Reader: I voted for legal pot because I wanted the state to tax the hell out of it

One comment can beget plenty of others. That was the case for our Comment of the Day post in which a reader claimed pot buyers without red cards are being "raped" by high taxes. Come commenters didn't like this choice of verb, while the one below disagreed with the complaint...

By Michael Roberts

January 24, 2014

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One comment can beget plenty of others. That was the case for our Comment of the Day post in which a reader claimed pot buyers without red cards are being "raped" by high taxes. Come commenters didn't like this choice of verb, while the one below disagreed with the complaint entirely.

Christopher David writes:

While you're whining about high taxes on marijuana, Colorado continues to be one of the worst states for school funding. I voted to legalize weed so we WOULD tax the hell out of it and, if our officials stick to their promises, subsidize our school systems with it. But, a cheap high is more important, I suppose.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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