High Hopes, High Profit

My nooks.ca

I just heard this story on Denver via Albert Mohler: The Briefing.

In Canada with the new Liberal government, it will be interesting to see what occurs here...

Denver Post October 20

Quote

'Your nose isn't lying: One in 11 industrial buildings in central Denver is full of marijuana'. 

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'Between 2009 and 2014, the industry's appetite for real estate was voracious, with marijuana cultivation gobbling up more than a third — 35.8 percent — of all industrial space leased in Denver during that five-year period.'

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'"It really kick-started the recovery of the industrial market in Denver," said Jessica Ostermick, director of research and analysis for CBRE in Denver.'

End Citations

This (economic reasons) in Western societies is philosophically a key in any discussion of marijuana being illegal, legal, or somewhere in between as in de-criminalized. 

Cited

'"It's a new and disruptive industry," he said, "one that's making a huge impact, some positive, some negative, to mainstream businesses."'

CBC October 21

Cited

'How legalized marijuana could change Canadian cities

Advocates hopeful prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau will act on vow to make pot legal'

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'Trudeau has already said he's not comfortable with marijuana being sold at local corner stores, stressing that any changes would need to make it more difficult for minors to get their hands on the drug.

He insists legalization would make it tougher for minors to buy pot and would also keep the profits away from organized crime.'

Cited

'Similarly, it will likely be up to the provinces to determine whether the sale of marijuana will be done through a provincial Crown corporation, as is the case for wine and spirits in Quebec, or through private businesses, as is the case for alcohol in Alberta, he said.

Some jurisdictions may even choose to ban the sale of marijuana outright, he said. One thing is for certain — there will be an added sales tax on marijuana.

"It comes down fundamentally to tax collection," Greenblatt said.'

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There is another key with the marijuana issue as in taxation opportunities for City and local, Provincial (State) and Federal governments.

Cited

'The trick, he said, will be to keep the tax low enough so that marijuana users don't turn to the black market. Some of the revenue, he suggested, could be used to raise awareness among teens about some of the risks of using marijuana.'

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'The Liberals have said Colorado, which last year became the first U.S. state to legalize marijuana for recreational use, could be used as a model for legislation here in Canada.

In Colorado, an individual over the age of 21 is allowed to possess up to about 28 grams of marijuana for personal use.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has been pushing since 2013 for officers to have the ability to ticket people found with 30 grams of marijuana or less. 

Mario Hamel, the association's vice-president and the chief of the Gatineau police, said legalizing marijuana could free up officers to address other issues. But his association has other concerns. 

"Organized crime is there to make money," he said. "The opportunity could shift to other drugs — maybe cheaper drugs, chemical drugs."'

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In the end, profits for business, growth for economy, a growth of GDP/GNP and more taxation for governments will place legalized marijuana as normal in most, at least, Western societies.

These issues will take precedence over concerns of marijuana being produced and distributed by organized crime, an argument often used by many pro-marijuana supporters. And after all, there are still all kinds of other drugs, some more dangerous that organized crime can be involved with as in production and distribution.

These economic issues also in at least, most Western societies, will take precedence over health and social concerns often raised by those that hold to anti-marijuana views. At least for recreational use.

I realize that marijuana can be used for medical purposes which should be considered differently than recreational use.

Personally, I hold to the idea of seeking a sober mind, in the spiritual, intellectual and physical context.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 1:13 ESV

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

1 Peter 4:7 ESV

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

Therefore, I would abstain from marijuana, and because of sleep apnea, although being less of an issue because the condition has become less. 

I would not smoke anything.

I consume alcohol rarely and always in moderation, perhaps one drink on special occasions.