Paul Armentano counters Feinstein's misguided opposition to marijuana legalization

From the LA Times:

Democrat Dianne Feinstein, California's senior U.S. senator, has thrown her weight behind the effort to defeat Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Initiative of 2010. Apparently Feinstein believes that California's present pot prohibition, which was initially enacted in 1913 yet has done nothing to reduce the plant's availability or use, is worth keeping.

Legislative Analyst’s Office Issues Report on Prop 19

From Tax Cannabis 2010:

(Sacramento, CA) The California Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), which provides non-partisan fiscal and policy advice, yesterday [July 20, 2010] released a report on Proposition 19, the initiative to control and tax cannabis in California. The report found that Proposition 19 would enable California to steer police resources toward more pressing matters, generate hundreds of millions in revenue to fund vital services, and protect children, roadways, and workplaces.

Breaking - Oakland votes to permit large marijuana farms

From Associated Press/MSNBC (via BreakingNews on Twitter):

"The Oakland City Council voted 5-2 with one abstention late Tuesday in favor of a plan to license four production plants where marijuana would be grown, packaged and processed."

"One of the co-sponsors of the ordinance, Rebecca Kaplan, said the ordinance would not take effect until January, giving the council time to come up with a plan for medium-sized growers."

"The measure will go before the council one more time for a final vote, but the outcome isn't expected to change."

I'm hearing a lot of worries that this is a sign of things to come, that this pushing out of small growers is exactly what we can expect if Prop 19 passes in the fall.  I admit the possibility, but I don't believe it.  A few things to keep in mind:

Yes, Professor Kleiman, California Can End Cannabis Prohibition

A couple weeks ago, I talked a little about why it's important to pass this ballot initiative even if it doesn't affect federal law.  Recently, an opinion piece by UCLA professor of public policy Mark A.R. Kleiman appeared in the Los Angeles Times with the rather presumptuous headline, "California can't legalize marijuana." I've seen this article get a lot of attention, and some Prop 19 supporters start to look worried.  I'd like to try to set your minds at ease.

Breaking - Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders Endorses Proposition 19

From The New York Times (via @TaxCannabis on Twitter):

Last week, proponents secured what they view as a major endorsement, that of Dr. Joycelyn Elders, the former United States surgeon general and the first black to hold that position.

In a statement to be published in a voter guide, Dr. Elders said the legalization bill would help divert law enforcement resources to more serious threats. “We can let police prevent violent crime, or we can accept the status quo, and keep wasting resources sending tens of thousands of nonviolent marijuana consumers — a disproportionate number who are minorities — to jail,” Dr. Elders wrote.

Dr. Elders has never been afraid to speak up for the truth over "conventional wisdom," propaganda, and politics.

It's a shame that, even after hearing arguments from Assemblyman Ammiano and Alice Huffman of the California NAACP, the California Democratic Party couldn't follow Ammiano, Huffman, and Dr. Elders's courageous example and endorse this historic ballot initiative.  They better hope, politically, that the Republicans don't have their finger on the pulse of California better than they do this time.