I am opposed to the legalization of marijuana.
There, I said it.
By making that statement, to some people I have just thrown in with the members of the Westboro Church as a hated member of social media that should be shamed and ridiculed mercilessly for my non-progressive attitude toward a "harmless plant that has medicinal benefits", and could "make millions for the state of Oklahoma if it is legalized here".
I have heard those arguments and alleged connections with scripture...somehow linking the mention of the word "green" and the fact that God put all seed-bearing plants on planet earth for his children to enjoy, which broadly covers everything from pot to tomatoes. Of course, "green" also includes poison ivy, hemlock, West Indian lilac, and any number of other plants lethal to man that are both green and seed bearing, but those are the proverbial "men behind the curtain", along with a few other things.
This like so much of the world as I cruise over the hump into middle age, puzzles me.
The funny thing is that my opposition to the legalization of this drug is not what many would assume it to be.
Indeed, I would not have any objection to it if it weren't for people who just want to get high are using any and all methods to push it past the average, God-fearing, pure air breathing Okies.
Though I spent a good portion of my life locking the doors behind people who were charged with possessing the plant and distributing it, my objections is not based in any of the law enforcement employment I have had over the years. I also am not questioning the medicinal value of the plant either, but again, some of the studies published have me skeptical as they will invariably state that they are "independent and non-biased" but if you were to dig deep into who funds those studies you will find NORML, or the Department Of Justice or someone who would do some book-cooking to skew the results.
All that aside, my objection is purely financial in nature.
You see, the thing that makes me laugh the most is the overuse of the amount of tax money that it's bringing in to the states where it's legal. Since we are a poor state by and large, and we have a bunch of idiot legislators who are more concerned about statues on the capitol green, tax breaks for an NBA team that only a few people can afford to go see, and other shiny things that distract them away from roads, infrastructure, and education. This would be a new toy for them to abuse, and not use for any purpose that will benefit the state in any way.
I often reference the state lottery as a prime example to shut down those who inevitably correlate how the millions of dollars of tax money this would raise because Oklahoma sucks at using money. The reasoning to have a lottery was pretty cut and dried: surrounding states had lotteries that had them swimming in cash and some of that was coming from people who would cross the border and play.
The lottery was put to a vote in 2004 and was approved by the voters to help benefit education in Oklahoma. Well the money started rolling in and after a few token advances in the states education coffers, the significance of the lottery dwindled while education in Oklahoma sputtered. It was recently ranked 49th in the nation...after ten years of the lottery...and a little over a month ago teachers shut down schools statewide to rally on the capitol steps for better pay.
The legalization movement assumes that the same legislature that brought us a failed economy, abysmal education, and washboard roads and turnpikes will have this huge epiphany and all of a sudden come to their senses about money. I am not so sure. This is Oklahoma, and when it comes to our elected officials, if a good thing can be screwed up all you need to do is give it to those morons in the state house...you know, the ones who can't scrape together enough money to fix the capitol building while big chunks of it fall on their desks?
The financial end of this also assumes that all of the dealers will march right into their city hall or local state office buildings and sign up for tax stamps, which will require them to register with the state and pay an annual fee. Not real sure what that will entail or how it will be administered but, given the generally ass-backward nature of our leaders they will likely make them take an ironic drug test, and refuse to issue a tax stamp if someone has THC in their system.
Seems strange, I know but this is Oklahoma, where whale hunting is expressly forbidden...a law still on the books.
If it were me, and I was one who partakes of the plant I would concentrate on getting legislators in office who were first sympathetic to the cause and who knew how to use the money raised to benefit the state. Right now there are far too few of those types in the legislature...plus the Governor, who has stated publicly that she is opposed to and will strenuously fight against legalization. once that is done...and a new governor elected who is more sympathetic to the cause and uses money wisely, THEN put it to a vote.
What's the point in having millions of dollars in tax money if it's going to be wasted on silverware for the governors mansion, floor seats to Thunder games for people who can't find Oklahoma on a map, and the occasional replacement of a bridge that isn't in need of replacement, while kids have to ride a eight-ton school bus over a bridge that dates back to statehood?
I get it...people want to get high. just don't insult the intelligence of people slapping the idea of the state swimming in revenue when we elect total morons who don't know how to spend it right.
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