We all know a simple cure to our economic woes would be the legalization & taxing of marijuana. Is

[zonkers]

it unreasonable to think we would go "there" in some sort of regulated way in the next 10 or 15 years?

[boobooday]

1. Not only that

But if Obama put this on his platform, it would be a landslide, yanking the libertarians right out of the GOP.

[grannie4peace]

2. you think?

[boobooday]

13. Yes, based on long-term observation . . .

[chimpymustgo]

3. Oh you must have some GOOOD shit...

[ThomWV]

4. That is exactly as silly as saying that the collapse is the fault of poor blacks buying homes

What would the legalization of pot in the US have to do with bank failures in London, Paris, Bonn, and Rome?

[RadiationTherapy]

10. It would merely be a large revenue source for the gov. if they taxed it.

I find the OP a bit overstated, but the combined potential of taxes as well as the redirection of the money used for enforcement could perhaps loosen some other economic issues like rebuilding our infrastructure or financing green projects.

Won't fix the housing market as far as I can see.

[BobRossi]

5. Wow!

Exactly what I was thinking last night! It would also drive the crime rate down, send the snack-food industry soaring, and put American in a better mood!

[remember2000forever]

6. There Is An Old "Hippie" Saying:

Grass will get you through times without money better than money will get you through times without grass.

So smoke up! We are gonna need it!

[Blue Meany]

9. I don't think it would be a major component of the economy

if it were legal, since this would cause the price to go way down.

[zeemike]

7. Just simply de criminalizing it would make a difference.

It would drive the price down to about what a mess of greens cost as people that want to use it discover they could grow it in their back yard.
It would take billions out of the drug trade that would go back into the real economy And reduce the cost of law enforcement greatly.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

8. Slowly but surely, state by state

Legalization is not important to the majority, so it's unlikely to be a national issue. Unless they discover that tokers buy stock or something. Smoke Baby Smoke. But with Dem's in charge, decriminalization of small quantities is perhaps possible.

[R. P. McMurphy]

11. my kitteh thinks you're onto something!!!

:)

[RadiationTherapy]

12. Not quite THAT easy.

But hemp and taxes and stopping enforcement can make a LOT of money.

[Uncle Joe]

14. I believe it would be a step in the right direction for a multitude of reasons.

1. Increased tax revenue.

2. Less crowding in prisons here in the land of the free and the home of the brave as the government can start phasing out the for profit prison industry.

3. Reduced police expenditures, and a lower crime rate as police could actually focus more on violent crimes that matter, instead of invading the people's privacy. I also imagine organized crime's influence would be reduced as a major source of funds for them would be dried up.

4. Many people that have been alienated regarding one endeavor or another would join the system as contributing members of society.

5. The use of Hemp could reduce our reliance on expensive and suicidal fossil fuels, while also serving to help save our forests from destruction as there would be less demand for trees.

I believe we cut off our nose to spite our face regarding the so called Orwellian "War On Drugs" a long time ago. I don't believe this would be a cure all for the economy, but it could help, while also serving to restore some sense privacy to the American People, as adults in control of their own lives with the freedom to make their own choices instead of treating them as children.

[zonkers]

15. Guess I agree that it's not a cure but a step in the right direction -- a step

I feel would instantly impact society in a positive manner.

[Occam Bandage]

16. That is hilarious, in much the same way

that it is hilarious when my dog tries to use my computer by pushing his nose against the keyboard and then looking at the monitor to see if anything cool happened.