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Originally Posted by JFK
Take the sin part out and call it just tax  |
I call it an unjust tax...where is the sin in consuming cannabis in comparison to the items historically hit with a sin tax?
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Sin Tax: A state-sponsored tax that is added to products or services that are seen as vices, such as alcohol, tobacco and gambling. These type of taxes are levied by governments to discourage individuals from partaking in such activities without making the use of the products illegal. These taxes also provide a source of government revenue.
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Sin taxes are typically added to liquor, cigarettes and other non-luxury items. State governments favor sin taxes because they generate an enormous amount of revenue and are usually easily accepted by the general public because they are indirect taxes that only affect those who use the products. When individual states run deficits, the sin tax is typically one of the first taxes recommended by lawmakers to help fill the budget gap.
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I understand why much of the pro-marijuana lobby is pro-taxation, since they feel this will allow them to get their foot in the legalization door, however, once hooked on a tax, it is harder to ween legislators off of taxes than it is to get a junkie off of heroin.
Most of the costs associated with marijuana is for law enforcement. Cannabis related societal costs should go down substantially when cannabis is legalized (less police time arresting people, less court time prosecuting people, less/no jail time for simple possession, etc).
ADG