EXCELLENT subject! Just had to say that. An actual comment on the actual article! (hrrumph)

Seriously, though, I have a somewhat different take, on the difference between excise and sales taxes. I think excise is the way to go, with no more sales taxes than for any other product.

The reason I say this (and I haven't fully investigated it, I do admit), is twofold. One, it taxes on weight, not price. Two, it taxes at the point of origin. Just like those paper strips over a bottle of liquor. There's a reason why this is better, because it can avoid the black market. If a truck of liquor is hijacked by the mob and then sold under the table, the excise tax HAS ALREADY BEEN PAID. The gummint has already collected the money. Therefore, economically, they don't care that it's on the black market or not, or at least not as much.

But like I said, I've been thinking about looking into this (like the difference between how WA and OR tax weed, and what it's done to the market on the border between the two) and writing about it in the future. So thanks for reminding me.

The black market will always avoid some taxes, but how much of a black market still exists for alcohol? I mean, you can still homebrew, and moonshine still exists, but what fraction of the total market does this represent? Not much, I'd wager.

-CW

Maybe it means "transport across state lines"?

Importing would be far in the future, IMHO, except for seeds. You'd have to have another country where it was legal, for one. Although I hear Canada's close to going that direction, this would be a very limited list.

But even so, weed should be treated like alcohol, period. That means seeing the equivalent of Heineken or Laphroag in US stores. My guess is it'd be a small part of the overall market, but that's just a gut feeling.

Paula [10] -

I've been thinking about writing an article urging the GOP to get rid of the Hastert Rule, or at the very least change the name, because now it sounds an awfully lot like the "Child Molester Rule" to me.

Think that'd be too snarky?

-CW

It was clear she had....

That net'ed NOT-45 over TWENTY MILLION dollars....

Do you think Wall Street just gave that kind of $$$ to NOT-45 out of the goodness of their heart??? That there wasn't some quid pro quo going on???

Trumpers will cheer: "Our guy cheats better than your guy! We win!!!"

Sour grapes salad with Crow Creme.. :D

A. HANDFUL. OF. SPEECHES.

Now, there appears to be almost no form of enrichment that is off-limits for 45 that Republicans will object to. They see no conflicts-of-interest. Jimmy Carter has to sell his peanut farm, but Trump not only doesn't have to divest, he can just invite people to meet him at Mar-A-Lago to make their offers.

Trumpers will cheer: "Our guy cheats better than your guy! We win!!!"

Chaffetz: another perfect Republican.

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/03/house-republicans-to-trump-steal-all-you-want.html

You DO realize that the description of my alleged loyalty to President Trump is EXACTLY how one could describe your loyalty to NOT-45...

You DO realize that, right?? :D

WaPoop's opinion is just that. An opinion..

And it's the opinion of an entity who totally, completely and unequivocally mis-read the FACTS and invented facts of their own to call the 2016 Presidential election 98% in favor of NOT-45...

With credibility like that, who in their right mind would listen to ANYTHING the WaPoop has to say???

Ahhh yes... Those who want to believe what WaPoop says... :D

Meanwhile, the Orange-man and his people are criminal on so many levels, if the roles were reversed there wouldn't be enough Republicans in America to staff the investigations the GOP would be ordering.

But since 45 is GOP, why pubbies are suddenly just blind, deaf and dumb.

Really, Comrade, sad, sad, sad.

Comrade MIchale will find a way to support Jared Kushner because Herr Trump does. Kushner would spit on Michale as soon as look at him, of course, but republican males seem to like that. If they can't be the spitter they like being the spittee. Kneeling with the drool from their rich idols dripping down their faces gives these wealthy-ahole-worshipping righties a warm feeling. Perhaps if they catch some of the spit in their own mouths they too will be blessed.

And WHO was the last President to be impeached??

Why, I think it was a Democrat.. :D

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-gravity-is-strong-3

Orange-man is probably not aware of the gravity of any of this, but his posse of moronic criminals are likely to find out.

Republicans: your go-to folks for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Meanwhile Mike Pence can't trust himself to be alone with any females-not-his-wife. He must have a very high opinion of his own personal magnetism. Maybe women on the right are attracted to smarmy, oily liars -- I don't know. I find him repulsive in every possible way.

Democrats :eyeroll:

In the checkout line at Walmart?

OUCH!!!

"And the ref takes a point away!!!"
-Jim Carrey, LIAR LIAR

:D

"so I hear"?

In the checkout line at Walmart?

A

Whoa, not so fast. Some of the best marijuana in the world comes from offshore, so I hear.

Does competition from French wine make Napa Valley wine more or less valuable? I say more, because connoisseurs travel in packs.

Besides, if marijuana reform goes international, there will be plenty of export opportunities for American growing and smoking suppliers, having had a 'head start' in the legal market.

Thanks for posting this.

But this one word jumps out-
"Marijuana producers, importers, and wholesalers would be required to obtain a permit from the Department of Treasury"

Import?
Talk about an idea that could kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Yeah, let's offshore another job creating profitable industry.

A