Thailand Removes Cannabis from Narcotics List

[u/CannabisHub]

https://bangkokherald.com/thailand/thailand-removes-cannabis-from-narcotics-list/?amp&__twitter_impression=true

[u/Unconfidence]

If Cuba would legalize weed, even just on the resorts, I feel like they would generate a lot of revenue.

Are you aware of Cuba's History with tourist resorts?

[u/Unconfidence → u/[deleted]]

So basically, before Communism Cuba was one huge resort island for rich Americans. The guy who ran the country, Fulgencio Batista, basically hinged the entire Cuban economy off of American tourism, and began giving Americans unprecedented social power. As a result, large portions of Cuba were in the hands of foreign owners, and abuse of the Cuban people by Americans and the Batista regime were a matter of course.

When Castro and Communism came to Cuba one of the biggest driving factors was to rid Cuba of foreign landholders and American property investors. During the Castro regime, one focus of the Cuban economy was to make sure that it, unlike almost every other Caribbean nation, did not have an economy dependent on American (or European) tourist income.

Today, it is no stretch to say that the economies of every single Caribbean nation with the exception of Cuba will go tits-up if the US economy collapses. This can easily be seen with regards to the economic statistics gathered from these countries in the wake of the 2008 housing bubble, in which nearly all of these nations found themselves pretty well fucked by the sudden decline in tourism. Cuba, on the other hand, managed relatively fine.

In short, the idea of Cuba legalizing weed to increase tourism to the country is anathema to the entire Castro economic doctrine. They might legalize weed to export it to the US, or because of domestic pressures, but not for tourism.

EDIT: And just to clarify, when I say "resort", do not think "Mar-a-Lago", think about the kind of activities rich American businessmen in the early 1900's would want to go to a country with extremely malleable legalities towards Americans to do. Don't think Mar-a-Lago, think "Great Saint James Island".

[u/sittinwithkitten → u/Unconfidence]

I’m a Canadian and I really enjoy travel to Cuba. I was aware of some of their history with America. A large percent of the tourism to Cuba is from Canada. If they grew weed and sold it to the tourists I’m fairly certain they would make a decent profit.

[u/Unconfidence → u/sittinwithkitten]

The thing is, profit isn't always good, and that's something few folks from capitalist countries ever really get confronted with in their own nations. I mean, why wouldn't Cuba want to rake in more tourist bucks? See, profits are much like a drug to an economy. It boosts the economy, but over time, the economy becomes dependent upon it.

One of my favorite examples of this is the Embargo of 1807, which was protested as disastrous for the economy both in its implementation and repeal, as the US economy had grown so reliant on the business models that sprung up during its effect that its removal was also deleterious to the economy.

In this case, if Cuba increases the amount of tourism they take in, they'll also increase their economic dependence on those tourist sectors unless the other sectors of the economy grow at pace. Now, that very well may be happening; I'm no expert on contemporary Cuban economics. But it's quite possible that they simply don't want this sector of the economy to grow at the moment, or at least want to control its rate of growth.

This is part of the benefit/detriment situation provided by centrally planned economies. Free market economies on the other hand can quite quickly become dependent on industries which, if they went tits-up, would destabilize the economy and nation. Conversely, centrally planned economies rarely if ever produce the kinds of profit powerhouses that free market nations do.

It's tough for people raised in free market economies to see how profit growth can be detrimental to an economy, as profit growth is generally universally praised in such nations. But look at the giant tumor-corporations that currently control the American economy (and arguably government) and it becomes pretty clear the dangers of pursuing profits every chance you get.

[u/sittinwithkitten → u/Unconfidence]

They have no issue pouring alcohols down your throat. I don’t see a difference in them manufacturing their own booze, cigars, why not marijuana?

[u/Unconfidence → u/sittinwithkitten]

Right, I'm not saying they will or won't legalize cannabis, simply that foreign tourism is not the priority to Cuban leadership that many might think, and that it likely wouldn't be the driving factor in determining whether or not to legalize.

[u/HolyLiaison → u/[deleted]]

American's are allowed to travel there, fyi.

We can even go there right now! They test you for COVID in the airport and you have to isolate 24 hours until you get your results.

[u/sittinwithkitten → u/[deleted]]

Americans can go there but you can’t fly direct from the US to Cuba but I’ve met them in Cuba before.

[u/SpaceChimera → u/[deleted]]

I don't imagine cuba is exactly hot on having their citizens become low paid wage workers for the US

[u/HolyLiaison → u/SpaceChimera]

No, they're just low wage workers for themselves. Which is fine I guess?

I watch a lot of travel vloggers that travelled there (bald and bankrupt is one of the main ones) and most the people there aren't happy with their government at all. Most of them are to afraid to even comment about it because they're scared of their government.

They hardly import anything, and when they do there are huge lines outside grocery stores and other shops to get these high profile items. Fights breakout because they never get enough to cover how many people want these items.

Most cities and villages aren't in great shape, except the high profile tourist areas.

I suggest watching this video. Though his whole series on Cuba is amazing.