Norm Stamper, a 34-year veteran police officer and former chief of police in Seattle, speaks out in support of Alice Huffman, leader of the California NAACP, after she came under attack from Bishop Ron Allen and other California African-American leaders for endorsing Proposition 19.
From The Huffington Post
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Steven Greenhut: Can GOP quit weed whacking?
Very well written opinion piece from the director of the Pacific Research Institute's CalWatchdog Center and former Orange County Register coumnist Steven Greenhut. He makes excellent arguments why true small-government conservatives and classic Republicans should be supporting Proposition 19 (and why the lack of support from gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman and the California Republican Party may be a tactical error).
From the Orange County Register
From the Orange County Register
Opposition to pot measure gains slightly in poll
In contrast to earlier results, 48% of likely voters are now against Proposition 19, survey finds.
Disappointing news from a Field Poll which shows that support for Prop 19 has slipped to 44%. Similar polls in May showed a slight majority favored the initiative.
"The poll found a very high level of awareness of the initiative with more than three-quarters of likely voters saying that they have heard about it. Those voters back it 48% to 44%. But likely voters who had not heard about the measure until they were told about it by the poll takers oppose it by 2 to 1."
Disappointing news from a Field Poll which shows that support for Prop 19 has slipped to 44%. Similar polls in May showed a slight majority favored the initiative.
"The poll found a very high level of awareness of the initiative with more than three-quarters of likely voters saying that they have heard about it. Those voters back it 48% to 44%. But likely voters who had not heard about the measure until they were told about it by the poll takers oppose it by 2 to 1."
In other words, the more people know about Proposition 19, the more they are for it. Many people's first reaction is skepticism and negativity. Talk to people, explain the measure, and correct misconceptions.
From Los Angeles Times
From Los Angeles Times
Deconstructing the Opposition's Claims About the RAND Taxation Analysis
One of the issues in the recent study by the RAND Corporation that has been seized by opponents of Proposition 19 is that the tax revenue from ending cannabis prohibition will not be as great as projected. Roger Salazar, spokesman for "No on Prop 19" claims the RAND study shows, "...even the local tax revenues could be dramatically lower than the claims made by the proponents. In fact, RAND said there would be a greater financial reward to evade new local taxes on a pound of marijuana than there would be to smuggle a pound of marijuana from Mexico to California."
Of course, what the disingenuous Mr. Salazar is not mentioning are two major problems with the RAND analysis being applied to Proposition 19 that I pointed out in my last post, among other numerous caveats made by the authors of the study themselves and conveniently left out of Mr. Salazar's list of "findings," taken primarily from their page two summaries.
Of course, what the disingenuous Mr. Salazar is not mentioning are two major problems with the RAND analysis being applied to Proposition 19 that I pointed out in my last post, among other numerous caveats made by the authors of the study themselves and conveniently left out of Mr. Salazar's list of "findings," taken primarily from their page two summaries.
RAND Study Should Not Be Taken As Gospel
Anyone citing to the recent RAND Corporation paper, "Altered State? Assessing How Marijuana Legalization in California Could Influence Marijuana Consumption and Public Budgets" should note two things especially:
First, the study targets not just the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act (also known as Proposition 19) but California Assembly Bill 2254 (also known as the Ammiano bill). There are important differences. Proposition 19 is a ballot initiative directly voted on by California residents in November. The Ammiano bill is a state congressional bill which would need to pass both the state Assembly and Senate, and then receive the Governor's signature. Both end cannabis prohibition in California, but they have different provisions (for example, a $50/ounce state tax in the bill, a local tax by county and/or city, amount to be decided by locality for the ballot measure). The study appears to separate the two, but many news articles and various opposition groups do not.
First, the study targets not just the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act (also known as Proposition 19) but California Assembly Bill 2254 (also known as the Ammiano bill). There are important differences. Proposition 19 is a ballot initiative directly voted on by California residents in November. The Ammiano bill is a state congressional bill which would need to pass both the state Assembly and Senate, and then receive the Governor's signature. Both end cannabis prohibition in California, but they have different provisions (for example, a $50/ounce state tax in the bill, a local tax by county and/or city, amount to be decided by locality for the ballot measure). The study appears to separate the two, but many news articles and various opposition groups do not.
Monday, July 5, 2010
What does it matter? It will still be illegal to the feds.
One of the more discouraging arguments from pro-cannabis individuals on why they don't support and/or don't care about Proposition 19 is that it doesn't matter if we end cannabis prohibition in California, because California law has no effect on federal law or policy.
It's true that passing Proposition 19 won't directly change federal law. But that doesn't mean it won't have an effect. Obviously everything is pure speculation at this point, but here are some points worth considering.
It's true that passing Proposition 19 won't directly change federal law. But that doesn't mean it won't have an effect. Obviously everything is pure speculation at this point, but here are some points worth considering.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
What will this Proposition let me do?
I hear a lot of people expressing concerns and questions about what Proposition 19 has to say about growing your own marijuana. Can you grow it? Can you keep it? Can you consume it, transport it, sell it?
Can I grow my own?
Let's start with cultivation. Section 3 of Proposition 19 clearly states that, for anyone over 21, it shall be "lawful and shall not be a public offense" to
In plain English: anyone over 21 can grow as much as they want in a 25-square-foot area for personal consumption, on your own private property, rented or owned, provided, if rented, it's okay with your landlord.
Can I grow my own?
Let's start with cultivation. Section 3 of Proposition 19 clearly states that, for anyone over 21, it shall be "lawful and shall not be a public offense" to
Cultivate, on private property by the owner, lawful occupant, or other lawful resident or guest of the private property owner or lawful occupant, cannabis plants for personal consumption only, in an area of not more than twenty-five square feet per private residence or, in the absence of any residence, the parcel. Cultivation on leased or rented property may be subject to approval from the owner of the property. Provided that, nothing in this section shall permit unlawful or unlicensed cultivation of cannabis on any public lands (Section 11300(a)(ii)).
In plain English: anyone over 21 can grow as much as they want in a 25-square-foot area for personal consumption, on your own private property, rented or owned, provided, if rented, it's okay with your landlord.
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