Bill to Legalize Marijuana in California

Ardentfrost · 07-01-2008, 02:36 PM

It's just in the proposal stage right now, but with less than 700k more signatures (by Sept 5) they can get it put on the ballot in CA and the people would be able to vote on whether or not normal citizens could buy Marijuana from anyone with a license (I think the wording puts it in the same licensing category as alcohol). CA would tax the substance and regulate how it's sold in the same way alcohol and tobacco is currently. The proposal would also reclass weed in the same category as alcohol and tobacco instead of crack and heroine which is where it is now.

I think this is great. It's been 12 years since they legalized medical use of pot, and now they might get to vote on whether or not to make it fully legal. I don't really know how it would work in practice since it is federally illegal and even the state-run medical marijuana facilities are very secret so they don't get raided by feds (which does happen sometimes).

However, passing the law could pave the way for changing the federal laws and making it a state issue. That would be a magnificent step forward.

Here's the link to the short text, which also has a link to the full text.

California Secretary of State - Elections & Voter Information - Initiative Update

thewise1 · 07-01-2008, 03:20 PM

Never used or even seen pot in person, hope it passes.

Then they can work on their firearms laws, kick out about 66% of their people, and I might want to live there

IminWonderland · 07-01-2008, 04:41 PM

This would be an amazing source of tax revenue for California, considering the problems we have with the budget right now.

Ardentfrost · 07-01-2008, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by thewise1

Never used or even seen pot in person, hope it passes.

Not even SEEN it in person?!? Wow. I know lots of people that smoke, though I've never done it myself. A libertarian friend of mine once asked me why I don't smoke and I explained "I find it more powerful when someone who has never done drugs advocates the delegislation of them." Ever since then if I'm at his house and someone else goes "hey Josh, want some of this? [passing joint my way]" he's the one that jumps in and says "naw, he doesn't smoke... and he has good political reasons not to."

Originally Posted by thewise1

Then they can work on their firearms laws, kick out about 66% of their people, and I might want to live there

It's a Catch-22. Those people who will be voting for this marijuana thing are likely the same ones that wanted to enact really strict gun laws. We side with conservatives about guns and liberals about drugs. So we either live in a gun filled, drug free society, or a drug filled gun free society.... unless libertarians can ever get the message more popular.

Smull · 07-01-2008, 05:40 PM

This is great, I've always thought that the drug war, especially the marijuana aspect of it, was one of the worst policies out there from both a moral and practical standpoint. I may have to make a pilgrimage to Cali just to celebrate if this passes.

thewise1 · 07-01-2008, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

Not even SEEN it in person?!? Wow. I know lots of people that smoke, though I've never done it myself. A libertarian friend of mine once asked me why I don't smoke and I explained "I find it more powerful when someone who has never done drugs advocates the delegislation of them." Ever since then if I'm at his house and someone else goes "hey Josh, want some of this? [passing joint my way]" he's the one that jumps in and says "naw, he doesn't smoke... and he has good political reasons not to."

Well, I know a lot of folks that smoke as well, and I have no problem with it, but yea, I've never seen it I don't think. At least not that I realized

It's a Catch-22. Those people who will be voting for this marijuana thing are likely the same ones that wanted to enact really strict gun laws. We side with conservatives about guns and liberals about drugs. So we either live in a gun filled, drug free society, or a drug filled gun free society.... unless libertarians can ever get the message more popular.

Yeah. Very true.

motivez · 07-01-2008, 06:24 PM

How do people in California go about helping by providing their signatures?

Scrum · 07-01-2008, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Smull

This is great, I've always thought that the drug war, especially the marijuana aspect of it, was one of the worst policies out there from both a moral and practical standpoint. I may have to make a pilgrimage to Cali just to celebrate if this passes.

Agreed.

The fact that we put people in prison with thieves and violent offenders who only got busted with weed is ridiculous.

kombayn · 07-01-2008, 08:37 PM

First time I've heard of the bill but I'm excited for it. If the bill passes that is a huge step forward for the state. It is sad about the gun laws though, people are scared of gangs that's why they have strict gun laws. That law needs to be reformed to people who don't have a criminal record should be able to carry a firearm.

Smull · 07-01-2008, 09:49 PM

anyone know if you have to be 18 or 21?

Ardentfrost · 07-01-2008, 11:27 PM

It's just in the proposal stage right now. It's got a long way to go and not a lot of time.

I scoured the internet for where people in CA can sign the petition for a solid 2.5-3 minutes and didn't find anything. Maybe they're going around in person, which seems unrealistic.

If anyone finds anything, let us know. I know I can't sign it, but I'd seek out CA natives to throw in their support