Vote YES or NO on Prop 19

[vta]

Pot Legalization Would Improve Safety: Study

Author
Matt Baume
Source
NBC Bay Area


Yesterday, we learned that legalizing pot would give the state a financial shot in the arm. Today, we're learning that legalization could provide a significant boost to public safety, too.

That's the conclusion of a new study by the RAND Corporation, which examined the potential impacts of Prop 19. Chief among those effects would be "defunding" unregulated black markets like local drug dealers and cartels.

With pot regulated and controlled like alcohol, the market will grow increasingly stable, the study concludes. In addition, a regulated industry will provide safer pot to customers, rather than the mysterious unregulated hodgepodge that millions of Americans currently smoke.

Of course, the Drug Enforcement Administration, which rakes in boatloads of cash to perform risky, ineffective raids, might disagree. But the study makes short work of the DEA's claims, writing that the government's "existing estimates about drug production and consumption are cryptic, inconsistent, and often impossible to verify." In other words, the government's statistics might as well be completely made up, just like the imagined "risks" of smoking pot. "The most significant harm associated with smoking cannabis is being arrested," says one pot expert.

According to the RAND study, should pot be legalized, cartels would find pot prices drop so dramatically -- and quality improve -- that the black market would be more more lucrative than growing carrots. Current estimates suggest that drug cartels could stand to lose as much as $2 billion if Prop 19 passes.

These estimates are far from speculative. The effects of a domestic pot industry are already felt in counties like Mendocino, where black-market drugs have been edged out by locally-produced cannabis.

 

[vta]

Humboldt County supervisors decide to support Prop. 19

Author
Donna Tam
Source
Times Standard


The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday to support Proposition 19, despite some members' hesitation over the measure to legalize marijuana.

Although 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace had originally recommended the board take a “no position,” 4th District Supervisor Bonnie Neely said she supported Proposition 19 and she thinks the board should as well because of marijuana's ties to Humboldt's economy and public safety.

Neely said while it's true that Proposition 19 does not have all its regulations ironed out, not many propositions do. She said it would be an opportunity for officials to bring people from various groups together to figure out regulation.

”This is our economic future to some extent and we shouldn't ignore that,” Neely said. “We should embrace it and regulate it at the local level.”

Lovelace had said even after his extensive research, he could not come up with a suggested position because of the county's history with the marijuana industry.

”Despite having spent more time on this initiative then others, I ultimately felt like there's just not enough there,” he said.

Lovelace also brought up legislation from Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, that would create regulations and build on Proposition 19, if it is passed.

The board ended up voting 4-1 to support it, with 1st District Supervisor Jimmy Smith abstaining.

Smith said he still had hesitations about placing the burden of regulations on local jurisdictions.

”Maybe this will be a step, but my reluctance to do this is based on infrastructure -- we don't have the resources to do that,” he said.

Syreeta Lux, chair of the Humboldt Medical Marijuana Advisory Panel (HuMMAP) urged the board to support the proposition during public comment.

”I really appreciate this discussion. I think it represents where every voter stands on Prop. 19 right now -- not knowing what will happen and what it will do for us,” she said, adding that it would help the local economy move forward.

”We're sorry that it will fall into your laps, but we want to help you with that,” Lux said.
The board also had a discussion about Lovelace's recommendations regarding the other ballot measures, propositions 20, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, despite one member of the public's concern.

Fifth District Supervisor Jill Duffy said while she appreciated the discussion on the ballot measures, she thinks it should have happened earlier considering the high number of county residents that vote by mail.

The elections office estimates that about 46 percent of the county electorate will vote by mail in November.

McKinleyville resident David Elsebush said he did not think it was appropriate for Lovelace to be promoting his opinion of the ballots, and asked for the item to be pulled from the agenda.
County Counsel Wendy Chaitin said California law allows the board to support or oppose a ballot measure, as long as the board does not use county funds to campaign for a measure.

 

[Herborizer]

Did someone say hookers?

 

[vta]

If your near Los Angeles...9:30 Tonight on KCAL 9---Prop19 Debate

 

[Herborizer]

If your near Los Angeles...9:30 Tonight on KCAL 9---Prop19 Debate

Norcal here. Internet broadcast?

 

[vta]

i can't find one....but there sure be a video afterwords

 

[vta]

Debate starting now

Judge Gray vs Covia's Police Chief

 

[vta]

I wonder how true this is................

who knows...these polls have what 1,000 people...sometimes less or more.


CA Marijuana Initiative Prop 19 Still Leading, 48-44
By: Jon Walker Wednesday October 20, 2010 11:00 am



Proposition 19, the initiative to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana in California, is still holding on to a very narrow lead according to a new SurveyUSA poll.

SurveyUSA (10/15-10/18)
California voters may also vote on several propositions. On Proposition 19, which would change California law to legalize marijuana and allow it to be regulated and taxed, are you … Certain to vote yes? Certain to vote no? Or not certain? {Not Certain voters were asked: At this hour, on Proposition 19, do you … lean toward yes? lean toward no, or do you not lean?}
Certain Yes 48
Certain No 44
Not Certain 8

A SurveyUSA poll from early this month found Prop 19 winning 48 percent “yes,” -41 percent “no.” As expected with most ballot measures, it appears the undecided are breaking toward “no,” although the change is within the margin of error.

Importantly, the number of likely voters who plan to vote for Prop 19 seems to be holding remarkably steady. Almost every poll has found the percentage of voters planning to vote for the initiative hovering right around 50 percent.

Given the remarkable lack of movement in the polls, the incredibly high voter awareness of the ballot measure and the tendency for undecideds to break against an initiative, it’s passage or failure is going to come down to turnout. The young people who overwhelming support Prop 19 don’t tend to turnout in midterm elections, but if they do, they could put the initiative over the top. Either way, it will likely be an extremely close vote.

 

[dagnabit]

Did someone say hookers?

maybe smoking with underage hookers should have been included..

good enough reason to vote no?

 

[Gypsy Nirvana]

come on dagnabit, let's try and keep the debate on a serious track.....

 

[dagnabit]

gypsy.....its hard to keep serious when presented with the kind of foolishness displayed herein

Maybe if CA prop 19 had the nice lax hooker laws people would be less uptight about the restrictions on gardens or smoking with minors?

 

[mean mr.mustard]

Dag I think you've missed a tongue in cheek comment and the humor surrounding it.

Get angry if you like.... just be sure to add something to the discussion besides "Grrrrr..."

 

[Ben Tokin]

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/blogs/prop-zero/Marijuana-Crushes-Grapes-as-Cash-Crop-105288093.html?dr

Marijuana Crushes Grapes as Cash Crop

The most persuasive argument for legalizing pot might just be a dollar sign.

California's pot crop is worth $14 billion, according to a state report. The Press Democrat points out that crushes the wine crop which comes in at $2 billion.

Legalization would be a huge shot in the arm for plenty of ancillary industries, such as banking and construction.

Of course, there's always the possibility that the federal government would crack down. That risk might make investors too skittish to get involved. Earlier this month, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the government would continue its dangerous raids.

Some regions, such as Mendocino County, have leaned on pot agriculture as other industries dried up. It's estimated that at least half of that county's economy depends on cultivation of the plant.

The only sure thing is that there's no sure thing. Marijuana legalization is uncharted territory. Or at least, it's uncharted in this country. Other countries have managed to figure it out, but here in The Land of the Free, we've clung to prohibition.

Earlier, the state estimated that it could rake in $1.4 billion in taxes if Prop 19 passes, but they've since backed off that estimate, claiming that there are too many unknown variables. Prop 19 would allow each individual municipality to set its own pot regulations, which some detractors have said will create an unwieldy patchwork of laws. Coincidentally, most of those who oppose legalization are those who make money from prohibition: law enforcement agencies and the alcohol industry.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Patient and Resource Center has established a gleaming treatment center for medical usage. The attractive, safe space has turned into big business, luring patients from around the city by offering extras like meditation classes, social events, and art.
BY Matt Baume // Wednesday, Oct 20, 2010 at 12:24 PDT

 

[TruthOrLie]

According to my local news, Prop 19 has 44% to pass, 49% to fail, with 3.5% margin of error.

So if they underestimated the Pro votes and overestimated the No votes, this thing should be law.

Keep your fingers crossed the news don't know nuthin.

 

[tonto]

small question

prop gets voted on nov 2nd, when is the final result/count released?

 

[kmk420kali]

Debate starting now

Judge Gray vs Covia's Police Chief

The Police Chief seemed to not be able to get passed the Drugged Driving thing...he had Nothing!!

 

[dagnabit]

Dag I think you've missed a tongue in cheek comment and the humor surrounding it.

Get angry if you like.... just be sure to add something to the discussion besides "Grrrrr..."

angry?

no anger here or in my post.
just pointing out the absurdity i see from the henny penny types.
however id rather see anger that cowardice...

shits about to get real

 

[Runner]

small question

prop gets voted on nov 2nd, when is the final result/count released?

I second that. Is there any site that will maybe show preliminary results, exit polls etc?

 

[vta]

The Police Chief seemed to not be able to get passed the Drugged Driving thing...he had Nothing!!

Gray shot him down pretty good. To me he seemed to have won between the two. The fear mongering was very apparent with the Chief, which makes him lose tons of credibility. I also think the moderator leans Yes. The spokesperson for No on 19 is just a bastard the way he stretched the truth. Now the Union guy...I would like to buy him a beer! Between him and the Judge...I think we won the debate. The end was classic with Judge Gray calling out the Chief on his tactics...classic.



Debate video...........
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/category/news/

click that to watch...you then need to pick it from the video clip menu.

 

[vta]

Words from a rational activist….
Posted by Mickey Martin on October 21st, 2010

“This week I saw someone post that they were going to vote against Prop 19 because it was of no benefit to them. To the people who believe this, and the people who sympathize with this argument, I ask you to think of more than yourself. Because I strongly feel that Prop 19 could change the world. Consider that it is the only legalization bill with any funding in California. Please vote to LEGALIZE, even if the law is not perfect. Prop 19 affects so much more than you.

How lucky you are to be able to even discuss the ability to legalize freely among your peers, rather than be forced to hide your hobby from your colleagues due to possible reprimands. How privileged you are because you live in a place where you can get a card and walk into a store and purchase the finest strains of marijuana, instead of crawling like an animal in back alleys, outside of view, like a common criminal. How fortunate you are that illegal possession of cannabis is decriminalized, so you need not worry that your possession of a flower is not considered a state felony, or that your small baggie might land you in jail.

Perhaps, right now, you might consider that throughout almost the entire planet, people just like you worry about these things every day. Thousands are arrested, incarcerated, and convicted for what you are lucky enough to be able to enjoy every day.

In addition, we cannot find friends to smoke with. We cannot tell our parents about it, because of the stigma against cannabis. We are stereotyped, marginalized, and underrepresented. And on the first Tuesday this November, you can end this.

Were California to legalize, perceptions would slowly change. Even if California makes little in tax revenue and saves little on its police budget, people would see that California was unchanged. It did not descend into a hell of stoners. People would see that the complete legalization of cannabis doesn’t harm society.

At first it might be slow. But maybe Germany, seeing the success of California, would finally pass a medical marijuana law. Maybe a few states would decriminalize. Maybe Washington would also legalize. But it will begin to spread — full legalization in several states. At that point the Federal Government would have no choice but to legalize — perceptions will have shifted and a majority of Americans will favor legalization.

And when America legalizes, other countries will follow. Perhaps we will establish trade routes for cannabis. Maybe designer buds will start showing up, with as many strains as there are different alcoholic beverages, and maybe we’ll have cannabis stores around as often as we see liquor stores. Maybe we’ll have cannabis bars and pizza pubs that also serve cannabis. Maybe we’ll finally have our say in congress.

The world is looking to California. You, the privileged ones: be the beacon of hope for the world.”

-rlbond86