Marijuana Legalization Will Be On California's 2010 Ballot

Marijuana Legalization Will Be On California's 2010 Ballot
Posted by Daniela Perdomo, AlterNet at 12:42 PM on December 14, 2009.

The Tax & Regulate Cannabis 2010 campaign has just achieved a major victory in its efforts to legalize marijuana for all adults in California -- they have gathered the signatures necessary for inclusion on the state's November ballot.

"This is the next step to sane cannabis policies and the end to the hypocrisy and unjust prohibition of cannabis," pot entrepreneur Richard Lee told me this morning. He is a major sponsor of the Tax Cannabis initiative and the force -- and money -- behind Oaksterdam, the successful marijuana-friendly section of Oakland.

This win means that Californians will be the first in the nation to decide whether they believe marijuana ought be taxed and regulated for all adults over 21, much the same way alcohol is.

The drug reform movement's eyes will be on California next year, because many advocates believe that if the initiative passes, many other states could follow.

Support for marijuana legalization is at an all-time high, with polls ranging from 44 to 52 percent national support. In California, where marijuana has been legalized for medical use since 1996, 56 percent support legalization...

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/144561/breaking%3A_marijuana_legalization_will_be_on_california%27s_2010_ballot/

Even though he's known to have smoked it himself among using other drugs, he seems to be caving to his conservative, corporate sponsors. There's more money to be made in keeping it illegal.

Or do I have it backwards?

A group gathers the signatures and if they get enough valid signatures its placed on the state wide ballot in the general election next fall. If it gets more than 50% of the peoples votes it passes into law.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/06/Schwarzenegger-Marijuana-debate-is-needed/UPI-82621241635254/

DAVIS, Calif., May 6 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says it's time to seriously debate the merits of legalizing and taxing the recreational use of marijuana.

Although the Republican does not support a legalization move, he did say Tuesday in Davis, Calif., that in a time of economic crisis that has plunged the state's budget into red ink, the time is right to discuss the idea, The Sacramento Bee reported Wednesday.

"Well, I think it's not time for (legalization), but I think it's time for a debate," Schwarzenegger said. "I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it. And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect did it have on those countries?"

...which remarks gave the ballot initiative legs earlier this year, showing that it could be taken seriously at the highest levels.

And, as pointed out below, he can't veto a ballot initiative anyway even if he wanted to.

:smoke: