California prop 19

Any opinions on California's prop 19? Summary below.

Allows people 21 years old or older to possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use. Permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production and sale of marijuana to people 21 years old or older. Prohibits people from possessing marijuana on school grounds, using it in public, smoking it while minors are present, or providing it to anyone under 21 years old. Maintains current prohibitions against driving while impaired. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Savings of up to several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments on the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. Unknown but potentially major tax, fee, and benefit assessment revenues to state and local government related to the production and sale of marijuana products.

My opinion on the matter is that marijuana prohibition is as much a failure as alcohol prohibition was. Regulating and taxing it in a similar manner to alcohol and tobacco is the rational approach to weakening the violent cartels that control the current black market trade of this relatively harmless drug. I also think the federal government should re-schedule marijuana. Currently it is a schedule 1 substance, in the same category as heroin and cocaine.

ScottyP wrote:

Any opinions on California's prop 19? Summary below.

My opinion on the matter is that marijuana prohibition is as much a failure as alcohol prohibition was. Regulating and taxing it in a similar manner to alcohol and tobacco is the rational approach to weakening the violent cartels that control the current black market trade of this relatively harmless drug. I also think the federal government should re-schedule marijuana. Currently it is a schedule 1 substance, in the same category as heroin and cocaine.

I agree 100%

I wonder how many states will follow with something similar

Another example of the importance of states rights!!!

First off, the federal government has NO business telling me what substances I can put in my body.

Secondly, screw the taxing of it. It's a WEED! If I grow for my own consumption, why should I be taxed? Should we have a tomato tax for everyone growing their own tomatoes? A bread tax for people that make their own bread?

We are taxed enough already. It's time to seriously stop federal spending increases and truly shrink government!

I don't think they would be taxing home grown product-- it would be similar to making your own beer at home. The taxes would be on product sold on the market. I'm not big on 'sin taxes' per say, but taxing marijuana to fund drug educational and treatment programs does make sense and will untimately help sell measures like this to the general public.

Never thought I'd say this, but way to go Cali!

Why Marijuana is prohibited really makes no sense in my opinion, but I'm sure that some will differ in opinion.

shotgunwill wrote:

but I'm sure that some will differ in opinion.

So far it seems unanimous. There's really no reason for the government to continue down the road of enforcing paternalistic laws that don't work, never have worked, and create far larger problems than they were intended to solve. I don't use drugs, but I flat out don't recognize the government's authority to prohibit me from doing so — I reserve the right to make those kinds of decision for myself.

Pete wrote:

There's really no reason for the government to continue down the road of enforcing paternalistic laws that don't work, never have worked, and create far larger problems than they were intended to solve. I don't use drugs, but I flat out don't recognize the government's authority to prohibit me from doing so — I reserve the right to make those kinds of decision for myself.

Well said Pete.