What Killed Prop. 19?

[SCF]

What Killed Prop. 19?

http://www.laweekly.com/2010-11-04/news/proposition-19-defeated-election-results-legalize-marijuana/

Historic effort to legalize marijuana returns in 2012

By Dennis Romero Thursday, Nov 4 2010

In the end Proposition 19, which lost Tuesday, was more than a pipe dream. A long-shot campaign by a one-man band — a pot-shop owner from Oakland — turned into a bona fide movement to reconsider America's long-standing marijuana prohibition.

It made national headlines, won support from unions, civil rights groups and even some law enforcement organizations, and, supporters say, took one giant step toward a full-on legalization effort that will likely return to California in 2012.

Stephen Gutwillig, state director of the pro-legalization Drug Policy Alliance, said it was a respectable loss.

"It validates the analysis that prop. 19 has permanently impacted the national debate and moved marijuana legalization into the mainstream of American politics," he said. "We came up short tonight but it's clear it's an issue people take seriously."

Yeah, Prop. 19 came up short and burned out a few weeks before the election. Polls in the summer that had suggested enough support to pass the thing had faded by fall.

But the euphoria it created, backers say, will linger.

"On the 'yes' side there wasn't a consensus that this was the year," says Gutwillig.

The movement may be even stronger for that. "Regardless of the outcome, it clearly has been an enormously valuable exercise, because Prop. 19 has moved the debate forward nationally and forged an unprecedented reform coalition," Gutwillig says. "We cannot understate the significance of bringing mainstream civil rights organizations and labor unions to this cause for the first time."

Unlikely factions supporting the initiative, which would have allowed Californians 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of pot, included the state's largest labor group, the Service Employees International Union, the California NAACP and the police group the National Latino Officers Association.

But it often appeared as though defiantly independent Richard Lee, the Oakland medical marijuana–dispensary entrepreneur who launched Proposition 19 single-handedly by bankrolling a petition drive, was riding solo.

Just one week before the November 2 election, the first significant contributions other than his own were made to Proposition 19: Billionaire George Soros made a last-minute, $1 million bet on the measure and suddenly the campaign could buy a front-page, wraparound, full-color ad in the Los Angeles Times.

Too little, too late?

"The big problem in any campaign is getting the troops out," says attorney Bruce Margolin, L.A. director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), and the subject of L.A. Weekly cover story "Proposition 19 Dreams of Legal Weed." "It takes money and time. There wasn’t much here in this particular campaign."

A number of well-organized forces for cannabis decriminalization appeared to stay on the sidelines until late in the game. Many didn’t want a legalization measure on the ballot during the midterm election, preferring to put the question before voters during the big dance in 2012, when presidential politics ramps up interest and shakes out cash.

"Richard Lee took the lead on this," says Gutwillig. "Mainstream drug policy–reform organizations initially advised waiting for the more hospitable electorate in 2012."

Besides a lack of cash or wholehearted backing from its own pro-legalization brethren, Proposition 19 might have suffered from the bad taste left in the mouths of otherwise sympathetic folk in the pot-shop capital of the country, Los Angeles.

The most recent California Field Poll had Proposition 19 losing 51 percent to 38 percent in Los Angeles County, a region where pot is, in practice, almost legal because of the ease of obtaining medical marijuana.

Coincidence?

Eagle Rock neighborhood activist Michael Larsen notes that it took the Los Angeles City Council many years to get its medical-marijuana dispensary ordinance in order. In his view, Los Angeles–area voters were down on Proposition 19 because they imagined the havoc it would wreak when that rubber-spined political body had to make even more complex decisions. (Proposition 19 left taxation and regulation of retail cannabis up to cities, towns and counties.)

"If we thought the medical-marijuana thing has been out of control, this would compound that," Larsen says, noting the "huge silent majority in Los Angeles who are fed up with pot shops."

While Proposition 19's backers said the measure asked a clear question — legalize it or not — foes said the language of the initiative was disturbingly vague, leaving questions of day-to-day regulation to local jurisdictions. Voters were also left uncertain how the measure would stem the drug cartel–driven supply lines of today's pot scene.

"There were too many unanswered questions to give it wholehearted support," says "No on 19" spokesman Roger Salazar. "It just wanted to legalize use without a prescribed and controlled structure."

Still, backers say Proposition 19 did a noble job of setting up another run at legalization, probably in the presidential-election year of 2012.

Says Gutwillig of the Drug Policy Alliance: "This issue is not going anywhere and is likely to be stronger because this debate has placed reforming failed marijuana laws squarely in the mainstream political discourse."

 

[exploziv]

great read. thanks!

 

[raphenilweed]

The data looks like wee need more of the conservative counties. We also didn't win Los Angeles County, a big populous. If the Prop 19 yes campaign targeted the central valley or farm/ag counties with more emphasis on hemp fiber and seed there would have been a boost to the yes side. One thing that prop 19 stated was that all forms of cannabis bud, flower, extract and derivative of. I would say hemp would fall under flower (for seed) and derivative of (fiber). There was a big focus on "marijuana" which by name alone rattles the bones of the prude. Another thing which lost the vote was that mid generation folk. They voted no because they have kids growing weed to get by and they would rather want their kids growing weed and making money than living at home in the basement. :laugh:
Besides it wasn't a complete fail. Only lost by ~500,000 votes.

 

[igrowone]

i did see on another thread the voter turnout rate was 30%
EDIT: looks like actual was close to 44%, still on the low side
if this is true, you may not need a complicated answer

plainly there were things that could have been done better

but a very low turnout rate is going to typically be a large percentage of older voters, who are not the friendliest MJ demographic

i'm sure it will be done better in 2012, just a bit of delay

and as much as i wanted prop 19 to pass, there could be a few positives with a 2 year wait

the federal response was looking to be unpredictable, maybe a bit over the top

there may be some slow, grudging acceptance about the inevitable end of MJ prohibition

 

[Cannaseur Kid]

Fuck Prop 19

Fuck Prop 19

Prop 19 was written for money grubbin OAKLAND based dispensary owners and shit head kids that want to smoke pot and not get in trouble. Fuck that. Im a medicinal user that voted NO.

 

[Cool Moe]

I'm a 45-year-old married father of two in a non-medical state who would like to be able to smoke pot and not get in trouble. It's a sad day for all tokers when the spirit of cannabis gets stomped on by greedy little capitalists.

 

[3dDream]

fear and greed.

 

[Noobian]

Like I said on Wed, my local news reported that Prop 19 didn't pass because the people in Cali were afraid of legitimizing cannabis' "harmful effects" That was what they were broadcasting out here....people east of the Rockies are gonna have a real hard time getting cannabis legalized anytime soon when they are STILL talking about the "harm" from it. We've got what 14 medical states and people still think of MJ as a harmful substance. If 19 would have passed that would have been such a huge step for not only Cali but the entire country. I hope there is another chance but I'm not encouraged at this junction

 

[Skidbone]

The day before Halloween, three days before the election, the Sheriffs office or LAPD put out the warning that it is very likely that MMJ Candy And MMJ Baked Goods will be given to your trick or treating children.

It was a nice big, albeit phoney, Big Scare three days before the election. Typical dirty political tricks.
I am sure it was repeated around the state. Fear rules. I really think these kind of scares can sway elections. That and the money making growers who want to keep the club closed to the general public and carpetbagging corporations with massive factory grows.
I heard Oakland had issued permits for large warehouse operations prior to the election in anticipation of legalization.
Joe Grow would have been left standing there with his little 5x5 or 25x25 while the weed factories start overgrowing the home cultivator.

Plus can you imaging what will happen when they start patenting the genetics and protecting those patents.

Watch Food Inc.

This election may have been the best possible outcome. Legal MMJ for those who are willing to jump through the hoops. I voted in support of legalization, but I am not crushed by the election.

 

[binaryfission]

fear and greed.

i'ld call it ignorance and apathy.

When less than half of the eligible voters come to the polls, you can't expect to win.

lazy potheads.

 

[ddrew]

Prop 19 was written for money grubbin OAKLAND based dispensary owners and shit head kids that want to smoke pot and not get in trouble. Fuck that. Im a medicinal user that voted NO.

What's so bad about a recreational user wanting to smoke and grow without fear of arrest and jail?
So you're saying that it should only be legal for med users?

Great attitude, you're really helping things

 

[mk6]

if you want to know the actual voters count per county click here

 

[Mrs.Babba]

Its over, it lost, cant go back. Debating it over and over isnt going to help. We all know we arnt going to agree with every point, that would be too easy, but we ALL want the same thing in general. NO ONE SHOULD GO TO JAIL FOR SMOKING CANNABIS!!!! whether your medical or rec, it doesnt matter.
We need to join together and make it legal for ANYONE that wants to enjoy this wonderful plant!
Im just saying.....hehe
LETS PUFF PEOPLE!

 

[Cannaseur Kid]

What's so bad about a recreational user wanting to smoke and grow without fear of arrest and jail?
So you're saying that it should only be legal for med users?

Great attitude, you're really helping things

You gotta jump through the hoops buddy. Do you really think that every medical user has a legitimate reason to be a MEDICAL user? Fuck no! But they did pony up the 65 bucks or so to get a medical card to cover their asses. U gotta pay to play and it's really a small price to pay to eliminate the "fear of arrest and jail".

 

[elmanito]

Although prop 19 isn't approved by the voters, SB 1449 is already signed by the governor & approved legislation downgrading possession of an ounce or less from a misdemeanor to an infraction.

Don't forget this is a huge step forward.Another thing is that California already denied the single convention on narcotic drugs of 1961, which demands that a medical bureau supplies patients with MMJ and not the dispensaries.Holland has a medical marijuana bureau to supply patients but it is far more difficult to get medical marijuana.Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa of the UNODC is not happy with the situation in California.

Sure Holland has coffeeshops but there is no quality control at the back door, so nothing is known about the strength or contamination.

Namaste

 

[ddrew]

You gotta jump through the hoops buddy. Do you really think that every medical user has a legitimate reason to be a MEDICAL user? Fuck no! But they did pony up the 65 bucks or so to get a medical card to cover their asses. U gotta pay to play and it's really a small price to pay to eliminate the "fear of arrest and jail".

So you're saying that some of these card holders might be "shit head kids that just want to smoke and not get in trouble"?
I thought you had a problem with that?

I would be thrilled at the opportunity to get in on a med program in my state, but we don't have med here, 19 passing would have helped bring the issue to the forefront IMO.

I have no problem dishing out some cash for a card or permit, all I want is the chance, and I'm afraid it's going to be a while now.

 

[Cannaseur Kid]

So you're saying that some of these card holders might be "shit head kids that just want to smoke and not get in trouble"?
I thought you had a problem with that?

I would be thrilled at the opportunity to get in on a med program in my state, but we don't have med here, 19 passing would have helped bring the issue to the forefront IMO.

I have no problem dishing out some cash for a card or permit, all I want is the chance, and I'm afraid it's going to be a while now.

Some of the people I know personally with med cards are shit head kids(all 18 or older) who know how to play the game. I can't hate on them because I would have capitalized on the med card program as well as a young man.

It may have opened some doors but it would have been YEARS if not decades before any other states would see any impact of Cali's laws.

 

[ddrew]

It may have opened some doors but it would have been YEARS if not decades before any other states would see any impact of Cali's laws.

I think it would have been all over the news if it passed for weeks and months to come, and there would be all kinds of stories about new canna businesses etc....

Enough so that people in other states would start seeing that it is possible, and not the end of the world, and start saying in large numbers, hey, we want something like that here too.
I agree that it would take a while for the impact to be felt in the form of new laws for other states, but not decades like you suggest, although it may be more then a decade now.

 

[Dr Psycho]

Here in Canada the media was all over the fear that legalization would harm our economy because we export so much to the states. I think that the amount of Cannabis actually exported is less than what the media, and police say. I know that locally most of what isn't vaporized by the local market goes over to Alberta to the hungry lungs and fat wallets of the oilfield workers. I think prohibition has made us all greedy and cynical. We need to base all future laws on the laws that exist for Beer and Wine as Cannabis is comparable and compatable with these substances. Tour a winery and then the bus tours a lovely Cannabis plantation with a weed shop and resturant attached. No limits on amounts only on how you behave whilst using. Please we need to treat ourselves like responsible adults.

 

[Guest 88950]

...I think prohibition has made us all greedy and cynical. We need to base all future laws on the laws that exist for Beer and Wine as Cannabis is comparable and compatable with these substances. Tour a winery and then the bus tours a lovely Cannabis plantation with a weed shop and resturant attached. No limits on amounts only on how you behave whilst using. Please we need to treat ourselves like responsible adults.