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Title: Measure To Legalize Marijuana Will Be On California's November Ballot
Source:
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URL Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/l ... ar25,0,4756689.story?track=rss
Published: Mar 25, 2010
Author: By John Hoeffel
Post Date: 2010-03-25 12:14:20 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 1016
Comments: 26
An initiative to legalize marijuana and allow it to be sold and taxed will appear on the November ballot, state election officials announced Wednesday, triggering what will probably be a much-watched campaign that once again puts California on the forefront of the nation's debate over whether to soften drug laws. The number of valid signatures reported by Los Angeles County, submitted minutes before Wednesday's 5 p.m. deadline, put the measure well beyond the 433,971 it needed to be certified. Supporters turned in 694,248 signatures, collecting them in every county except Alpine. County election officials estimated that 523,531 were valid. The measure's main advocate, Richard Lee, an Oakland marijuana entrepreneur, savored the chance to press his case with voters that the state's decades-old ban on marijuana is a failed policy. "We're one step closer to ending cannabis prohibition and the unjust laws that lock people up for cannabis while alcohol is not only sold openly but advertised on television to kids every day," he said. Lee, tapping $1.3 million from his businesses, has put together a highly organized campaign that he emphasized Wednesday would be led by a team of experienced political consultants, including Chris Lehane, a veteran operative who has worked in the White House and on presidential campaigns. "There's all kinds of big professional politicos who are coming on board now to take it to the next level," Lee said. Opponents have also started to put together their campaign. "There's going to be a very broad coalition opposing this that will include law enforcement," said John Lovell, a Sacramento lobbyist who represents the California Police Chiefs Assn. and other law enforcement groups. "We'll educate people as to what this measure really entails." The measure, like the medical marijuana initiative, could put California on a collision course with the federal government. The possession and sale of marijuana remain a federal crime. This month, President Obama's drug czar, R. Gil Kerlikowske, decried legalization in a speech to police chiefs in San Jose. The initiative would allow adults 21 or older to possess up to an ounce for personal use. Possession of an ounce or less has been a misdemeanor with a $100 fine since 1975, when Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, who was then governor, signed a law that reduced tough marijuana penalties that had allowed judges to impose 10-year sentences. Legalization supporters note that misdemeanor arrests have risen dramatically in California in the last two decades. The initiative would also allow adults to grow up to 25 square feet of marijuana per residence or parcel. But the measure, known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act, goes further, allowing cities and counties to adopt ordinances that would authorize the cultivation, transportation and sale of marijuana, which could be taxed to raise revenue. Supporters hope this feature will win over voters watching local governments jettison employees and programs in the midst of a severe budget crisis. Three other marijuana legalization initiatives have been floated this year but are not expected to qualify for the ballot. One failed, one was withdrawn and one remains active. Lovell said that the initiative would lead to increased marijuana use, cause the same kind of social ills as alcohol and tobacco and put more demands on law enforcement. He said voters are distressed by the medical marijuana law. "Neighborhoods feel very uncomfortable with these locations that have a lot of dope and a lot of cash," he said. Lee countered that the state's experience with medical marijuana shows "the sky didn't fall." He said the measure would allow police to focus on serious crime, undercut Mexican drug cartels and make it harder for teenagers to buy marijuana. Underscoring the importance the backing of law enforcement will play, Lee's campaign on Wednesday highlighted the support of retired Orange County Superior Court Judge James P. Gray, a former L.A. County deputy sheriff and Torrance police officer. With polls showing that a slim majority of voters support legalization, the legalization campaign will be trying to appeal to a slice of undecided voters who are mostly mothers. "It's always easier for people to say no than to say yes for an initiative," said Mark Baldassare, the pollster for the Public Policy Institute of California. Lee hopes to raise as much as $20 million. He will probably be able to tap a handful of wealthy advocates who have supported efforts to relax drug laws, including multibillionaire investor George Soros and George Zimmer, founder of the Men's Wearhouse. Zimmer has donated at least $20,000. Lovell said he expected to raise less than his opponents but would have enough to get his message out.
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
This is an interesting article. I'd post a comment and engage you further on it, but you seem to post articles and then respond only to those who agree with you. If I'm incorrect, and you DO wish to further comment on it, I'll be here.
""I've now been in 57 states — I think one left to go." —Barry Soetoro, at a campaign event in Beaverton, Oregon, May 9, 2008
A topic I think Brian S and I agree on. Should have been decriminalized decades ago. Its always been a fools errand to try to outlaw what is literally 'a weed'.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Indeed.
my anti groupie's gonna getcha for that you know....(chuckle) Ask murron rotfl!
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Ask murron rotfl! So what's new? I've always been on someones list...I care?
I know, same here obviously. Just thought it was funny to note. I'm betting even Brian S got a laugh out of it.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
I saw the humor and just when I was going to comment on it, my attention was diverted here for a moment. Indeed...lol
If there is anyone so undeserving of an ego it's you, Boof... And Murron knows I was yankin'...the fact that you don't..well...don't go changin' boof...
Day 32 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 30 of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount? Jan 30, 2006 ... by saveliberty (Proud to be Head Snowflake, Bushbot...
Too bad this headline isn't 30 years old.
We're in agreement for once. Bookmarked!
It will be interesting to see what happens with this since CA is in the process of outlawing tobacco use nearly everywhere.
"I’ll just tell you this, if this passes and it’s five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented — I am leaving the country. I’ll go to Costa Rica!" -Rush Limbaugh
Its not the first time I've stated my view on this, Fred. I have a ton of posts in the LP database on it.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
I probably had you on the bozo filter.
See all the fun and excitement you missed? (roaring with laughter)
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Maybe we should have an initiative to re legalize FARO BANKS - Not the "Progressive" Federal Reserve kind but the: ORIGINAL KIND ;c) best "house" gambling game for the PLAYER ever invented when dealt and played HONESTLY!!
We are living in one topsy-turvy world.... I'm torn on this issue, a part of me wants our children to have a drug free world, we did the whole DARE thing with our kids growing up, and thank G-d it worked, but others wern't so lucky. But the other part of me sees the futility and injustice in throwing them in prisons like they were mass murderers for smoking a joint, or having a small amount on them..it's just damn dumb and it doesn't do a thing towards re-habilitating anyone. But I'll tell ya one thing POT will do to the whacked out minds of some of the young, stupid, and just plain mean, it'll give them false courage to do shit they might not otherwise do. California, like most large cities, has it's share of CRAZIES, and POT is only going to make some matters worse. But that's just me, it might even be fun to sit here on my little isolated Ranch and laugh my butt off....it may bring in a few extra dollars to that state, but after the flood gates open, what decent person, especially Taxpayers, are going to want to hang around and pay for it...let alone open up a nice business? btw, I'm deadly alergic to pot, always have been, can't even be around anyone who smokes a joint, but if it were legal to grow it, I'd have one hell of a garden...lol
Anyone can get pot. That tells you right there all that you need to know about this issue. If that isn't enough...look at the number of people in jail simply for USING.
Day 33 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 31 of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount? Jan 30, 2006 ... by saveliberty (Proud to be Head Snowflake, Bushbot...
(chuckle) Marijuana's effects are calming, Murron. Its not an amphetamine, far from it. The biggest 'danger' is to Dorito's and pizza lol I've read 60% of all held in the federal prison on drug charges are there due to marijuana violations, many facing compounded sentences because they happened to have a shotgun in the house when busted growing a dozen or more plants in the basement. Its ridiculous. In the 30 plus years I've been involved in the LEO/security industry I've never ONCE found a case where a pot head blew away a stop and rob night clerk to gain cash to buy pot. Never once, and I have looked EVERYWHERE for just one story. I've also challenged many in my industry to provide such a incident - to my own professional detriment given the status quo on the topic as you might imagine. Not one incident, in over 30 years of looking for this mythical urban legend LEO's like to spout. Decriminalize it nationally is my view. The prison space freed up by doing so would save billions per year, and we have better uses for it. Then consider the revenue realized if we go the next step and legalize, codify and tax. JMHO.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
I think the both of you have made some very good, and true points I agree with, most of my post comes from personal experiences and/or events around me over these many years, most of them in the past right in the heart of Cincinnati...badeye himself I'm sure, can tell you how sick and twisted that city was, and is to this day. Thanks guys.
I can testify to how fucked up Cincy was, and is to this day. I can't say anything about what the anti groupie might have posted.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Oops, sorry Murron. You are welcome.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Do you have your anti-groupie on filter? He's posting to you A LOT, and none of it is flattering (to put it mildly).
Sure, for months now. Its not like he'll have any new thought to offer, just the same old same old. As you probably see. I did note somebody complaining about it recently. All I can say is...I'm not posting to him. I'm not responding to him. He did the same thing for two years or so at LP. Like my tag line says...
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
(roaring with laughter) As if I needed your pussy credentials stated out loud, Boof.
Day 33 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 31 of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount? Jan 30, 2006 ... by saveliberty (Proud to be Head Snowflake, Bushbot...
Nice to see you and Bigot Boy getting along so well...now let me introduce you to...Lewis, um....Booger and...uh...um......Dofferinker Day 33 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 31 of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount? Jan 30, 2006 ... by saveliberty (Proud to be Head Snowflake, Bushbot...
Day 33 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 31 of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount? Jan 30, 2006 ... by saveliberty (Proud to be Head Snowflake, Bushbot...
#2. To: Brian S (#0)
#3. To: Badeye (#2)
A topic I think Brian S and I agree on.
#4. To: Brian S, murron (#3)
#5. To: Badeye (#4)
my anti groupie's gonna getcha for that you know....(chuckle)
#6. To: Murron (#5)
#7. To: Badeye (#6)
Just thought it was funny to note. I'm betting even Brian S got a laugh out of it.
#8. To: Boofer (#4)
#9. To: Brian S (#0)
Measure To Legalize Marijuana Will Be On California's November Ballot
#10. To: Badeye (#2)
Should have been decriminalized decades ago. Its always been a fools errand to try to outlaw what is literally 'a weed'.
#11. To: Brian S (#0)
#12. To: Fred Mertz (#10)
#13. To: Badeye (#12)
#14. To: Fred Mertz (#13)
#15. To: Fred Mertz (#10)
Oh what a DUFFLE-HEAD that Barack Obama is !!! Duffle-Head (As used in a Felix the Cat cartoon) A wicked person of limited intelegence but with pretenses of intelectual grandeur. Their only successful endevors are usually the invention of self punishment machines.
#16. To: Badeye (#2)
(Edited)
Should have been decriminalized decades ago. Its always been a fools errand to try to outlaw what is literally 'a weed'.
#17. To: Murron (#16)
(Edited)
#18. To: Murron (#16)
(Edited)
#19. To: Badeye, war (#18)
#20. To: Murron (#19)
#21. To: All (#20)
#22. To: Badeye (#20)
#23. To: dont eat that (#22)
(Edited)
#24. To: Badeye (#23)
(Edited)
All I can say is...I'm not posting to him. I'm not responding to him.
#25. To: Boofer (#23)
#26. To: Badeye (#23)
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