relatively harmless effect of marijuana and think it should be legalized. The tax revenue from that alone would be a massive injection to city, state and federal coffers, and its effects would largely be no worse than alcohol. (With a few exceptions -- but alcohol also has its own health issues that pot doesn't, so it evens out.) It likely won't ever come to pass though. There are enough dems that oppose the idea, and I'd wager almost all pubbies do, too, especially if any significant portion of dems support it. Charging $300 for 911 calls, however, is mind-numbingly retarded.
