SAN FRANCISCO — Backers of a California initiative to legalize marijuana said they would submit far more signatures Thursday than needed to qualify the measure for the November ballot.

Volunteers intended to submit about 700,000 signatures collected across all 58 California counties, campaign spokesman Dan Newman said.

The initiative needs about 434,000 signatures from registered voters to make the ballot.

The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 would legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults. It also would allow limited growing on private property and permit local governments to decide whether to legalize and tax pot sales.

"Our current laws aren't working. We should have learned from alcohol prohibition," said Oakland medical marijuana entrepreneur Richard Lee, the measure's main backer.

The signature were filed as a 15,000-square-foot store stocked with marijuana growing supplies prepared to open in Oakland - another sign of the mainstreaming of pot in some parts of California.

Members of the Oakland City Council were scheduled to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday.

No pot is sold at the store, but it has an onsite doctor to provide medical marijuana recommendations to customers and technicians who will install growing equipment such as lights and fans in the homes of customers.

Customers can see "Ikea-style grow room demonstrations with live plants," according to the store. Owner Dhar Mann, 25, said he was "thrilled to see the strong support that the city of Oakland and the community has shown us."

Lee has marshaled manpower and financial support for the initiative through Oaksterdam University, an Oakland-based school he founded to train growers and distributors of medical marijuana. Under current state law, Californians can legally grow and possess pot for medical purposes.

The drive to put a broader legalization measure on the ballot got a boost in April when a Field Poll found that 56 percent of California voters supported legalizing and taxing marijuana to help bridge the state budget deficit. The campaign's internal polling showed similar support, Newman said.

"This initiative was very carefully crafted to win at the ballot box. It contains specific safeguards and controls," he said.

Standing in the way will be a coalition of religious and law enforcement groups that argue marijuana is harmful and an immoral approach to fixing the state's financial problems.

"We're going to talk about blood money, about trying to raise taxes on the backs of our youth," said Bishop Ron Allen, a pastor and head of the International Faith Based Coalition, an anti-drug religious group.

Potential revenue from legal pot sales would encourage young people to use the drug, Allen said.

The ballot measure would require jail time for anyone who sells or gives marijuana to children. It also forbids smoking pot in front of minors.

Opponents also point to the lopsided defeat of a 2008 ballot measure to reduce criminal penalties for drug offenders as a sign that Californians will ultimately decide against loosening drug laws.

"Voters are not going to be comfortable making another mind-altering substance legally available," said John Lovell, a spokesman for several law enforcement groups lining up to oppose the initiative.

The Associated Press

https://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2...or-nov-ballot/

[whisperingeye]

I am all for legalizing, but this bill only lets the common man or woman grow in a 5 x 5 area which is arguably one plant outdoors. I know that it is better that nothing but there is too much room for error. There will be 3 if not 4 different ones to vote on at least that is the rumor.

Peace

[Makk]

Do other states have the ability to get these initiatives on the ballot like CA?

[edux710]

yeah check out the CCI, it is a much better solution to CAs pot problem. decrim for all!!!!

[nephilthim]

there is no need for this in light of the states stance on prop 215 either laws seek to tax and regulate whereas with prop 215 one recommendation is all that is needed if you wish to grow your own.and as as so many asshats say anyone can get a medical card,which is just fine with me since i voted for prop 215,and will vote no on these inititives.

[Hydro-Soil]

Originally Posted by nephilthim

there is no need for this in light of the states stance on prop 215

Prop 215 doesn't end cannabis prohibition.


Not ending ANY prohibition, let alone a prohibition of cannabis, is a perpetuation of destruction, misery and death. If you can't 'see' that, you need to step up your education on the subject.


If you are for the continuation of the prohibition of cannabis for ANYONE (regardless of medical status), then you are in favor of gangs and violent people that take advantage of the black market money that prohibition creates.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-65), U.S. President.
Speech, 18 Dec. 1840, to Illinois House of Representatives

"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded."

Have you forgotten that our founding forefathers were NOT idiots and were WELL familiar with what governments and legislation were capable of? Educate yourself!

Stay Safe!

[nephilthim]

no i am not we already have legalization in prop 215 unless your living in a cave,other than that youre analysis is simply you are with me or against me.the proposed propositions either leverage an unfair avantage (lee)or seek to fund the black hole called the state budget with low hanging fruit no thank you the worst gangs are the ones that are right before your eyes perpetuating the crap you so complicitly regurgitate on their behalf.
not every gang member is p.o.s. maybe if I was so quick to judge the motivations of others which are selfish inerest's anyways then I would share your vision of taxation,but I personally feel all drugs should be legalized and only taxed for treatment,support of children of the effected ,and taxed only to the threshold of not supporting a black market and no further,and not to fund or enrich the lives(state employees) of others poor choices.
I have met young people in and out of gangs and my only wish is for them to make better choices,be compassionate and kind improving the lives of themselves and those around them.
our founding fathers were the same elites who couldn't agree on funding our continental army.america has always been for the elites not the people since it's inception. with every congressman for sale and corporations now having the same rights as a citizen.afghanistan,iraq,fed money,aipac, the manufacturing of consent to go to war with iran you need to educate yourself about the world before suggesting any courses of action for anyone but yourself.