Excitingly, the folks running the Yes on 19 campaign in California asked three LEAP speakers to be the signatories of the initiative's official ballot argument. Check it out:
Yes on Proposition 19 Ballot Argument
PROPOSITION 19: COMMON SENSE CONTROL OF MARIJUANA
Today, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are spent enforcing the failed prohibition of marijuana (also known as “cannabis”).
Currently marijuana is easier for kids to get than alcohol, because dealers don’t require ID.
Prohibition has created a violent criminal market run by international drug cartels.
Police waste millions of taxpayer dollars targeting non-violent marijuana consumers, while thousands of violent crimes go unsolved.
And there is $14 billion in marijuana sales every year in California, but our debt-ridden state gets nothing from it.
Marijuana prohibition has failed.
WE NEED A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO CONTROL AND TAX MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL.
Proposition 19 was carefully written to get marijuana under control.
Under Proposition 19, only adults 21 and over can possess up to one ounce of marijuana, to be consumed at home or licensed establishments. Medical marijuana patients’ rights are preserved.
If we can control and tax alcohol, we can control and tax marijuana.
PUT STRICT SAFETY CONTROLS ON MARIJUANA
Proposition 19 maintains strict criminal penalties for driving under the influence, increases penalties for providing marijuana to minors, and bans smoking it in public, on school grounds, and around minors.
Proposition 19 keeps workplaces safe by preserving the right of employers to maintain a drug-free workplace.
PUT POLICE PRIORITIES WHERE THEY BELONG
According to the FBI, in 2008 over 61,000 Californians were arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession, while 60,000 violent crimes went unsolved. By ending arrests of non-violent marijuana consumers, police will save hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars a year, and be able to focus on the real threat: violent crime.
Police, Sheriffs, and Judges support Proposition 19.
HELP FIGHT THE DRUG CARTELS
Marijuana prohibition has created vicious drug cartels across our border. In 2008 alone, cartels murdered 6,290 civilians in Mexico -- more than all U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.
60 percent of drug cartel revenue comes from the illegal U.S. marijuana market.
By controlling marijuana, Proposition 19 will help cut off funding to the cartels.
GENERATE BILLIONS IN REVENUE TO FUND WHAT MATTERS
California faces historic deficits, which, if state government doesn’t balance the budget, could lead to higher taxes and fees for the public, and more cuts to vital services. Meanwhile, there is $14 billion in marijuana transactions every year in California, but we see none of the revenue that would come from taxing it.
Proposition 19 enables state and local governments to tax marijuana, so we can preserve vital services.
The State’s tax collector, the Board of Equalization, says taxing marijuana would generate $1.4 billion in annual revenue, which could fund jobs, healthcare, public safety, parks, roads, transportation, and more.
LET’S REFORM CALIFORNIA’S MARIJUANA LAWS
Outlawing marijuana hasn’t stopped 100 million Americans from trying it. But we can control it, make it harder for kids to get, weaken the cartels, focus police resources on violent crime, and generate billions in revenue and savings.
We need a common sense approach to control marijuana.
YES on 19.
www.taxcannabis.org
JOSEPH D. MCNAMARA
San Jose Police Chief (Ret.)
JAMES P. GRAY
Orange County Superior Court Judge (Ret.)
STEPHEN DOWNING
Deputy Chief, LAPD (Ret.)
now if we can just convince the feds.
ReplyDeleteForget the feds ... let's focus on Californians, the only ones who can get the job done. We can't drive social change without driving the debate first. Here's one place to do that: http://calpotnews.com/prop19/
ReplyDeleteIf you've been sitting back on the sidelines waiting to make your bold move in the ballot booth, understand it's going to take much more than that. Talk with your friends, your neighbors, your fellow workers, your children. Listen to their fears and the misinformation they've been fed for years, then gently assure them it's going to be OK. Ending prohibition is in EVERYONE'S best interest.
Talk with your friends, your neighbors, your fellow workers, your children. Listen to their fears and the misinformation they've been fed for years, then gently assure them it's going to be OK.
ReplyDeleteI would even suggest one of the easiest things to do is to print out the signed statement above and hand it out. Conversation is helpful and even necessary, but people who are borderline confident on talking about this do not need to reinvent the wheel. Stand on the shoulders of giants, as they say.
This is a wonderful prop. And I am all for the cause except for the section where it states, "Proposition 19 keeps workplaces safe by preserving the right of employers to maintain a drug-free workplace".
ReplyDeleteHow do u expect people to make a living, if you legally allow people to smoke marijuana as a recreation drug or for other medicinal purposes and then employers would deny you employment? You don't lose your job or lose the opportunity for employment if you consume alcohol.. I think it should be revised and exclude marijuana in the work drug-free policy.
I love reading everyones views, it brings new prespectives to the surface, so please keep an open mind.
ReplyDeleteNot only do I think Legalizing Marijuana would take California out of debt. But it will make a lot of our ( Californians) tax dollars go to hard work like fighting gangs in our streets,and violent criminals period.
I read in another article that Mothers against drunk driving are against it because our school bus drivers would be high while driving our kids and future grandkids... Really? Lets think about this.DUI. Do I have to typeanything else? I'm sure it will be the same as drinking and driving. (The Laws)
As for work places... duh, I mean come on . It will be the same as Alchohol. You cant be at work While under the influence of anything. So why try and say it will make our work places an issue. Employers may just have to rewrite their policies and procedures,Possible drug test to be excepted to work for them and random drug test afer employment to conintue to work for them.
Use your Brain people. We as a state can benifit from the legalization of marijuana in so many , and i mean sooo many ways! Wake up and smell the Herb!
Obviously the state will have to put some very detailed restrictions, and regulations. Severe penaltys will and should be given out to those who violate them too. K enough said for now... im running out of ammunition for all these arguements.
I am a nurse and Native American mix, This "Herb" a gift from god is getting a bad reputation. Everyone thinks you have to smoke it, WRONG! It can be taken as a tea, in foods such as muffins, brownies, and also made into a ointment applied to the skin. It is good for nausea, lack of appetite (especially Chemo/Radiation patients)
ReplyDeleteand is very helpful with ADD in adults.
Anita (nurse)
It is interesting to see these comments after the proposal was rejected. Cannabis has no proven medical use. You will notfind a single proven treatment for cannabis anywhere in the medical literature. For individuals to say it is the " only thing that helps" is not proof. It us lke me saying I need a topless massage as it's the " only thingthat helps " my back pain - and if it is done by a fat guy called dave it doesn't work . So perhaps it is simply
ReplyDeletepeople like getting stoned and perhaps it is a convienent excuse to do so.