Re:How to Buy Drugs
by Darkphibre on Tuesday November 05, 2019 @07:24PM
(#21458495)
I'm guessing they have the same issue with Alcohol. Why would a poorly implemented existing example assuage their concerns?
I do worry about it in the case of tobacco. I think the big push to ban nicotine vaping is driven by big tobacco, and politicians cashing in on the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement: it created really perverse incentives where states literally receive a portion of all tobacco sales, which can add up to a huge amount. Anything that reduces that is directly an attack on the state's budget.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_Master_Settlement_Agre...
you are assuming a lot about GP, how do you know they don't also oppose alcohol taxes?
personally, I accept grudgingly that tax dollars may be necessary to "sweeten the pot" of legalization for people who are otherwise opposed or apathetic towards it. ideally, the tax would go directly towards funding rehab for those who want it and be revenue neutral overall, but let's not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Re:How to Buy Drugs
by spacemanmatt on Wednesday November 06, 2019 @08:53AM
(#21462552)
I think alcohol should be taxed the same as food. This is a product of a lot of experience with alcoholism among friends and family. IMO we should be considering the epidemic as a symptom, in addition to providing addiction treatment/support as needed.
Re:How to Buy Drugs
by snagglegaggle on Wednesday November 06, 2019 @03:02PM
(#21466546)
>Do you loose a lot of sleep over the fact that the government is doing this today with, for example, alcohol?
Not OP, but yes.
Do you loose a lot of sleep over the fact that the government is doing this today with, for example, alcohol? Alcohol is an insanely destructive drug. It decimates families, relationships, careers, lives, etc. No one at all seems to say the government need to "stop profiting off the taxes". It frankly never comes up. Sure we talk a lot about how to help those who reach the stages of addiction, but there's never guilt over the tax revenue.
I'm asking you to honestly think why this is any different.