Pot legalization ballot measure hits the streets -- California 2010

[hyphaenation]

http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_13421764

Pot legalization ballot measure hits the streets

By Josh Richman
Oakland Tribune
Posted: 09/25/2009 04:05:25 PM PDT
Updated: 09/25/2009 04:05:26 PM PDT


SAN FRANCISCO — Limited personal marijuana possession and cultivation would become legal, and the drug's commercial regulation and taxation would become an option, under a proposed ballot measure now being circulated for petition signatures.

Oakland marijuana activists Jeff Jones and Richard Lee, proponents of "The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010," kicked off their petition drive Friday with a news conference at the national convention of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). The measure would legalize personal possession of up to an ounce of cannabis, and would permit up to 25 square feet of cultivation per home. It also would let local governments decide whether to allow, regulate and tax commercial sales, a system somewhat like how alcohol is or isn't sold in "wet" and "dry" counties in some states.

Lee, president of the Oaksterdam University cannabis training college, said he always has believed cannabis is safer than alcohol so it's unfair and hypocritical to prohibit its use. Jones, executive director of the Patient ID Center — formerly called the Oakland Cannabis Buyers Cooperative — said the measure would stiffen penalties for those providing cannabis to minors while shoring up legal access for medical users as well as recreational users.

Federal law still bans all marijuana possession, cultivation and use, but Jones said he believes the federal government wouldn't rush in to shut down commercial marijuana sales regulated by local governments under this measure because the Obama Administration already has said it won't bust medical pot operations that conform with state law. Most federal raids these days are requested by local authorities anyway, he said, and a local government that regulates and taxes the drug's sales surely wouldn't ask federal agents to come bust sellers for it.

Oakland mayoral candidate and former state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata was scheduled to attend Friday's news conference and voice his support, but was unable to attend due to "unforeseen circumstances of a personal nature," said Dale Clare, executive chancellor of Oaksterdam University. Perata did send a statement that Clare read to reporters, noting the budget crisis and down economy have left the state, counties and cities unable to pay for schools, universities, health care, roads, environmental protection and other key services. —In this time of economic uncertainty, it's time we thought outside the box, and brought in revenue we need to restore the California dream.," Clare read from Perata's statement.

Perata's support of the measure could be a shrewd electoral move; about 80 percent of Oakland voters casting ballots in a July special election approved a tax on cannabis businesses. That applies to Oakland's four city-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries for now; Jones and Lee said if their measure passes and Oakland so chooses, the tax could apply to future recreational marijuana businesses, too.

The proponents must collect signatures of 433,971 registered voters by Feb. 18 in order to qualify the measure for the November 2010 ballot. Lee said they've hired the Masterson and Wright petition drive management firm, expecting to spend about $1 per signature: "We've already raised a good portion of the amount we need."

Jones said a legislative bill to legalize and tax marijuana, now being revamped by author Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, could become "enabling legislation" that fills in details of a state regulatory scheme allowed under this measure.

NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said his organization hasn't endorsed this measure over other marijuana legalization measures that might appear on the same ballot next year, but he believes there's "a genuine zeitgeist in the United States" to legalize the drug once and for all. "As usual, California is leading the way on an important social issue."


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http://www.eastbayexpress.com/blogs/...nt?oid=1201724

Media Blitz Greets California Cannabis Tax Effort

Reuters, the San Francisco Chronicle, CBS, ABC and other major media outlets descended on the 38th-Annual NORML convention this afternoon for a press conference by leading Oakland drug law reformer Richard Lee. Rich Lee's Tax and Regulate Cannabis 2010 ballot initiative begins gathering more than a half a million signatures today to qualify for the November 2010 ballot. TaxCann2010 will legalize personal possession of small amount of cannabis and create a regulatory framework for commercial sales, similar to alcohol.

Former senate pro tem Don Perata was scheduled to appear and endorse the TaxCann kick-off, but he missed his appearance at the last minute for "personal reasons." TaxCann2010 political director Doug Linney could not elaborate on the Perata's absence. Still, Perata issued a statement endorsing TaxCann 2010 as a billion-dollar revenue generator for a broke state, and as a way to keep cannabis out of the hands of minors.

Lee needs in excess of 430,000 signatures in 150 days to qualify for the ballot, and has deployed paid signature gatherers Masterton and Wright to spearhead a $1 million effort. "We're confident we'll be able to get it onto the ballot."

Weekly meetings are being held in Oakland and across the state. Expect to see signature gatherers at major music events and other hubs of cannabis culture, TaxCann2010 said. — David Downs

[alicesamanita]

You can get medical mary jane there,which is cool, BUT LEGALIZING WOULD MAKE HUGE BUCKS FOR US--lets face it--we need it!
It would also stop putting both Adults and Teens in jail for simple charges! All that does is clog the prison system--they even let true criminals out f-ing early cause of how clogged the court systems are with bull shit charges! Total bull shit! Anything thats natural,to me,should be legal!

*RANT,RANT,RANT,RANT RAAAAAANT!!!!!!*

[BuckarooBanzai]

Rant away, baby!!!!

And it isn't just clogging the prison systems...it is pouring capital into the pockets of organized crime (the DEA) and dis-organized crime (the actual distributors).

[alicesamanita]

Totally with you on that!

[BlacHaze]

If we all moved there we would get our way!

They don't understand us.
Why would they bust us?
So we can buy from black market?
Do they run the black market?

Don't criminalize, Legalize!
Let the medicine sprout.

[Doqaz]

Domino effect domino effect please domino effect.

[jay-pheno]

i believe alcohol to be worse then cannabis but i also believe that alot of america still thinks the cannabis is worse then alcohol .

im for legalisation an regulation , but think we as a nation are along way from it ,, serious i bet if you went to the country an did some polls ,, you would see that a large majority still view weed/cannabis as the devils weed .


we need commercials mixing religous rhetoric with scientific fact , an also some mcdonalds jingles that are catchy ,,, like " im smokeing it " instead of " I'm lovin' it "

[Shadowlord]

Originally Posted by BuckarooBanzai

Rant away, baby!!!!

And it isn't just clogging the prison systems...it is pouring capital into the pockets of organized crime (the DEA) and dis-organized crime (the actual distributors).

That's why they won't legalize it. They would rather create jobs via building and staffing prisons and fighting their so called war rather than relent and find better ways to make money. Soon they will rationalize that the prisoners should have to pay for the trouble they cause society and make them work while incarcerated and then people will really start getting locked up. Free labor and a club to hold over people's heads. Be good or you'll go to the work camps.
Our best hopes are right now to change the legislation. The bad economy has many states unwilling to spend money to lock up minor offenses and pot and other nonviolent crimes are starting to get some slack due to larger problems and no money. If we don't get change to the pot laws soon I see things getting grimmer if the economy improves.

[hyphaenation]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...BA4019SMHB.DTL

Chances are high pot measure will pass


Willie Brown
Sunday, September 27, 2009


That proposed ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in California for people 21 and older - and let local government tax the sales - has a good chance of passing.People are no longer outraged by the idea of legalization, and truth be told, there is just too much money to be made both by the people who grow marijuana and the cities and counties that would be able to tax it.
Unlike the 1970s, when Mayor George Moscone first moved to decriminalize pot, marijuana is no longer about hippies. Thanks to medical marijuana, pot has moved from the alleyways to Main Street, with pot clubs springing up all over the state.

And let's be honest for a moment. How many of the people going into those clubs do you think are really sick? Anyone who has observed those operations knows that much of the pot is being used recreationally anyway, so we might as well have a discussion about whether to bring it out in the open.

You might think the Legislature would pick up on this, and indeed Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, has made a proposal to legalize and tax pot. But although legalizing marijuana fits both Republicans' libertarian instincts and Democrats' progressivism, they won't touch it with a 10-foot-long pack of rolling papers.

For all our weak-kneed politicians, however, I don't see any organized opposition to legal pot on the horizon. So if the pot growers put their money in the right places, they win in 2010.

[daze8]

Just signed today in my area!
If you live in California please help the get the ball rolling for legalization, the time for change is now!

[AGAMA]

Originally Posted by Shadowlord

That's why they won't legalize it. They would rather create jobs via building and staffing prisons and fighting their so called war rather than relent and find better ways to make money. Free labor and a club to hold over people's heads. Be good or you'll go to the work camps.
Our best hopes are right now to change the legislation. The bad economy has many states unwilling to spend money to lock up minor offenses and pot and other nonviolent crimes are starting to get some slack due to larger problems and no money. If we don't get change to the pot laws soon I see things getting grimmer if the economy improves.

Couldn't agree with you more, on all counts.
It's also about all the money that is "used" to "grease the palms" of gov't officials to let this crap continue.
Declaring "War" on anything is destined to fail. It's just another excuse to spend taxpayer's money to create misery for people without political clout.
I'll stop for now, but it is so wrong for someone else to be able to tell me what I can or cannot put into my body or my mind. Just my own opinion, and my $0.02 worth at that!

[XisCumming]

My state, Massachusetts decriminalized it last year:
People can carry up to an ounce on them. You recieve a $100-300 ticket, depending on which town you are in.... Id say most towns up to 90% have the standard 100$ fee and take your pot away. But it doesnt go on any kind of legal record, so it wont hurt you in custody battles, job applications, scholarships anything like that

On a side note people younger than us in my state atleast, wont know what its like to get arrested for pot anymore.... I once got arrest for a 1/2 gram nug the police found on the floor of my car.... atleast we dont have to worry about that anymore... Court fees were outrageous too. Much better system we got going here.

[Dipole]

This came to me in response to my NORML composed letter urging the Governor to support the legalization of cannibus:

Thank you for contacting Governor Schwarzenegger about marijuana in our state. The Governor values hearing from fellow Californians about the issues that are important to them.


While the Governor does not support legalizing marijuana to generate revenue, he does think there should be an open dialogue on the issue of legalization. He believes we should look at other governments and analyze their experiences with legalizing marijuana, weigh the benefits and problems they've encountered and determine if and how those experiences would apply to California.

Once again, the Governor appreciates your input on this very delicate issue.

Sincerely,


Rosemary Rawlins
Office of Constituent Affairs

[Stonehenge]

This should have happened 20 years ago! It's the crooked politicians and the booze industry who don't want it. Also big pharmaceuticals who would lose a lot of business if people could self medicate. Pot is a medicine and helps or cures many diseases from glaucoma to arthritis to ms to... many other things. It even helps avoid alzheimers. I can provide links to the proof if anyone doubts it.

[designlogic]

Originally Posted by jay-pheno

i believe alcohol to be worse then cannabis

I agree with you on that one. I used to smoke and smoke and smoke and the worse that happened
was I either ended up stuck to the chair or fell asleep. Alcohol on the other hand, you keep drinking
and you'll be all sorts of fucked up. Cannabis basically will eventually turn you into a stone if you smoke
and smoke while alcohol will take away your ability to walk, talk, and drive if you keep on drinking and drinking.
Just a first hand observation.

Thought I would share

[Dipole]

Legal Cannabis replacing alcohol would probably be a big health care benefit. Alcohol is a shitty drug that is addictive and fucks your body up. Alcoholic beverages are only good for sipping, beyond that, do yourself a favor and use Cannabis. It is unethical to not allow a legal alternative for recreation.

[riseabovethought]

I really need to move to Cali. San Diego sounds good. Im saying it again, its the new gold rush and Im planning to be there enjoying the good life in Cali, eventually. Go Cali!

[Raoul Duke]

Free the weed!

It's great to see things finally changing or at least being discussed. My father who had been brainwashed that MJ is evil is finally seeing the light too. He even admitted to me the other day that it should be legal. I can finally have an open conversation with him about it and have even showed him my ladies. Now if we can just get the rest of the nation to wake up and smell the herb!

[bugs]

Yeah, lots of folks who used to buy into the propaganda are starting to come around.

On the weed vs. booze, years ago the ex and I worked in a biker bar; I cooked and she tended bar. The juicers were always causing trouble, beating their kids and significant others in public. They were often worse than the tweakers.

But the tokers? Even if they had a few drinks or a couple lines they stayed pretty mellow. And now, 20 or more years later, most of them are still around and enjoying life. Can't say as much for many of the others.

[mchungg]

Definately a step in the right direction. Good to see that people are fighting for cannabis so we can all enjoy it, without the hassle of the gov't. Anyways thanks for sharing pretty interesting..

[Dipole]

...picking up on a languishing thread...

So I went to my local supermarket with the light feeling of a 50mg toke of my old Sahdu hybrid to put some hard earned money in the bank; and to buy some meat. Now the California seaside town of Ventura is a rather conservative, God fearing, and from what I can see, Republican community. But right there in front of the store sat a simply dressed old man sitting behind a cloth covered card table. A sign on the side of the table said, "Legalize Cannabis." I thought to myself:

"FUCK YEAH!!!"

So I went inside and took care of business and came out with a package of $0.49/lb, poorly trimmed pork fat; which with a little pork shoulder will turn into a pretty decent breakfast sausage. I then walked over to the man who then asked me to sign the petition to put a Proposition on the ballot to legalize "marijuana."

So I signed the petition while my fellow citizens walked by. I sure as hell did. I proudly signed that petition.

My fellow Californians, rise up with all the support you can. Now is the hour to do this. Sign the petition when you see it. It is very likely that the minimum number of petitioners will be signed up. This issue will go to the ballot.

Get the word out to vote to legalize cannabis. Contact your state representatives and tell them to support the legalization of cannabis.

It is important that all you young voters get all of your friends registered to vote. Get registered now and get out and vote. The younger the voter the higher the likelihood to vote to legalize cannabis. Older voters are more likely to get out and vote and to vote against this better alternative to their drug, alcohol. Vote against the bigotry of the past, vote against corruption, vote for sanity, and vote for a more just society. Get out and vote and vote to legalize cannabis.

Rise up!

Oh, and stop calling it marijuana. It is so degrading.