TheCity

Tag: Forbes

  • Should the cannabis bill be puff puff passed?

    Should the cannabis bill be puff puff passed?

    Cannabis has many functional uses besides the most popular form, which is smoking. Image by: mafiosoch
    Cannabis has many functional uses besides the most popular form, which is smoking. Image by: mafiosoch

    American comedian and commentator, Will Rogers, once said of alcohol prohibition in the US that “prohibition is better than no alcohol at all”.

    Although Rogers made his quip as a means of generating humour, he made a very valid point on the purpose of prohibition. It just doesn’t work.

    Alcohol prohibition in the US did not prevent people from drinking alcohol, it just made the process more convoluted. It also made spirits – a form of alcohol that was very rarely acquired prior to prohibition – one of the highest forms of consumed alcohol due to its easy ability to hide and smuggle vast quantities.

    Prior to the 20 US states and the District of Columbia passing laws allowing some degree of medical use of marijuana, and 14 states decriminalizing it to some degree, similar events surrounded the prohibition of cannabis.

    It was still being used heavily throughout the US. And it was wasting precious police time, removing the man hours from being able to focus on more deadly drugs and/or crimes.

    “I don’t smoke weed”, explained Kelley Duffy, a South Dublin mother, “but I know that if I wanted to get my hands on it it could in less than 30 minutes. An hour at max.”

    Mark, a cannabis user, claims, “Sure it might as well be legal, because its not like people can’t get it as it is.”

    He continued to explain. “People who want to smoke it are smoking it. Just because you can’t doesn’t mean it will stop people.

    “Look at alcohol – people under 18 still get their hands on it and still drink. If people want to do it they will do it. Look at the massive increase in heroin use in Ireland. Surely tackling that is more important than some bits of plant.”

    Forbes Magazine calculated that a 15% tax on the estimated 600,000 Coloradans cannabis smokers will generate over $130 million in revenue for the state of Colorado.

    TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, who was the man who has put the decriminalization bill to the Dail, estimated that cannabis could raise €300 million in revenue for the country.

    Flanagan’s estimate may be on the optimistic side of the tax scale, but even a tax figure closer to the estimate given by Forbes would be of great benefit to a struggling Irish economy.However Fanagan was correct in saying that cannabis decriminalisation would “free up” garda resources.

    “Even if it is not legal to smoke it, it should be legal for medicinal use”, stated Donna, whose mother suffers from severe arthritis.

    “I use it for recreational use, but my mother takes a very small amount before bed and it helps her to no end.

    “It relieves her pain, allows her to get to sleep. She doesn’t need to take three of her pills, that really don’t agree with her. It works wonders for her and I think that it is a disgrace that people who need it can’t.”

    The bill will be either passed or rejected by the Dail on the 6th of November. The decision of the bill will have great consequences for hundreds of thousands of Irish citizens – many would argue positive, while some will still argue negative.

  • DEBATE: Redskins should keep their name

    DEBATE: Redskins should keep their name

    “We are Redskins Nation and we owe it to our fans and coaches and players, past and present, to preserve that heritage.” That is how Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder closed his recent open letter to fans of his American Football team.

    One of the most talked about stories in the United States at the moment, not just the NFL, is whether or not the Washington Redskins should change their team name.

    Many argue that the term “Redskin” is a derogatory term towards Native Americans.  However, in his letter, Mr Snyder stated that a poll which talked to nearly 1,000 Native Americans concluded that 90 per cent of them did not find the Redskins name to be offensive.

    He also added that an AP poll earlier this year, found 79 per cent of respondents said they didn’t have a problem with the name “Redskins” and that only 11 per cent believed that it should be changed.

    The Washington Redskins in training camp, lead by Quarterback Robert Griffin III (yellow). Image by Keith Allison on flickr
    The Washington Redskins in training camp, lead by Quarterback Robert Griffin III (yellow). Image by Keith Allison on flickr

    In situations like this, all evidence must be considered before forming an opinion.

    The team have been known as the Redskins since 1932, and they’ve been the Washington Redskins since 1937.  In this time, the team have won five world championships, three of which were SuperBowls, the most recent of these coming in 1991.  Changing the team’s name will mean a loss of their history, starting off on a brand new slate.

    After several years in the mire of mediocrity in the NFL, a place no team wants to find themselves, the Redskins are now a marketable franchise again.  According to Forbes, the Redskins are the fifth most valuable team worldwide, in any sport.

    The acquisition of quarterback Robert Griffin III in last year’s draft was crucially important for the revival of the Redskins brand.  Griffin lead the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.  His jersey is the fifth best-selling jersey throughout the entire league.  FedEx Field, the Redskins home stadium, which holds 91,704 spectators, is reaching capacity for every home game.  The Redskins currently have a marketability level that very few other NFL teams can compete with, not just in America but internationally as well.

    An American flag sprawled across the pitch at FedEx Field before a Redskins home game. Image by Jeremy Thoel on flickr
    An American flag sprawled across the pitch at FedEx Field before a Redskins home game. Image by Jeremy Thoel on flickr

    Changing the team name means an entire rebranding on all levels.  It is eliminating all possible aspects of growth in income and completely starting anew.  It means having to re-establish sponsorship deals.

    While it is not uncommon for American sports teams to change their name, it is usually only a process carried out by teams who are struggling, both in competition and financially.  While the Redskins may be struggling on the field at the moment, there is still plenty of time for them to turn their season around.  Off the field, the future is very bright for the Redskins. The Washington Redskins, not the Washington (insert possible team name here).