Disappointed by Belmont cannabis shop

Dec 13, 2025
Dec 13, 2025
6

Editor,

I was disappointed to learn that Belmont has joined the growing group of Peninsula cities — Redwood City, San Bruno, and Pacifica — in permitting marijuana stores.

(6) comments

Dirk van Ulden Dec 13, 2025 10:18am

Yes Oscar - this is the same City Counsel that is pushing the elimination of natural gas fired appliances, previously banned smoking in public places but now has no problem with the vile, stinking smoke from cannabis. And all of that to collect a few bucks for the City's black hole treasury. Were we, the Belmont residents, ever consulted?

easygerd Dec 14, 2025 1:42pm

Agreeing with Dirk here. Either you understand "Vice Taxes" or you don't.

The Framers and Founders (especially Hamilton) implemented these "Vice Taxes" on

- alcohol

- tobacco, e-cigarettes and weed

- pornography and prostitution

- betting and gambling

- sugar

(or later gasoline and fossil fuels)

to DISCOURAGE the usage of these products, because of their tendencies to cause physical harm and addiction.

But corrupt politicians have turned these "Sin Taxes" around as a money-making endeavor.

They ENCOURAGE "vices" like drinking, driving, smoking, drugs (or carbon credits) to make money, lots of money.

The money used to go to counter the negative outcomes of all these addictive substances and behaviors. Now it just ends up in the general fund paying for anything but health related expenses.

Drugged and drunk drivers keep killing Californians, but Democrats just let them keep driving:

https://calmatters.org/series/license-to-kill/

Dirk van Ulden Dec 14, 2025 5:36pm

Hello easygerd - I am still plowing through the life story of Hamilton, and you were, and are, correct. The original levy on whiskey was an attempt by Hamilton, and approved by President Washington, to close the federal budget gap. Hamilton apparently underestimated the furor that erupted and eventually Washington ordered recently recruited federal troops to stamp out the illicit whiskey production for which no taxes were collected. As opposed to the various ways in which our current leadership manages to fleece us, Hamilton did not have much of a choice. Even he called them 'sin taxes' with the purpose of discouraging excessive drinking which was rampant and collect a few bucks. I am quite disappointed with the Belmont city council members who have their heads up a place where the sun don't shine, in my opinion. Hamiltons they are not!

Terence Y Dec 15, 2025 8:48am

eGerd – TBot here. Here you go again throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks. It still doesn’t. In your current episode/rant… I didn’t realize e-cigarettes were around when the Framers and Founders were alive. Was there e-anything during those years? As for your so-called “Vice Taxes” I guess earning a living is the biggest vice of all – since income taxes take a bite out of most everyone’s wallets. From your definition, should we assume that anyone not earning a living is vice-free? Far from it, aren’t they guilty of greed and envy and gluttony and sloth and…? Which are the bigger “vices”? BTW, I’d say the bigger issue is criminals and terrorists continue wreaking havoc on Californians and the nation, but Democrats just let them keep roaming around. Newsom is now indirectly responsible for CDL operators killing Americans on both coasts, as well as states in between. Just hope you’re not on the road when they kill more Americans.

easygerd Dec 15, 2025 9:30am

Ouch TBot - I surrender. Everything you throw at the wall is absolutely sticking.

But who is going to clean up after you?

But I give you two more lollipops of knowledge here:

1) Excise Taxes have been used with success to

A] DISCOURAGE bad behavior that can cause bodily harm and addiction. Let's call this "blood money".

B] put this "blood money" to good cause. Either to counter the cost associated with that addiction (healthcare, rehab, PSA) or paying down the national deficit.

BUT, politicians get addicted to that "blood money". They want to ENCOURAGE more of the bad behavior. These guys want to make smoking weed easier.

This one is for Dirk, who does pay attention to these things.

2) You could say that Schwarzenegger's Cap-and-Trade program are also based on the "Vice Tax" idea.

Some might call it a form of carbon tax. Companies that create a lot of CO2 pay and Sacramento gives it to companies and programs that reduce CO2.

But again, greedy politicians want that "carbon tax" to go into the general fund. No one wants to work on programs reducing CO2 anymore.

source: https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/12/cap-and-trade-new-mission/

quote: "The program gained a new name, cap-and-invest, which implies that, as the auction proceeds have reached multi-billion-dollar levels, politicians’ chief focus for how the money is spent has changed from emissions reduction."

This is basically the blueprint of the gasoline tax. Hide a "vice tax" by turning it into an "investment tax" or "infrastructure tax".

Terence Y Dec 16, 2025 8:33am

eGerd – TBot here. Your “logic” is still illogical. If everything I throw at the wall sticks, there’s nothing to clean up. In your case, the only mess is yours because nothing sticks. Please stop making a mess. BTW, your two lollipops of knowledge aren’t based on reality or the successes you allege. Meanwhile, when are bicycle taxes and registration fees going into effect? You know, to pay for bicycle infrastructure they’re currently getting for free. Sounds like bad behavior, too, doesn’t it?

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