The High and the Mighty: Inside California's Marijuana Politics

The High and the Mighty: Inside California's Marijuana Politics

Al-Jazeera investigates how the legalisation of cannabis in California could impact the economy and the criminal justice system.

Cannabis is California's number one cash crop. This fall, voters will decide whether or not to fully legalise the drug and transform US drug policy.

The implications are huge if it passes. It will have a profound effect on the state's struggling economy, the overburdened criminal justice system and even the raging drug war in neighbouring Mexico that has claimed nearly 30,000 lives.

In the meantime, no politicians running for statewide office are supporting the measure. What does that say about the politics of cannabis?

On this episode of Fault Lines, Josh Rushing travels deep inside the world of cannabis in California to explore the implications for the economy, politicians and the criminal justice system. What will it mean if the state votes to legalise it?


http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/faultlines/2010/09/2010930122157461130.html


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Not sure of the coverage of this in our corporate-press -- ?

Not even PBS will pick this up. It's too fair and balanced. In fact, it gives a little too much time to the idiots who claim inceased access = increasesd use, especially the young, and some medicinal retailer who will vote no because Ca purportedly has not even got medicinal herb law straightened out. Same lame reasons we hear all the time. But overall a good view. I likes how the writers understand that passage will be a very big deal, with global implications.

I linked it to my FB page in order to get some feedback from friends and relatives, many of whom are pretty conservative.

I'm definitely voting yes on Prop. 19.

"Cannabis is California's number one cash crop. This fall, voters will decide whether or not to fully legalise the drug and transform US drug policy"

Proposition 19 does *not* "fully legalise" cannabis. Far Far Far from it. It's a step back from 215, and it's bad precedent. People better hope if this passes it's not copied anywhere else.

Unless people think "fully legalise" means under an ounce in public, a 5x5 foot grow area *Per Residence* NOT per Resident! and making private sales illegal (gee what a boon to dispensary owners, like the principle author of 19!)

Furthermore, I'm guessing very few people that are supporters of this ridiculous piece of legislation have either read it or read any criticism from any lawyers or analysts.

Just read a paragraph or two of analysis. Make the effort that few supporters have.

http://votetaxcannabis2010.blogspot.com/

http://votetaxcannabis2010.blogspot.com/p/attorney-dragonfly-is-correct-about.html

http://votetaxcannabis2010.blogspot.com/p/8-issues-prop-19-supporters-refuse-to.html

A fascinating discussion is taking place here:

http://forums.cannabisculture.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1657506&page=19

The Mark Emery of 1995 would have never supported this POS, OR slimed someone who questioned it. What happened?

a) has no soul and b) is so bereft of vision, that one wonders whether they could succeeed in the medical pot business long term anyway.

As to the former, if you want to protect your own little turf at the expense of a racist, unjust, fiscally irresponsible system that also fosters a dangerous mexican criminal element right here in CA, by all means raise your hand. I'll let some of the other here verbally beat you up. And as to latter, medical pot professionals should relish the chance to go big. If you think you will get crushed by the big guys, then lobby your local elected officials to protect you. Market your stuff as something worth buying. That's what 19 is all about.

Prop 19 is not perfect, but it's long over due.