CA Marijuana Legalization Initiative to Qualify for Ballot Today

[ShroomDr]

Today, an initiative that would legalize personal marijuana possession and allow regulated sales of marijuana to adults will qualify for California's November general election ballot. A win at the ballot would be a first of its kind in U.S. history. This is a remarkable moment in the struggle to change our decades-old marijuana policies.

Marijuana was prohibited in 1937 before most Americans had ever heard of it. Today the U.S. leads the world in marijuana consumption. Nearly 26 million Americans used marijuana last year and more than 100 million have tried it in their lifetimes. A huge commodity of the underground economy, marijuana is the nation's top cash crop, valued at $14 billion in California alone. Our state Board of Equalization has estimated we would generate $1.4 billion a year by taxing marijuana like alcohol.

Like it or not, marijuana has become a mainstream recreational drug. It is second only to alcohol and cigarettes in popularity and is objectively far less harmful than either. Marijuana is drastically less addictive and cannot cause an overdose. Every major independent study has debunked the gateway myth; for the profound majority of users, marijuana is the only drug people sample not the first. Children across the country consistently report that marijuana is easy for them to get from their peers and the black market while significant barriers exist to buying alcohol and cigarettes.

Unthinkable carnage in Mexico has claimed 15,000 lives since the Calderon government declared war on drug cartels three years ago. Our government estimates the cartels generate at least 60% of their profits from marijuana alone. Following the murders of several U.S. consular workers, Secretary of State Clinton returned to Mexico this week, acknowledging that demand in the U.S. dominates these markets. But she didn't acknowledge that rampant violence is not a byproduct of the cannabis plant itself but of the prohibition that creates a profit motive people are willing to kill for.

Americans are increasingly turning against the prohibition that fails to protect our kids and guarantees a monopoly of profits to violent criminal syndicates on both sides of the border. While polls have long confirmed that large majorities favor treating marijuana possession as an infraction without arrest let alone jail, support for ending marijuana prohibition outright is quickly gaining speed. A Gallup poll last year reported that a historic 44 percent of Americans favor legalization, a 10-point jump since 2001. Meanwhile, sizable majorities of Californians are ahead of that curve, giving rise to the historic initiative we'll vote on this fall.

With this cultural transition underway, you might think enforcement of our marijuana laws would reflect their unpopularity. Sadly, quite the opposite is the case. Arrests for marijuana offenses have actually tripled nationwide since 1991. In California, which decriminalized low-level possession in 1975, arrests have jumped 127 percent in the same two decades the arrest rate for crime in general fell by 40 percent. Police made nearly 850,000 marijuana arrests across the country last year, half of all drug arrests and more than all violent crime arrests combined. No law in the United States is enforced so widely yet deemed so unnecessary.

Worse still, marijuana laws are enforced selectively with racist results. In California, African Americans are three times more likely than whites to be arrested for a marijuana offense despite comparable or even lower rates of consumption. An expose by the Pasadena Weekly found that blacks, who represent 14 percent of that city's population, accounted for more than half all marijuana arrests in the last five years.

It's hard to overstate the significance of the vote this November. Banning marijuana outright has been a disaster, fueling a massive, increasingly brutal, underground economy, wasting billions in scarce law enforcement resources, and making criminals of countless law-abiding citizens. Elected officials haven't stopped these punitive, profligate policies. Now voters can bring the reality check of sensible marijuana regulation to California.

Source:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-gutwillig/ca-marijuana-legalization_b_511484.html

Step #1 Complete!

Step #2 Pass it in November

Step #3 Figure out how to supersede federal law.

Step #2 seems possible...

 

[Mr. Charlie]

The tidal wave is growing... Thanks California!

 

[Anti]

Yahoo news and CNNmoney both had articles on this:

Thu Mar 25, 10:33 am ET

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Californians will vote in November on an initiative to legalize marijuana, state election officials have said, setting the stage for a heated campaign on relaxing drug laws.

Using the drug for medical purposes has been legal for 14 years in California.

But the new initiative, which state election officials announced on Wednesday had obtained enough signatures to be on the ballot during this fall's mid-term elections, also seeks to legalize recreational marijuana use.

The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 would allow counties and cities in the state to adopt ordinances to authorize cultivating, transporting and selling marijuana, raising revenue through taxes similar to those on alcohol and cigarettes.

Supporters are hoping the taxes will help garner support for the measure at a time when the Golden State is suffering from a crippling budget crisis.

The initiative would save "up to several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments on the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders," Secretary of State Debra Bowen said in a statement.

She also pointed to "unknown but potentially major tax, fee, and benefit assessment revenues to state and local government related to the production and sale of marijuana products."

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has already spoken in favor of imposing a tax on marijuana consumption in a bid to bridge the economic gap plaguing the country's richest and most populous state.

Under the measure, people aged 21 and older could own up to one ounce (28 grams) of pot for personal use. Possessing an ounce or less of marijuana has been a misdemeanor with fines of 100 dollars since 1975, when a law was passed that reduced tougher penalties.

It would also allow adults to grow up to 25 square feet (two square meters) of cannabis per residence or parcel.
According to drug legalization supporters, arrests for marijuana possession have risen dramatically in California over the past two decades.

"Our current marijuana laws are failing California," said Aaron Smith, California policy director for the Marijuana Policy Project.

"Year after year, prohibition forces police to spend time chasing down non-violent marijuana offenders while tens of thousands of violent crimes go unsolved -- all while marijuana use and availability remain unchanged."

Yet polls have shown that while most California voters want to legalize marijuana, there is not a large enough margin to ensure the measure would pass.

a 25ft garden? 5ft by 5ft? I can grow a whole helluva lot of herbs in that kind of space.
I wonder how that will affect the whole "allowed to have an ounce" thing. I mean, in a 25 square foot space, I can grow a whole lot more than one ounce.

Honestly, I didn't expect this to make it to a vote this year. We have until November to get every California voter educated and interested in turning this tide. If Cali decriminalizes things, many other western states will be right behind them.

You go, California!

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Vote YES! Please

This will allow people to talk about Cannabis WITHOUT FEAR! This is a good thing(tm)!

 

[ShroomDr]

Yeah, i think its great news, and i really hope it passes.

At some point the executive branch of the federal government will have to take a stance on this.

 

[meduser180056]

they already have they are against legalization.

 

[igrowone]

i just love rolling the word legalization around in my head
i may not be in cali, but i'm getting a contact high
the dam is bursting, it's really happening!(i hope)

 

[Open Eyes]

I lived in Cali for 20 years and i am confident that this WILL pass. Nearly all my friends smoked including some of my professors so cannabis use in cali is widespread and more common than the LEOS think. Heck, i had friends that smoked and became cops and i doubt they gave it up.

 

[Thundurkel]

Yahoo news and CNNmoney both had articles on this:




a 25ft garden? 5ft by 5ft? I can grow a whole helluva lot of herbs in that kind of space.
I wonder how that will affect the whole "allowed to have an ounce" thing. I mean, in a 25 square foot space, I can grow a whole lot more than one ounce.

Honestly, I didn't expect this to make it to a vote this year. We have until November to get every California voter educated and interested in turning this tide. If Cali decriminalizes things, many other western states will be right behind them.

You go, California!

I'm not sure if I'm for this at all, that 25sq ft shit is fucking stupid they take the limits of med users but if it's legal you have a limited space? I'm in a 3ft x 3ft and 2ft more on all sides isn't that much and I've been outta meds from my last harvest for a while now and my anxiety has been threw the roof! Simply cuz I don't have meds to smoke or money to buy any so that limit is bullshit!

Also what's going to happen to all the folks who's way of life is about to be taken and given to big companies why isn't the public pissed off about that like they do mom and pop shops with Walmart? It's no different! IMO at least ...

 

[ChronJohn]

I see the discussion heading towards what I had asked about in the other CA Legalization thread, so if you don't mind I'm going to repost my post here and I want to get your opinion:

I took a good reading into the law and I noticed something that I must have overlooked before. While it does say that people over 21 will only be able to possess one oz, and grow in a 5x5 area, it says later that that is a legal threshold that the legislature cannot make lower, only higher or "less restrictive". So places like Santa Cruz, San Francisco, the Emerald Triangle, Oakland, etc which are historically in favor of higher limits regarding possession and cultivation will be able to up their limits if they want. This is something that I can stand behind. I will just move to an area which has laws that I favor. At least EVERYONE over 21 is entitled to possess at least an ounce and grow at least 25 sq feet worth of buds. My thing is, for those people living in areas which will only keep the bare minimum limits, I KNOW people are gonna be getting more than an oz out of a 5x5 area, what are they gonna do with all that extra bud? An oz isn't even enough to last thru the next grow period. I didn't really see anything in the initiative which addresses this, except one line that confused me it said "It is lawful to.. (iii) Possess on the premises where grown the living and harvested plants and results of any harvest and processing of plants lawfully cultivated pursuant to section 11300(a)(ii), for personal consumption"
So it says that you can legally cultivate your 9 plants in your 5x5 and they each yield 2 oz, or even an oz, so you have to keep your harvest and trim in your house, and yet it contradicts it by saying "Personally possess, process, share, or transport not more than one ounce of cannabis, solely for that individual’s personal consumption, and not for sale... 'Personal consumption' shall include but is not limited to possession and consumption, in any form, of cannabis in a residence or other non-public place"*emphasis mine*
I'm just trying to understand the law so when the time comes and it applies to me I am not still considered a criminal

 

[yesum]

I kinda doubt it will go, but you never know.... federally forget it. at least i have medical privilege, so no major deal either way for me. I am hoping for it to go tho, has a chance.

You really smoke all your stuff thundurkel? that is a lot of herb my man. maybe some exercise to go with the pot for nerves?

 

[rdy]

My only question is, and I've been searching to no avail, what could happen that prevents voters from passing this initiative and it being enacted?

What entities/people have the power to stop a voter mandated ballot measure?

I see either one of two things happening-

1. Federal intervention, the federal courts/White House sues CA or intervenes through X legal action and removes the measure from the ballot altogether or voids it after its been passed,

2. The Governor-elect (Nutmeg Whitman?) somehow voids it, assuming it passes.

Anyone know?

 

[Anti]

I'm not sure if I'm for this at all, that 25sq ft shit is fucking stupid they take the limits of med users but if it's legal you have a limited space? I'm in a 3ft x 3ft and 2ft more on all sides isn't that much and I've been outta meds from my last harvest for a while now and my anxiety has been threw the roof! Simply cuz I don't have meds to smoke or money to buy any so that limit is bullshit!

Dude, my garden (if you include my veg chamber) is 4.02 square feet!

I haven't had to buy any herb in many months! I smoke pretty much from the moment I get home from work til the moment I go to bed. When I have a day off, I smoke all day long!

Now you're telling me that if this law passes, there's no way to sustain yourself with more than 5 times that much space?

You won't have to provide for your neighbor or your buddy. They get 25 sq feet, too.

Also what's going to happen to all the folks who's way of life is about to be taken and given to big companies why isn't the public pissed off about that like they do mom and pop shops with Walmart? It's no different! IMO at least ...

Sounds like what you're saying is that we shouldn't legalize it now because if we do all the drug dealers will have to go get legit jobs.

Sorry drug dealers, but I have a legit job and it sucks. I'd rather grow my own, pounds at a time, and not worry about going to jail than continue to contribute to your lack of a need for a job.

PS - if it was fully legal for people to grow it, how much time do you think the police force is going to spend going door to door to make sure people are sticking to their 5ftx5ft space?

 

[whadeezlrg]

I really hope we dont get stuck with the anti-herb ceo of ebay, thats all we need, I guarantee that lady will try to screw up the entire medical movement

 

[Thundurkel]

No not drug dealers I could give a fuck about those that push heroin coke and meth I'm talking the families that have made it possible for all of us in Cali for the last 30years and now they have to go and get a regular job? That's not cool I'm sorry it's just not right and right now the way the Med scene is the shit is already legal in many peoples eyes. Also I can't hold a regular job due to my mental problems and my knee and I'm gonna have to go on SSI for a measly $600 a month which is all I get for a month! But I can grow a lil crop in my room and make myself $1800 - $2500 a month which would make life much easier for me and my mom instead of us struggling check to check barely making bills in this economy. What's wrong with how it is right now in Cali? Why is it so bad that all it takes is $100 and sometimes nothing at all to get a Medical Recommendation and taxes are being paid ect. The way I see it is folks that are serious smokers and love their herb and live in Cali have already had a med card for a few years now and not many more are going to add to the equation when it's legal I'll say 10% maybe and yea that's a good amount of taxes. BUT!!! What happens to my Grandma up in Mendocino County who isn't a grower or smoker but just went there to retire after working for the Federal Government for 15yrs in Sacramento? What's she supposed to do when her county goes to shit just so everybody can feel like they won? Our culture will be taken from us by the big corporations and then they will fight to stop us lil guys from having a chance and making any reasonable amount of income from our grows and own the market which we created!!!! Also how is it selfish to want to make enough money to live comfy? I'm not talking about driving a benz and rocking gucci socks like some of these fuckers but just make enough to pay my bills and buy new clothes once and a while?

 

[Thundurkel]

I really hope we dont get stuck with the anti-herb ceo of ebay, thats all we need, I guarantee that lady will try to screw up the entire medical movement

Yea I agree!!! I hear she wants to get rid of it completely! fucking ****! She's just buying people out like it's a damn ebay auction!

Can't say what I want huh? I hate censorship well she's c and ends with a t

 

[Orygun]

As someone who grows for more then personal use in Oregon this shit worries me since we already compete with enough of calis annual outdoor crop and imho this is going to put a lot of very good people out of work.

Anti your statements strike me as just a little bit ignorant since growing on a larger scale is like having a job or in my case and the case of many others its like having a second job in addition to a normal full time job.

So as a grower I don't believe I lack motivation quite the contrary in fact and I believe their are plenty of other growers on this site who feel the same.

 

[karmical]

Its been like a media circus around this way lately, everybody wants to know something, either pro or con.

I actually rapped to the coolest DEA person I've met to date this week, and had a very interesting conversation, but I know they wanted to puff the joint I was smoking...

Again while I can share the same concerns with those grows, as someone that make their $$ through mmj, I kind of feel the desire to roll the dice and see what happens, as change has come in the form of actual interactions that 10yrs ago, would never happen.

 

[whadeezlrg]

I believe there are so many possibilities that will open up through a new commodities market, it's a fresh start on a completely new horizon, old school ways got to adapt to capitalize on a fresh canvas, and there will always be a demand for the bomb, once big corps realize they grow crap they will start looking for guys that are able to grow well and offer them salaries that will more than likely be more than they were making hustlin up the hillsides, not to mention the countless other cannabizzes that will arise...just got to adapt.

 

[meduser180056]

Unless corps aren't allowed to grow the best because of a cap on THC percentage or something then you better believe they will be turning out some of the best stuff around.

Yeah right they'll be looking for guys that grow well sure they will. They will want some people with experience around in the beginning overseeing things and establishing a methodology/system, but as soon as the process is fully understood you can expect the operations to be staffed with low wage workers/possibly illegals. That's who the workers will be just like all the farms out there that rely on migrant workers to make their bottom line.

They will hire people with experience running professional greenhouses etc with actual horticulture degrees to oversee it all in the end. Not your mom and pop grower.

Unless there is some way to keep big business out of it the whole thing is gonna be fucked. Your average smoker won't care cuz he still gets his buds, O well America is already Starbucked and McDonalized why not do it to the cannabis industry too right.