TURD for PROP 19

How do you explain to your children that you support any measure meant to legalize that evil plant known as "Mary Jane"? Though TURDs do not support or encourage drug usage of any kind (this includes alcohol and tobacco), we at TURD headquarters felt compelled to pick a side. TURD members should think for themselves before deciding what their opinion is, however if you take emotion out of the equation, it seems like a no brainer for legalizing the stuff. Here is the TURD argument: Marijuana is already the largest cash crop in the United States. If every farmer in the US converted just 1 acre of production to Marijuana, we would no longer need to subsidize the farmers. (This is a topic for another day.) The farmers would be able to make more money, and for those that decided not to grow marijuana, the decrease in production of other crops would raise the prices of all crops by a small amount thereby decreasing the need for subsidization. Experts on both sides of the issue agree that billions are spent enforcing the marijuana laws currently on the books. This money doesn't include the decrease in consumer spending brought on by locking up otherwise honest, law abiding citizens. Just by legalizing, we cut our national and local spending by huge amounts. For those who think that by legalizing it we are making it more accessible to our children, take a hard look at that elementary schools your children attend. TURD can guarantee that it is much easier to purchase marijuana at school than it is to purchase alcohol. This is because alcohol distribution is controlled. By legalizing, taxing, and controlling the distribution of marijuana, we actually make it less likely that our children will use this at a younger age. (we know that there will still be some sneaky brats who steal from their parents bar/stash. We are not naive - just realistic.) Currently the Democrats in power are too weak to propose legislation to legalize marijuana, and the Republicans are too afraid of the moral consequences. But let's examine the consequences of not doing anything. More innocent people will be killed south of our borders. Republicans claim the violence is not their fault. They blame the users and corrupt politicians south of the border. It is our fault. Without criminalization, the incentive to control the drug trade through violence is removed. There is historical precedence here. Take a look at prohibition. While there were still some moonshiners left, the number who still produced illegal spirits was never very high after prohibition was overturned. The same would be true with marijuana. Democrats are equally as naive. Democrats believe that legalization will foster addiction and create widespread homelessness or laziness. They fear more people will be under the influence while driving. While TURD understands the DUI fear, why don't we just spend some of the money we save on housing these non-violent criminals on traffic enforcement. Sounds like a good idea to TURDs everywhere. Researchers on both sides agree that there would be an initial uptick in usage, but after the first year, it would drop back to nominal levels. There are still no hard studies on physical dependence on marijuana. While it might be possible, the withdrawal symptoms aren't life threatening like alcohol, and as a pain reliever, it is much safer than any prescription drug out there. If everyone would start thinking for themselves instead of being inspired by the "media", TURD believes our country could again be returned to a political superpower. The problem we suffer from today is the same problem that caused the housing and credit mess. We have become accustomed to getting exactly what we want. There is no compromise any more. TURD's suggestion is to let the federal government declassify marijuana and let the states or local governments decide if they are going to allow the sale and distribution. The federal government would get a small portion of the taxes and the rest would go to the local schools to enrich our children. See how easy it is to compromise.