OT:

[JWBinDC]

I believe the original poster was talking about extraction of minerals.

Yes, and you kind of indicated all things are finite, and we know that's not the case. For instance, opinions on the Blue Lot.....:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

My point is that pot is no worse and possibly significantly more benign than a lot of other crap that's killing us. Sugar, factory-made processed foods, alcohol, tobacco, etc.

Also, consider the costs of law enforcement and encarceration along with the fact that illegal pot production isn't taxed or otherwise regulated and monitored. Pretty major economic impact of legalization that is very hard to dispute. You are taking an activity for which we incur massive economic and social costs (like jailing more people than any other country on the planet) for which we currently receive no revenue, and completely flipping the equation where you are eliminating a huge chunk of the cost and generating significant revenues. For a state like WV, it would be a significant benefit.

 

[WVUBean]

It's just not going to produce massive tax revenues that are going to alleviate lost tax revenues from more prosperous businesses.

Do you have a source on these prosperous businesses that Colorado, Oregon, and Washington have lost? I don't see how it would do anything but bring in people from out of state who would insert money into the economy for tourism, restaurants, hotels, etc. You'd need to hire inspectors to make sure that things are run in accordance with state regulations. The more prosperous businesses in the state are not paying the taxes they probably should be anyway due to the breaks the government gave them to come to WV in the first place. And many seem to be shedding jobs like crazy. I don't live in WV anymore, but I see the paradigm shift coming and WV can be at the forefront or play from behind as usual. It's already big business in the state illegally. Why not regulate and tax it?

 

[WVUJabroni_rivals]

This is OT but wanted to get some thoughts on this. Personally, I think this would be an economic and cultural game changer for WV.

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/gazett...portunity-if-we-push-out-of-our-comfort-zone-

A big difference is Denver is a good size IT and Federal jobs hub prior to the legalization. I don't think it's as simple as make it legal and they will come.

 

[Sarasotaeer]

This is OT but wanted to get some thoughts on this. Personally, I think this would be an economic and cultural game changer for WV.

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/gazett...portunity-if-we-push-out-of-our-comfort-zone-

I've lived and traveled all over this country, and Colorado is the one state I would move back to in a second if I had the opportunity. They have a rich mining and extraction tradition, but they value the environment and their wild places more than anything. They understand community and recreation. Even the small mountain towns thrive. They get it. We could learn a lot from Colorado, and this is no exception.

 

[WVU enginEER]

We don't try new things here.... It has been this way forever and we ain't changing for no damn hippies.

I knew a lot of hippies. Their hair is a lot shorter now and they use their tie-dyed shirts to wax their BMW's

 

[Airport]

Yes, and you kind of indicated all things are finite, and we know that's not the case. For instance, opinions on the Blue Lot.....:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

My point is that pot is no worse and possibly significantly more benign than a lot of other crap that's killing us. Sugar, factory-made processed foods, alcohol, tobacco, etc.

Also, consider the costs of law enforcement and encarceration along with the fact that illegal pot production isn't taxed or otherwise regulated and monitored. Pretty major economic impact of legalization that is very hard to dispute. You are taking an activity for which we incur massive economic and social costs (like jailing more people than any other country on the planet) for which we currently receive no revenue, and completely flipping the equation where you are eliminating a huge chunk of the cost and generating significant revenues. For a state like WV, it would be a significant benefit.

Sugar isn't a drug like the others are. You might be right about WV and it being good for the state since you have the crazy disability laws not encouraging business to come to WV. You have to have laws and if you think that drugs aren't a problem, more power to you. I guess you could move to Switzerland where they can use drugs out in the open and see how that works for them. Of course, the rest of the world doesn't depend on the great Swiss military might to defend the world.

 

[Airport]

Do you have a source on these prosperous businesses that Colorado, Oregon, and Washington have lost? I don't see how it would do anything but bring in people from out of state who would insert money into the economy for tourism, restaurants, hotels, etc. You'd need to hire inspectors to make sure that things are run in accordance with state regulations. The more prosperous businesses in the state are not paying the taxes they probably should be anyway due to the breaks the government gave them to come to WV in the first place. And many seem to be shedding jobs like crazy. I don't live in WV anymore, but I see the paradigm shift coming and WV can be at the forefront or play from behind as usual. It's already big business in the state illegally. Why not regulate and tax it?

My point isn't what they are going to lose, it's what you can't get to WV because t=of the laws that are in place. My understanding is the right to work has been passed, now get rid of those disability laws that inhibit new business and you might get some growth.

 

[Lydeck]

ITT a bunch of people that need to smoke a bowl and chill.

 

[wvuhskr]

Tavon is having a tough night. I'm going to leave this here.

https://learnaboutsam.org/wp-conten...ATION-OF-MARIJUANA-IN-COLORADO-THE-IMPACT.pdf

Legalization seems like an outstanding idea to me...

You aren't helping your argument by posting content from an anti-marijuana lobbying group that's funded by alcohol companies.. That's what SAM is.

 

[JWBinDC]

Sugar isn't a drug like the others are. You might be right about WV and it being good for the state since you have the crazy disability laws not encouraging business to come to WV. You have to have laws and if you think that drugs aren't a problem, more power to you. I guess you could move to Switzerland where they can use drugs out in the open and see how that works for them. Of course, the rest of the world doesn't depend on the great Swiss military might to defend the world.

Debatable about sugar. Nonetheless, it is an addictive substance that causes a multitude of health issues.....many of which are far more serious than any potential effects of marijuana. Obesity, diabetes and other diet-related illnesses are huge problems for the state. I didn't ever say drugs aren't a problem, but we were talking about one specific drug. I know you have a history with this, so I understand your feelings. By the way, how do think the decades old drug war of interdiction and mass incarceration are working out? Do you think alcohol should be legal?

Curious, how much have you traveled in the world? You bring up Switzerland, so I thought I would ask. I've been there three times, and it's incredibly clean and safe with amazing public services. We have a great country, but surely any intelligent person knows that we don't have a monopoly on how best to deal with all challenges under the sun.

 

[Airport]

Debatable about sugar. Nonetheless, it is an addictive substance that causes a multitude of health issues.....many of which are far more serious than any potential effects of marijuana. Obesity, diabetes and other diet-related illnesses are huge problems for the state. I didn't ever say drugs aren't a problem, but we were talking about one specific drug. I know you have a history with this, so I understand your feelings. By the way, how do think the decades old drug war of interdiction and mass incarceration are working out? Do you think alcohol should be legal?

Curious, how much have you traveled in the world? You bring up Switzerland, so I thought I would ask. I've been there three times, and it's incredibly clean and safe with amazing public services. We have a great country, but surely any intelligent person knows that we don't have a monopoly on how best to deal with all challenges under the sun.

1. Sugar is not addictive in the truest sense. You will not go thru withdrawal if sugar is taken out of your diet. You re wrong on that one.
2. Being fat is not an addictive problem, it is an eating problem.
3.I have not been to Switzsrland but I have seen enough documentaries, 60 mins was one of them and they are liberal on CBS, and it wasn't all that great seeing people out in the parks with needles and getting high. It's just my opinion.
4. Drug interdiction has worked to the point that you know you will go to jail if caught packing dangerous drugs into the US. They are dangerous, cocaine etc,
5. There are safe levels of alcohol, there are no safe levels of the drugs you are trying to legalize. You can look that up and see that. I'm not saying some people can't use cocaine and not get addicted but many people can take a drink of liquor and not get addicted, not true about hard drugs.
5. Switzerland exists to harbor bad people's money and they don't worry about defending the world or anybody else. They are narcicisstic in the way they handle business. Anything goes. When was the last time Switzerland led an effort to overthrow a dictiator? Surely they helped in WW2? Oh, that's right, they hid much of Germany's stolen assets from other countries. A truly wonderful country.
6. My point of marijuana was that it will not generate enough taxable income to make it a boon. I think WV should get it's financial house in order by emulating it's neighbors in making laws that benefit business. RTWork and disability laws, corporate income tax laws etc. Whatever is good for capital, WV should do it.

 

[wvtinman]

I'm not trying to convince anyone on this subject. However, WV is and has been in the Top 5 for most of the negative (Unhealthiest, Most Obese, Under-educated, Poorest, etc.) categories they track for states. I would think at some point people would say ... lets try something different because the one thing we know is how well we've done or not done to-date.

Las Vegas has built a robust economy in the desert on gambling and hookers .... geeesh.

Please be quiet and drink your raw milk. Lol

 

[Sarasotaeer]

Please be quiet and drink your raw milk. Lol

[roll]

 

[The Elf]

I knew a lot of hippies. Their hair is a lot shorter now and they use their tie-dyed shirts to wax their BMW's

I hope their old tie-dyes were made of microfiber. I would hate for them to scratch their clear coat. .

 

[Diggs59_rivals]

I'm defintely for this but can not ever see it happening

The state of West Virginia would be absolutely crazy not to get on this immediately. Instead of sitting back and letting other states pave the way and in the end leave us (WV) sucking hind tit, it would behoove of our politicians to be part of the spearheading.

This subject is an absolute game changer for the states declining economy and I hope our "leaders" have the foresight to jump all over this. Like you though, it would shock me if it happens.

I do know for a fact (I have connections to political personnel in the coal fields) that a certain recent elected (seat for) Senator is all for this happening. That's at least a start....

 

[WVU86]

You aren't helping your argument by posting content from an anti-marijuana lobbying group that's funded by alcohol companies.. That's what SAM is.

I know. For someone that's ready to believe what's written in the pro-pot press on Facebook, I'm sure that's true. But if you want to look at the data sources, I can't argue with the police departments and the school systems. But given a presumption of bias because of funding, I can see where someone would want to question everything. And I'm good with that. What I don't get is why someone wouldn't want to question the claims being made in a very biased, pro pot press?

Tobacco use has been waning in the last decade. They are actually looking for other products to bring to the market. I'm seeing fields of a different kind of tobaccy in the Carolinas and Virginia in the future. And that industry has a nice record of producing products that are good for us.

I don't know if it is a gateway drug or not. I will tell you that there is a significant portion of the population that is susceptible to experimentation with drug use, then dependency. Specifically, those that suffer from any mental illness should not be partaking. They will be dependent. And if you doubt it, I present the innocent and valid, short term use of prescription narcotics in some people. Pot isn't addictive like that, I know. Maybe it will take longer and need repeated use, but there's a chance that there's a switch for pot in some people too. We don't know. I'd like to find out first. And unfortunately, the country's mental health issues and needs are no where close to being met. And maybe that is part of the reason that the war on drugs has failed, as much as anything else.

And specifically to WV, you will never be able to grow enough pot to make up for the lost tax base if the coal industry continues to take it's nose dive. I think that is what Airport is inferring. But hey, at least you'll be comfortably numb.

 

[JWBinDC]

1. Sugar is not addictive in the truest sense. You will not go thru withdrawal if sugar is taken out of your diet. You re wrong on that one.
2. Being fat is not an addictive problem, it is an eating problem.
3.I have not been to Switzsrland but I have seen enough documentaries, 60 mins was one of them and they are liberal on CBS, and it wasn't all that great seeing people out in the parks with needles and getting high. It's just my opinion.
4. Drug interdiction has worked to the point that you know you will go to jail if caught packing dangerous drugs into the US. They are dangerous, cocaine etc,
5. There are safe levels of alcohol, there are no safe levels of the drugs you are trying to legalize. You can look that up and see that. I'm not saying some people can't use cocaine and not get addicted but many people can take a drink of liquor and not get addicted, not true about hard drugs.
5. Switzerland exists to harbor bad people's money and they don't worry about defending the world or anybody else. They are narcicisstic in the way they handle business. Anything goes. When was the last time Switzerland led an effort to overthrow a dictiator? Surely they helped in WW2? Oh, that's right, they hid much of Germany's stolen assets from other countries. A truly wonderful country.
6. My point of marijuana was that it will not generate enough taxable income to make it a boon. I think WV should get it's financial house in order by emulating it's neighbors in making laws that benefit business. RTWork and disability laws, corporate income tax laws etc. Whatever is good for capital, WV should do it.

No safe levels of marijuana??? That's just stupid. I did not advocate for the legalization of any other drugs, so you're wrong there too.

Drug interdiction has failed, and we have both the highest aggregate number and by percentage of people incarcerated for drugs, and it hasn't made a dent in use at all. FAIL

Congrats on your documentary watching. Seeing the real world in person is different.

Switzerland existed long before it was a modern financial center. It exists because.....it's a freaking country. Also, who cares what their role is. There's lots of other examples of other countries that have vastly different approaches and policies relative to "drugs". Many of them are arguably more effective than what we do.

You have no idea whether or not marijuana would generate enough taxable income. Be specific. What amount would make it a boon? What is the basis for your assertion? Other states are collecting tens and hundreds of millions of dollars annually from taxing marijuana. That also doesn't include the benefit of vastly lower enforcement costs, by the way.

 

[Airport]

No safe levels of marijuana??? That's just stupid. I did not advocate for the legalization of any other drugs, so you're wrong there too.

Drug interdiction has failed, and we have both the highest aggregate number and by percentage of people incarcerated for drugs, and it hasn't made a dent in use at all. FAIL

Congrats on your documentary watching. Seeing the real world in person is different.

Switzerland existed long before it was a modern financial center. It exists because.....it's a freaking country. Also, who cares what their role is. There's lots of other examples of other countries that have vastly different approaches and policies relative to "drugs". Many of them are arguably more effective than what we do.

You have no idea whether or not marijuana would generate enough taxable income. Be specific. What amount would make it a boon? What is the basis for your assertion? Other states are collecting tens and hundreds of millions of dollars annually from taxing marijuana. That also doesn't include the benefit of vastly lower enforcement costs, by the way.

We incarcerate a lot that's true. That does not mean it's a failure, it means that we have a lot of criminals. Tell me where you have scientific evidence that there are safe levels of Marijuana. I just said that marijuana isn't going to be a boon as lomg as it is illegal in all the surrounding states. I would be interested in seeing how much tax revenues are produced but I would think you would be better served to change the tax laws, disability laws etc before changing marijuana laws, If jobs are really what you are after. The way the state was run before with all the stupid laws that were in effect is more a detriment than marijuana for job growth. Of course, the economy will never get better as long as we have aCA preventing job growth and excutive orders that do nothing but discourage job growth. I advised a young man this past weekend to not provide any benefits for his employees. He's small enough to avoid it, but as the employees get older, the cost gets to be too much.

 

[JWBinDC]

We incarcerate a lot that's true. That does not mean it's a failure, it means that we have a lot of criminals. Tell me where you have scientific evidence that there are safe levels of Marijuana. I just said that marijuana isn't going to be a boon as lomg as it is illegal in all the surrounding states. I would be interested in seeing how much tax revenues are produced but I would think you would be better served to change the tax laws, disability laws etc before changing marijuana laws, If jobs are really what you are after. The way the state was run before with all the stupid laws that were in effect is more a detriment than marijuana for job growth. Of course, the economy will never get better as long as we have aCA preventing job growth and excutive orders that do nothing but discourage job growth. I advised a young man this past weekend to not provide any benefits for his employees. He's small enough to avoid it, but as the employees get older, the cost gets to be too much.

We have more criminals than every other country? Very interesting.. We must suck as a country and society then.

 

[NJMountie]

I will get on my soapbox for just a second. Sugar (white sugar primarily) kills millions and millions of people per year thru obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Something to the tune of 40 million worldwide. Think about that for a second and diabetes is only growing in America so it will get worse. Sugar is far worse than any vice you can cite including alcohol, drugs or even war or auto-related deaths combined.

If you want to blame weed for anything then ... place the blame on the munchies that are produced from weed that leads to eating sugary snacks and drinks late at night ... LOL

 

[Airport]

I will get on my soapbox for just a second. Sugar (white sugar primarily) kills millions and millions of people per year thru obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Something to the tune of 40 million worldwide. Think about that for a second and diabetes is only growing in America so it will get worse. Sugar is far worse than any vice you can cite including alcohol, drugs or even war or auto-related deaths combined.

If you want to blame weed for anything then ... place the blame on the munchies that are produced from weed that leads to eating sugary snacks and drinks late at night ... LOL

He said sugar was addictive. In the truest sense it is not. You do not go into withdrawal when it is removed.

 

[JWBinDC]

He said sugar was addictive. In the truest sense it is not. You do not go into withdrawal when it is removed.

Yeah, that's why so many people are hooked on it and regularly consume massive quantities. Not addictive at all.......

 

[Airport]

We have more criminals than every other country? Very interesting.. We must suck as a country and society then.

Liberalism has its problems. One is people not taking responsible for their own destructive behavior. As we have gotten more permissive, or dismissive of our actions, the country has gotten worse. We are a very large country with a very diverse population. Does one segment of that population commit more crimes by percentage than other segments? I believe you know that answer so you need to delve into what causes that. It's not bad laws, it's bad behavior.

 

[Airport]

Yeah, that's why so many people are hooked on it and regularly consume massive quantities. Not addictive at all.......

It is not addictive. Caffeine in the drinks is more addictive. If it were addictive, you could not switch to artificial sweetners. You are not being honest in your dissertation on sugar. Consuming it doesn't mean it's addictive. You need to examine theother things that are put into it. Caffeine is addictive to a certain point. It is stupid to compare sugar to hard line drugs. By the way, if you drink sugar drinks do you go out and buy a pizza or Doritos? Does it make you lay down and go to sleep?

 

[Airport]

I will get on my soapbox for just a second. Sugar (white sugar primarily) kills millions and millions of people per year thru obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Something to the tune of 40 million worldwide. Think about that for a second and diabetes is only growing in America so it will get worse. Sugar is far worse than any vice you can cite including alcohol, drugs or even war or auto-related deaths combined.

If you want to blame weed for anything then ... place the blame on the munchies that are produced from weed that leads to eating sugary snacks and drinks late at night ... LOL

Failure to exercise is more destructive than sugar.

 

[Mountaineer Gooch]

I will get on my soapbox for just a second. Sugar (white sugar primarily) kills millions and millions of people per year thru obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Something to the tune of 40 million worldwide. Think about that for a second and diabetes is only growing in America so it will get worse. Sugar is far worse than any vice you can cite including alcohol, drugs or even war or auto-related deaths combined.

If you want to blame weed for anything then ... place the blame on the munchies that are produced from weed that leads to eating sugary snacks and drinks late at night ... LOL

Great... Now, weed causes onset diabetes...

 

[JWBinDC]

Failure to exercise is more destructive than sugar.

Many scientists disagree with you. You should hang out in a WV Walmart sometime, and no....don't watch a documentary.

So, by your definition pot isn't addictive either. You do realize that there are other forms of addiction than physical, right? Large amounts of refined sugar absolutely alter body chemistry and can have devastating health effects. Going out and running a marathon won't change that.

 

[NJMountie]

(airport) I don't think I used the word "addiction" anywhere in my post regarding sugar. Sugar only causes millions of deaths thru the 3 things I mentioned.

"According to the most recent data, adult obesity rates now exceed 35 percent in four states, 30 percent in 25 states and are above 20 percent in all states. Louisiana has the highest adult obesity rate at 36.2 percent and Colorado has the lowest at 20.2 percent."

Thats interesting to say the least. There goes my theory about weed and late-night sugary snacks and drinks.

"Mississippi has the highest rate of diabetes at 14.7 percent. Ten of the 12 states with the highest type 2 diabetes rates are in the South. The CDC projects that one-in-three adults could have diabetes by 2050."

and as a kicker ... this from the CDC

"The 10 states with the highest rates of hypertension are in the South. West Virginia has the highest rate at 41 percent."

'Nuff said about people in West Virginia needing to use weed more than ever. BTW, this leads to the old BL argument about is WV a southern state?

 

[JWBinDC]

(airport) I don't think I used the word "addiction" anywhere in my post regarding sugar. Sugar only causes millions of deaths thru the 3 things I mentioned.

"According to the most recent data, adult obesity rates now exceed 35 percent in four states, 30 percent in 25 states and are above 20 percent in all states. Louisiana has the highest adult obesity rate at 36.2 percent and Colorado has the lowest at 20.2 percent."

Thats interesting to say the least. There goes my theory about weed and late-night sugary snacks and drinks.

"Mississippi has the highest rate of diabetes at 14.7 percent. Ten of the 12 states with the highest type 2 diabetes rates are in the South. The CDC projects that one-in-three adults could have diabetes by 2050."

and as a kicker ... this from the CDC

"The 10 states with the highest rates of hypertension are in the South. West Virginia has the highest rate at 41 percent."

'Nuff said about people in West Virginia needing to use weed more than ever. BTW, this leads to the old BL argument about is WV a southern state?

Move to Switzerland, you socialist liberal scum.

 

[Mdeer]

Move to Switzerland, you socialist liberal scum.

Yumadbro

 

[NJMountie]

 

[JWBinDC]

Wow. Looks nice. Do they have good weed there?

 

[JWBinDC]

Yumadbro

Always. I used to be an angry young man. Now I'm just a pissed off middle-aged schmuck.

 

[Airport]

Needle park in Switzerland. I guess it does look like Huntington.

 

[Airport]

(airport) I don't think I used the word "addiction" anywhere in my post regarding sugar. Sugar only causes millions of deaths thru the 3 things I mentioned.

"According to the most recent data, adult obesity rates now exceed 35 percent in four states, 30 percent in 25 states and are above 20 percent in all states. Louisiana has the highest adult obesity rate at 36.2 percent and Colorado has the lowest at 20.2 percent."

Thats interesting to say the least. There goes my theory about weed and late-night sugary snacks and drinks.

"Mississippi has the highest rate of diabetes at 14.7 percent. Ten of the 12 states with the highest type 2 diabetes rates are in the South. The CDC projects that one-in-three adults could have diabetes by 2050."

and as a kicker ... this from the CDC

"The 10 states with the highest rates of hypertension are in the South. West Virginia has the highest rate at 41 percent."

'Nuff said about people in West Virginia needing to use weed more than ever. BTW, this leads to the old BL argument about is WV a southern state?

You chimed in about sugar after we were arguing about marijuana being a gateway drug for a lot of people and it leading to addiction. If I mischaracterized what you said, I apologize. Sugar leads to a lot of things, true addiction isn't one.

 

[WVU86]

Very low carb, ketogenic diets for everyone would reverse diabetes and get a lot of people off of their statins too. Bacon, not buds, is the answer.

 

[doneagain]

This is OT but wanted to get some thoughts on this. Personally, I think this would be an economic and cultural game changer for WV.

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/gazett...portunity-if-we-push-out-of-our-comfort-zone-

I am in favor of legalizing it, and I believe it is a matter of time before the Feds make that decision.

I disagree about it not being a gateway drug. True, in the comparison he made most people are able to draw the line at what they want to drink as far as beer versus whiskey, but the other truth is that most people get their first experience with drinking from beer, not straight liquor, but people still become alcoholics and graduate to harder stuff over time. The same applies to good old Mary Jane. It is the drug most people who use or try drugs first come into contact with. The overwhelming majority of heroin addicts did not first try heroin, they tried marijuana.

The bottom line is it all comes down to the individual and their ability to practice self control. Our society likes to make excuses for everything and everyone, but the truth is some people are just weaker in terms of will power, and those are the ones that in most cases end up having serious problems.

 

[NJMountie]

You chimed in about sugar after we were arguing about marijuana being a gateway drug for a lot of people and it leading to addiction. If I mischaracterized what you said, I apologize. Sugar leads to a lot of things, true addiction isn't one.

Stop ... its not an issue or problem. I don't get worked up about anything in these threads.

 

[NJMountie]

Very low carb, ketogenic diets for everyone would reverse diabetes and get a lot of people off of their statins too. Bacon, not buds, is the answer.