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Tom's Opinion on Legalizing Marijuana: Organized Crime Can't-Wait

Recently the US House of Representatives voted to decriminalize marijuana for recreational use.

By Thomas EgelhoffPublished about a year ago 5 min read
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Image by Dad Grass from Pixabay

Let's make one thing clear right off the bat.

In this post, I'm discussing legalizing marijuana for recreational use — not medical marijuana.

Medical marijuana is another issue for another time.

The question is — should marijuana be decriminalized for recreational use, the same as alcohol became, after the repeal of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution?

In April 2022, the US House of Representatives voted to decriminalize marijuana for recreational use throughout the United States. Nothing from the Senate yet.

Legalize or Decriminalize Marijuana?

There are two schools of thought on how to deal with marijuana.

One group is still resistant to full legalization but feels marijuana should be treated as a misdemeanor, not a full-blown federal offense with a lengthy prison sentence.

The second group feels that smoking a joint now and then hurts no one, and those of responsible age should be free to use marijuana, much like alcohol.

This group feels that legalization would take the profit out of marijuana, much like prohibition did with alcohol, and it could be taxed to help increase state revenues.

I'll address the fallacy of that argument later in this post.

There are Good and Bad in Both Arguments

I think there's some legitimacy in both arguments.

I'm not sure I favor full-blown legalization because I feel that if more impaired people drive or operate machinery, that's unsuitable for our society.

We already have enough drunk drivers in my home state of Montana.

Knowing that every 50th driver I meet on streets and highways is someone who has some or substantial amounts of alcohol in their system is not comforting.

Adding a few additional high folks convinced driving while high on marijuana does not affect their reaction times does not help dispel that discomfort.

Pot users tell me they'll just drive slower while eating chips.

If I were in charge and had to pick one, I would keep marijuana illegal but reduce the penalty for simple use to a misdemeanor, with a small fine or community service.

Distribution in large amounts would still carry the full extent of the law.

Legalization and Organized Crime

During prohibition, when alcohol was illegal, an organized crime made a good living supplying bootleg alcohol to illegal bars called "speakeasies."

The crime was rampant as gangs defended their territories from rivals by bombings, machine gun massacres, and intimidation.

After the repeal of prohibition, legitimate producers drove the criminals out of business because they produced a better product at a better price.

So why wouldn't the same thing work with marijuana? One simple reason—

There's "Light Beer," but no "Light Marijuana."

If I want to get drunk, I can do it with the cheapest "rotgut" wine or the most expensive Champagne.

But for most people, getting drunk is not the real reason for using alcohol.

My wife and I enjoy a nice glass of fine wine with dinner.

Not because the wine produces any "high" but because the taste, not the physical effect, enhances the meal, much like the salad dressing or steak sauce.

Marijuana is an entirely different animal from alcohol. The only reason to smoke a joint is the resulting "high" that it produces.

The better the high — the more desirable the marijuana is to the recreational user.

If the high were not crucial, you would see "light marijuana," just like light beer, non-alcoholic beer, and light cigarettes.

Legal vs. Illegal

Let's compare a legal marijuana dealer with an illegal one.

Assume you're looking for an excellent high and have two choices — legal, you, or illegal me.

What costs will you have to pass on to me to make a fair profit and keep the doors open?

Rent, electricity, phone, gasoline, vehicles, water, income taxes, payroll, workman's comp, health insurance, business license, cost of incorporation, handicapped accessibility costs, city-required parking, packaging, shelving, display counters, inventory of various types of products, security, bank fees, city inspections, wage and hour laws, OSHA compliance, credit card fees, receipts, signage, invoices, advertising, and marketing, just to name a few.

As an illegal operation, I have almost none of those costs.

I'm sure not going to be paying any income taxes, no worrying about wage and hour laws or overtime, OSHA, handicapped, no insurance worries (I would have the Smith & Wesson policy), no need for bank accounts with a cash-only business, no city license needed, word of mouth advertising is all I need, because the intensity of my high, for no extra cost, will bring me all the customers I can handle.

Besides rent, ammo, product, and a few plastic bags, I have very few costs to pass on to my customers.

I can supply a more potent product for the same price as your storefront and make a more significant profit simply by meeting your higher price.

I can mark my price up and still undercut you, sell less, and make more.

Enter Big Brother

Plus, you know that sooner or later, the government will eventually want to regulate the potency of your products, as they now do with alcohol.

AT&F (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) will become ATF&M because you all want to tax marijuana for more government revenue.

That's one of the "feel good" arguments for legalization, which will also help in driving up your costs and my profits.

In addition, and this is great, while I'm selling against you, offering a more potent marijuana formula, I can throw in a little something more powerful for you to try.

I will admit that the legal storefront might have a satisfactory high for some people.

Still, the valid user, like the wine connoisseur or alcoholic, always looks for something more robust.

Do You Want Good Pot or Discount Pot?

Most people, who favor legalization for their selfish needs, have no clue about the costs of operating a legal business or the competition that could arise from those with deeper pockets.

Where do you buy your shoes? There are discount shoe stores and high-end shoe stores.

What would you buy if the discount shoes were the same price as the high-end ones?

The government, in this case, would be the worst possible enemy for the legalized marijuana storefront.

The more intrusive government becomes, the more attractive organized crime's marijuana looks.

Especially when they start that taxing thing, what are people paying for a pack of cigarettes now, compared to just a few years ago?

There is a lot more to think about than just getting high.

I doubt legalization would eliminate all criminal drug sales. Not as long as people are selfish enough to want the highest high.

Subscriptions, pledges, and comments are always welcomed and encouraged. Thanks for reading.

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About the Creator

Thomas Egelhoff

Author, Radio Talk Show Host, blogger, YouTuber, Vietnam Vet, half-fast guitar player, average cook, and a really nice guy. I read all my articles; you should too and subscribe. Thanks very much.

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