Drug Legalization and Tax Revenue

~ Jason Schwartz

Ugghh!

I hate this argument for legalization. I also think it’s the wrong way to go about it if legalization were to come to pass.

Think for a moment about the power of the alcohol and tobacco lobbies. (In Michigan it’s been impossible to raise liquor taxes.) Think about their marketing power. Think about their place in our culture.

Is that what we want for marijuana?

I fear that capitalism, legalization and out political system are likely to be an ugly combination.

If we were to legalize, I like Mark Kleiman’s proposal to keep sale illegal and legalize people growing their own on a limited scale.

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Published by Jason Schwartz

I have been an addiction professional and social worker since 1994. I started blogging in 2005 as the Clinical Director at Dawn Farm. I currently serve as the Director of Social Work and Spiritual Care for a healthcare system. I've also served as the Director of Behavioral Health at another hospital. I'm also a lecturer at Eastern Michigan University’s School of Social Work. Views expressed here are my own. Keep in mind that the field, the contexts in which the field operates, and my views have changed over time.

One thought on “Drug Legalization and Tax Revenue”

  1. I think the comment about our political system is right on. That is a moral issue that needs to be settled in a voting booth. Also the revamping of the legality of donating to politicians by our industries needs fixing to ensure our system performs in the best interest of the citizens in all areas. If Marijuana is not legalized it will continue to overload our jails and prisons and keep the current broken system going.

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