This week we’ve been asking listeners to suggest big ideas on how to fix the economy. We’ve discussed raising inflation, boosting housing prices, and capping total compensation for CEOs at $5 million. A few Takeaway listeners called in to offer one of their own: legalizing marijuana. Some say the government would save billions of dollars a year by not policing and prosecuting marijuana crimes, and that legalizing and taxing pot would bring in billions of dollars.
We're consulting Harvard Unviersity economics professor Jeffrey Miron about whether or not it's an economy-saving idea.
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Comments [4]
It looks as if there is a troll that is afraid to make a comment...just goes around pushing the thumbs down button. Don't be scared...we won't go off too bad!
Marijuana is the safest drug with actual benefits for the user as opposed to alcohol which is dangerous, causes addiction, birth defects, and affects literally every organ in the body. Groups are organizing all over the country to speak their minds on reforming pot laws. I drew up a very cool poster for the cause which you can check out on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/01/vote-teapot-2011.html Drop in and let me know what you think!
Here's one for your Dr. Suess / Economy
The economy could get a
big boost from the "green"!
The legalization of
Hemp and Marijuana, I mean!
There is money to be made,
but it's yet to be seen
Our government doesn't believe
in the "American Dream"!
Grow hemp outdoors,
And Marijuana inside...
The economy will be boom!
and dealers won't hide.
No longer considered criminals,
but entrepreneurs...
How many people will be
employed by their stores?
The uses for hemp are too numerous to list.
But, they say Marijuana is bad...What?
is there something I missed?
The side effects of weed is
cottonmouth and the munchies!
I'd like a drink and something crunchy!
Think of the grocery baskets being filled!
Oh, the greenhouses, the grow rooms,
the dispensaries they'll build!
The 40,000 less Mexicans killed!
It's mind-boggling,
the profits to be made!
President Obama won't talk about it
because he's afraid!
We all know it will happen
one of these days!
I can't believe this isn't backed
by Hostess and Lays!
The time is now
and the laws are unjust!
The "War on Drugs" is a failure
and legalization a must!
God made the plant!
Now who do you trust?
Stand up, America!
Go Green or Go Bust!
spendings savings, new tax income, yes but if you did it right (keep the big corporations out) you could create millions of new jobs in agriculture, distribution and retail.
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