On November 2, 2010 California residents will have the opportunity to change California law to legalize Marijuana and Hemp and allow it to be Regulated and Taxed.
Here is a brief summary of Proposition 19:
The original PDF, as submitted to the State, can be found here
Let's go over a few arguments against the proposition.
The biggest fear I see is from Medical users of cannabis. Some fear that this will restrict the way they grow, store, transport and even use the drug. Prop 19 explicitly states that it does not interfere with the protections granted in prop 215 and SB420. The key word there is 'interfere'. There is something special about these voter initiated propositions, since they 'are the will of the people' government cannot restrict the law. 'Other' voter initiatives cannot change another as well. The only way a Medical user under Prop 215 can be restricted is if another voter initiative passes that is explicitly aimed to do such. In other words it would be called something like 'The repeal of The compassionate Act of 1996' and it's only purpose could only be to undo Prop 215. All this is backed up for us by the Kelly decision. Speaking of Kelly, someone here said that because of Kelly and that there are no limits, prop 19 would be used against people. The problem with that is not really understanding the logic in the verdict. The reason the limits were tossed is because Prop 215 never intended to have them. So, the court saw this and because of what I stated above, tossed the limits thus granting Medical users the right to grow what they need for their Medical use. This goes the same as possessing it and transporting it. These are our rights under Prop 215...recognized by the State. If you go to court as a legal Medical user, you fall under the Health and Safety code 11362.5, Prop 215. If you go to court and you're a recreational user, you would fall under whatever H&S code Prop 19 will be.
New Felonies. Now there's one that I don't like. I am not for the increase in penalty for any cannabis related law. I think it is a real shame and it really gives cannabis a black eye. This is a relatively safe drug that can't kill anybody! No way should anybody go to jail for it. But here is the deal. There is no way in this time of age, when the majority of people are so clueless about the truths of cannabis, that an all out legalization Proposition could survive. Who cares what the authors intentions are...in order for anything to have a chance, people will demand restrictions. If they see that this legalization comes with rules and protections, they are more likely to consider. Adult use, generated tax income for local cities, lower the prison population, etc... These are the key points that are needed to get it passed. It HAS to be regulated or the masses won't go for it.
Some growers are afraid. I'm not talking about Mexicans in the forest or Asian gangs in the suburbs...Fuk them. I'm talking about our friends up north that made California cannabis the most desired in the world and our friends that grow for the medical clubs and our other growers that supply the rest. Some are afraid that they will lose business, that Phillip Morris will wipe them out, or there will be a flood of growers and thus no market. Someone even thought only Richard Lee will make money. It is normal to have concerns about ones livelihood and I sympathize with growers on this. On the other side of this there are growers that are optimistic and are planning their future. They see this an opportunity. I couldn't agree more. Especially if you have good product. This can be just like the wine industry...only better.
Now I am a Medical user. Prop 19 has no effect on my growing, limit or anything else. But it does have one major benefit for me and fellow Medical users. LEO will not use cannabis as an excuse to harass or detain or otherwise interfere into my life. It doesn't 'give them a reason' to proceed in any form of questioning. You won't see my post up threads where the cops raided a house with flash bangs burning the place down, shooting a dog all because they 'got a tip'. Not as much anyways.
The real reason to vote yes is to stop the madness. LEO is arresting our kind like it's going out of style. Tens of thousands of us are being put into their system. Nothing ever good comes out of going to jail. What it does to families is a crime all on it's own.
Click Here for this map in interactive format with stats of arrests per county.
Here is a brief summary of Proposition 19:
The original PDF, as submitted to the State, can be found here
Let's go over a few arguments against the proposition.
The biggest fear I see is from Medical users of cannabis. Some fear that this will restrict the way they grow, store, transport and even use the drug. Prop 19 explicitly states that it does not interfere with the protections granted in prop 215 and SB420. The key word there is 'interfere'. There is something special about these voter initiated propositions, since they 'are the will of the people' government cannot restrict the law. 'Other' voter initiatives cannot change another as well. The only way a Medical user under Prop 215 can be restricted is if another voter initiative passes that is explicitly aimed to do such. In other words it would be called something like 'The repeal of The compassionate Act of 1996' and it's only purpose could only be to undo Prop 215. All this is backed up for us by the Kelly decision. Speaking of Kelly, someone here said that because of Kelly and that there are no limits, prop 19 would be used against people. The problem with that is not really understanding the logic in the verdict. The reason the limits were tossed is because Prop 215 never intended to have them. So, the court saw this and because of what I stated above, tossed the limits thus granting Medical users the right to grow what they need for their Medical use. This goes the same as possessing it and transporting it. These are our rights under Prop 215...recognized by the State. If you go to court as a legal Medical user, you fall under the Health and Safety code 11362.5, Prop 215. If you go to court and you're a recreational user, you would fall under whatever H&S code Prop 19 will be.
New Felonies. Now there's one that I don't like. I am not for the increase in penalty for any cannabis related law. I think it is a real shame and it really gives cannabis a black eye. This is a relatively safe drug that can't kill anybody! No way should anybody go to jail for it. But here is the deal. There is no way in this time of age, when the majority of people are so clueless about the truths of cannabis, that an all out legalization Proposition could survive. Who cares what the authors intentions are...in order for anything to have a chance, people will demand restrictions. If they see that this legalization comes with rules and protections, they are more likely to consider. Adult use, generated tax income for local cities, lower the prison population, etc... These are the key points that are needed to get it passed. It HAS to be regulated or the masses won't go for it.
Some growers are afraid. I'm not talking about Mexicans in the forest or Asian gangs in the suburbs...Fuk them. I'm talking about our friends up north that made California cannabis the most desired in the world and our friends that grow for the medical clubs and our other growers that supply the rest. Some are afraid that they will lose business, that Phillip Morris will wipe them out, or there will be a flood of growers and thus no market. Someone even thought only Richard Lee will make money. It is normal to have concerns about ones livelihood and I sympathize with growers on this. On the other side of this there are growers that are optimistic and are planning their future. They see this an opportunity. I couldn't agree more. Especially if you have good product. This can be just like the wine industry...only better.
Now I am a Medical user. Prop 19 has no effect on my growing, limit or anything else. But it does have one major benefit for me and fellow Medical users. LEO will not use cannabis as an excuse to harass or detain or otherwise interfere into my life. It doesn't 'give them a reason' to proceed in any form of questioning. You won't see my post up threads where the cops raided a house with flash bangs burning the place down, shooting a dog all because they 'got a tip'. Not as much anyways.
The real reason to vote yes is to stop the madness. LEO is arresting our kind like it's going out of style. Tens of thousands of us are being put into their system. Nothing ever good comes out of going to jail. What it does to families is a crime all on it's own.
Click Here for this map in interactive format with stats of arrests per county.
