As 3 states mull marijuana legalization, experts warn: 'Beware'

As 3 states mull marijuana legalization, experts warn: 'Beware' - latimes.com


WASHINGTON -- Legalizing marijuana in even a single state could drive down prices dramatically across the country, encouraging more people to smoke the drug, a panel of experts said at a briefing Tuesday.

Last week, Oregon became the third state that will vote this November on a ballot measure to legalize marijuana, joining Colorado and Washington.

“Legalization is unprecedented – not even the Netherlands has done it – it is entirely possible it will happen this year,” said Jonathan Caulkins, co-author of "Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know."

“The effects will be enormous,” said Caulkins, a professor at Carnegie Mellon, during an event at the American Enterprise Institute.

The Obama administration opposes legalizing marijuana and has taken action to shut down some medical marijuana dispensaries in California and Colorado.

Caulkins said one of the main reasons for outlawing the drug is to make it riskier to produce and sell, driving up prices and curbing use. A price collapse following legalization in some states could undermine marijuana laws nationally, the experts warned.

Caulkins said Colorado’s proposition would allow residents to obtain a grower’s license fairly easily, making the state a good home for exporters of marijuana.

“They would be able to provide marijuana to New York state markets at one quarter of the current price,” he said, predicting similar price declines in other states.

Mark Kleiman, a professor of public policy at UCLA, said his advice to federal officials would be “to sit down with the governor of the state and say, 'Look, we can make your life completely miserable -- and we will - unless you figure out a way to avoid the exports.”

One option would be to impose strict limits on how much of the drug retailers could sell to each customer.

Washington’s proposal would present authorities with a different problem. The state is proposing to create a strong system of regulations with the aim of propping up prices. Caulkins said the federal government could strike down the regulations but would leave a free-for-all behind.

“The federal government will face some really difficult choices where actions are like double-edged swords,” Caulkins said.

They're going to have to face it some day. No time like the present, I say.

Mark Kleiman, a professor of public policy at UCLA, said his advice to federal officials would be “to sit down with the governor of the state and say, 'Look, we can make your life completely miserable -- and we will - unless you figure out a way to avoid the exports.”
The fuck?

These guys are retarded.

Legalizing marijuana in even a single state could drive down prices dramatically across the country, encouraging more people to smoke the drug, a panel of experts said at a briefing Tuesday.

Like that's a bad thing? It's socially acceptable to get shitfaced at happy hour, but oh god you're a fuckin' horrible person if you touch the green stuff. Assclowns and their scare tactics...

I think it'd be great if more people would smoke and less people would drink. The world would be healthier physically and mentally.

I think it'd be great if more people would smoke and less people would drink. The world would be healthier physically and mentally.

And probably more innovative.

Caulkins said one of the main reasons for outlawing the drug is to make it riskier to produce and sell, driving up prices and curbing use. A price collapse following legalization in some states could undermine marijuana laws nationally, the experts warned.

Words cannot begin to explain how angry this paragraph makes me.

To believe such ignorance you would have to assert that; Since MJ has been "outlawed" less and less people continue to use/produce/sell MJ. It takes only 10 minutes of looking at this website to figure out that such things are becoming easier and more widely known. You would also have to believe this downright absurd idea that price curbs use.

Why can't I argue with these people? I would put them to shame and then some.

They would refuse to "waste their time" if someone advocating legalization tried speaking with them.
That part pissed me off horribly too. The media reports contradictory stuff all the time.

They are just trying to use scare tactics to keep people in the dark about the true effects of legalization of Cannabis. That is why we must keep up the fight in spreading the truth about the whole thing.

Haha you bring Anyone into this thread to read, and is a pot smoker, they won't get discouraged. They'll be more inspired than anything Since a college professor states its going to bring the prices down nation wide

...so the 'cost of enforcing the law' as an excuse to keep it illegal...remember how that worked with alcohol people...yep...sure is a 'valid' argument huh...

My uncle used to be a hardcore alchohalic ad then he started smoking weed about 6 months ago and hasnt touched the bottle since
Also where would you rather buy your weed from across the border putting money into the mexican economy or right here in the states putting money back in the US economy.



When they made alchohal illegal how did the people get there right to drink back?

Edited by CrowClaw, 18 July 2012 - 02:55 PM.

How do we get the goverment to listen to us im sure there are enough stoners let alone people who just happen to smoke that arent "stoners" like lawyers doctors architechs school teachers and any other job ,social class,race or age that legalization shouldnt even be a question

Mark Kleiman, a professor of public policy at UCLA, said his advice to federal officials would be “to sit down with the governor of the state and say, 'Look, we can make your life completely miserable -- and we will - unless you figure out a way to avoid the exports.”
The fuck?

The first time I read this article last night I was baffled by this quote as well. Does anyone have any idea what the fuck 'avoid exports' means? Ankle bracelets on anyone buying weed?? I really cannot understand what method of controlling state to state 'exports' are being alluded to here

bring it to 1/4 price? $5 a G for some dank?!?!? <3

Mark Kleiman, a professor of public policy at UCLA, said his advice to federal officials would be “to sit down with the governor of the state and say, 'Look, we can make your life completely miserable -- and we will - unless you figure out a way to avoid the exports.”
The fuck?

Sounds a bit like extorsion to me

Sounds a bit like extorsion to me

Dude, It's the government. What else would it be? They try to get you with misinformation, and when that doesn't work, they extort you. Politicians

The old hags in government, and the corporations are just being frustrated with the fact that illegal marijuana will eventually be abrogated and become legal. I don't care what anyone says, Pot will become legal eventually. It's going to be inevitable as the years go by. I don't understand why tobacco companies don't lobby for marijuana legalization. They could make billions, since cigarette regulations are becoming stricter, meaning profits eventually go down

Totally agree ^

Tobacco companies could make so much MORE money if they had weed products. Packs of pre-rolled joints or spliffs, etc.. Alcohol companies could have weed liquor products.