Friedman on legalizing drugs

[Pat McCotter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLsCC0LZxkY

[John Edward Mercier]

He's correct.
If you think about it from the point of NH...
the legalization of cannabis would lower tobacco tax revenues and timber tax revenues (as much of NH's timber was for wood pulp).
So the various cartels each make out through the prohibition.

[KBCraig]

I seriously doubt anyone who smokes tobacco, smokes less of it just because they also smoke marijuana. I can't imagine legalization affecting tobacco tax revenues. Alcohol? Possibly, but not likely a large amount.

Woodland revenues are already dropping, because the pulp mills have moved to where the trees are cheaper (Canada).

[John Edward Mercier]

I'm suggesting the original reasons NH groups would have supported the ban in NH.
Today the Legislature and Governor are not as supportive of smoking, and wood pulp for the last few years with the mills open was imported... sometimes as far away as Indonesia.

Quebec mills are actually more set up for engineered wood products.

[Pat McCotter]

Yep, now we chip good pulp wood for steam and electricity.