Prop 19: CA initiative to legalize marijuana (w/ limitations)

[CharminTide]

Thoughts on this issue?

REGULATE, CONTROL AND TAX CANNABIS ACT: Proposition 19 would allow people 21 or older to legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow marijuana in a space up to 25 square feet. Cities and counties would have the option of regulating and taxing commercial production and sale. Possessing marijuana on school grounds, using it in public, smoking it while minors are present or providing it to anyone younger than 21 would remain illegal, and current prohibitions on driving while impaired would be maintained.

PRO: Supporters including the California branch of the NAACP, the American Civil Liberties Union, the California Young Democrats, the Republican Liberty Caucus, the California Council of Churches and several big labor unions say legalization would end the hypocritical and racially disproportionate ban on a drug less harmful than alcohol, while saving law enforcement costs, creating new tax revenue and making it harder for kids to get marijuana.

CON: Opponents including Mothers Against Drunk Driving; most major law enforcement groups; all major-party candidates for governor, state attorney general and U.S. Senate; the California League of Cities; the California State Association of Counties; and business groups say the measure threatens public safety, violates federal law and drug-free workplace rules and won't raise any appreciable tax revenue.

Proposition 19: limited legalization of marijuana - San Jose Mercury News

Most surveys show ~50% support:

 

[disneybama]

I hope it passes. If it creates enough tax revenue, we will see a new wave of changed legislation around the country.

 

[Bamaro]

I'd vote for it.

 

[Silverback]

What if a marginal portion of the society disagrees with this proposition and then creates civil unrest until the will of the people is swayed by the minority...wait wrong proposition.

 

[Tidewater]

If it passes the Federal government will ignore the Constitution and crush this.

 

[CharminTide]

If it passes the Federal government will ignore the Constitution and crush this.

The saber rattling has already begun:

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. government will "vigorously enforce" federal laws against marijuana even if voters next month make California the first state to legalize pot, Attorney General Eric Holder says.

Holder's warning, contained in a letter to ex-federal drug enforcement chiefs, was his most direct statement yet against Proposition 19, and it sets up another showdown with California over marijuana if the measure passes.

With Prop 19 leading in the polls, the letter also raised questions about the extent to which federal drug agents would go into communities across the state to catch small-time users and dealers, or whether they even had the resources to do it.

Feds oppose Calif. Prop 19 to legalize marijuana - Yahoo! News

 

[disneybama]

If it passes the Federal government will ignore the Constitution and crush this.

Let's call it the Lincoln effect. Our founders wouldn't even recognize America. :frown:

 

[Tide_At_Work]

I'm all for it. It is hardly even a drug.

 

[cbi1972]

business groups say the measure threatens public safety, violates federal law and drug-free workplace rules and won't raise any appreciable tax revenue

What?

How exactly does legalization of an activity violate an employer's rule of the workplace? I doubt all the voters of California signed an employment contract vowing not to vote for this.

 

[dWarriors88]

At this point the Feds don't even know why it's illegal. Only that it is, in fact, illegal.

When marijuana first became outlawed, terrible exaggerations, lies, and even false studies were done to gain support in order to ban THC. Absolutely ridiculous. As someone said above, it's hardly a drug. Alcohol is more of a drug.

If the Feds squash this, which they probably will, it will be a sad day in America. It would prove how unprogressive we really are, and how the Feds are reaching almost tyrannical levels.

 

[Bama Reb]

I hope it passes. If it creates enough tax revenue, we will see a new wave of changed legislation around the country.

CON: Opponents including Mothers Against Drunk Driving; most major law enforcement groups; all major-party candidates for governor, state attorney general and U.S. Senate; the California League of Cities; the California State Association of Counties; and business groups say the measure threatens public safety, violates federal law and drug-free workplace rules and won't raise any appreciable tax revenue.

Need I say more?

 

[disneybama]

Need I say more?

LOL - the government wants the status quo. No shock, there. :biggrin:

 

[TideEngineer08]

I don't mind California passing this measure. If its citizens so choose, it is their right to do so and I am against the Federal government getting involved, but I know they will.

How I would vote if it were my state is another question. I'm not sure yet.

 

[CharminTide]

We'll see how this goes. I don't expect it to pass at this point. Too many undecideds, and those typically vote "no." But that said:

BBC News - Alcohol 'more harmful than heroin,' says Prof David Nutt

 

[gmart74]

If it passes the Federal government will ignore the Constitution and crush this.

nah they only do that to southern states.

and charmin. that study, while interesting, is almost useless (not blaming you, just pointing out it gives no information that can be used to better society). however it does make a great headline.

 

[Tidewater]

nah they only do that to southern states.

and charmin. that study, while interesting, is almost useless (not blaming you, just pointing out it gives no information that can be used to better society). however it does make a great headline.

It seems like judges love nothing more than striking down the results of a referendum. I guess it makes them feel powerful.

 

[CharminTide]

and charmin. that study, while interesting, is almost useless (not blaming you, just pointing out it gives no information that can be used to better society). however it does make a great headline.

Oh I would never rationally argue that heroin is less harmful than alcohol on a per-case basis, so I agree that the criteria used skews the results to the point of meaninglessness by ignoring the question, "what would happen if heroin use were as prevalent as alcohol use?"

That said, I do agree that weed is much better than alcohol (not to mention more fun the morning after), and in no way deserves the condemnation it receives.

 

[RogueElephant]

LA Sheriff Lee Baca has already stated he will follow federal law with regard to marijuana.

I voted against legalizing it.

 

[disneybama]

LA Sheriff Lee Baca has already stated he will follow federal law with regard to marijuana.

I voted against legalizing it.

That is disturbing.

 

[crimson fan man]

Most law enforcers now will just let you go if you have a little weed. It is not worth the paperwork. Weed has its bad side but so does Americas favorite past time drinking. Just to say that I don't know any pothead killing someone and robbing them just to get their next joint.