Marijuana legalization initiative headed for 2010 ballot, organizers say

Supporters of an initiative that would legalize marijuana in California say they have collected enough signatures to ensure that it will be on the November 2010 ballot.

The petition drive, which was run by a professional signature-gathering firm, collected more than 680,000 signatures, 57% more than the 433,971 valid signatures needed to put it on the ballot, said Richard Lee, the measure's main proponent.

"It was so easy to get them," Lee said. "People were so eager to sign."

The initiative would also allow cities and counties to adopt their own laws to allow marijuana to be grown and sold, and the localities could impose taxes on any aspect of marijuana production and sales. It would make it legal for adults over 21 years old to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and to grow it in a 25-square-foot area for personal use.

It is one of four initiatives circulating that aim to legalize marijuana use.

Lee, who owns Coffeeshop Blue Sky, Oaksterdam University and other pot-related businesses, said he has spent at least $1.1 million so far to put the measure before California voters. He said he expects the campaign to cost between $7 million and $20 million, depending on how much opponents spend. He said he hopes to raise most of that from marijuana legalization supporters across the country and he has already set up an Internet fundraising operation.

"We feel like we've done our part," he said.

Polls have shown that a majority of California voters support legalization. A Field Poll taken in mid-April found that 56% of voters in the state and 60% in Los Angeles County want to make legalize and tax pot as a way to help solve the state's fiscal crisis. In October, a poll taken by a nonpartisan firm for the Marijuana Policy Project found 54% support in the county.

A poll taken for the initiative's proponents by EMC Research, an opinion research firm in Seattle, found that 51% of likely voters supported it based on language similar to what will be on the ballot, but support increased to 54% when they were read a more general synopsis.

Some marijuana legalization advocates initially criticized Lee for moving forward with his measure, arguing that they would have a better chance in 2012, a presidential election year.

"I think things have turned our way so much that we have a good chance of winning without having to wait to 2012," Lee said. "This is the time to bring up the issue and talk about it. Who knows what will be going on in 2012?"

Lee said that the increasing acceptance of medical marijuana has changed the political dynamic. Since the Obama administration announced it would not prosecute medical marijuana providers or users who follow state law, hundreds of dispensaries have opened in California.

"Medical marijuana in California has been accepted as legalization in some ways by a lot of the population," he said, noting the widespread awareness that it is easy to get a doctor's recommendation to use it. "To me this is codifying what it happening."

Lee said he did not think that the backlash against dispensaries, which in many cases have flouted local laws by opening in neighborhoods, would have much effect on his campaign. "It's tough to say whether it's more good or bad," he said. "On one hand, you have your bad apples, on the other hand, it shows the need for better regulation."

-- John Hoeffel

Related

L.A. acts to cap medical marijuana dispensaries

D.A. will prosecute medical marijuana dispensaries -- even if L.A. does not ban sales

Interactive map: Where’s the weed?

Comments

[e cigarettes]

This is wonderful news. I can't wait to see how this plays out!

[jess]

California 2010. South Carolina...erm 2094 maybe

[Senhor Tambor]

...and Utah in 3010.

[LifeIssues100]

POT USERS-DATABASE!
U.S. & Internationally Published Medical/Science Reports,
in public Databases, prove:
Pot 'flashbacks' can happen weeks after use of Pot!
Pot physically damages the human brain!
Pot physically damages human dna for 4 generations!
The damaged dna is being passed on to Pot Users' babies!
There are legal drugs available that do not cause 'flashbacks', weeks after use!
The screening system of Pot Cards is a joke by all medical
standards.
TAXPAYERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHO IS 'UNDER THE INFLUENCE:
ON THE HIGHWAYS,
IN THE WORKPLACE,
IN THE COURTROOMS,
IN LAW ENFORCEMENT,
IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES,
IN SCHOOLROOMS WITH CHILDREN,
IN DOCTORS OFFICES & HOSPITALS!
EVERY 'ORDER BY ANY PERSON OF AUTHORITY' BECOMES SUSPECT OF
DRUG USE/ABUSE/UNDER THE INFLUENCE!
POT USERS/ABUSERS/ADDICTS NEED TO BE LISTED IN A PUBLIC
DATABASE!
THE PUBLIC CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ANY MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE
TO DRUG ACCIDENTS
!

[Francisco]

The "medical pot" store near my office is now guarded by gang members. Gee, I can't wait to see what happens once this badly written initiative passes. Then the Mexican Mafia can open stores in every neighborhood in California, and have an easy distribution network for all of their drugs. And there's virtually no regulation in the initiative, so there's nothing anyone can do to stop them. Coming soon to your neighborhood! Good luck to you!

[Adrian]

Yeah yeah, everyone get excited for another bill to legalized marijuana! surprised most comments are how it wont be harmful, and how it should be legalized already, but the truth is these initiatives and bills to legalized Marijuana have come and gone for the last 40 years, and they never pass. It's just not the time yet and this one will flop just like the rest.

[Rob]

HERE IS THE DEAL PEOPLE...

This is a great initiative that's long over due, to all the smokers out there, talk to your friends and family and get them behind this initiative. Many people have the wrong idea regarding marijuana, people need to have the right information to make the right decision.

[RabidinL.A.]

Yeehaw! Something to be happy about! Let's get rid of the scummy gangs and their repugnant cartels! Yay! Tax money for our poor, drained state!
@ student - CSUF - right on!
@Pam - way to go, sounds like me, except I was fortunate enough not to have alcoholic parents, only pothead older brothers.
@mmsddd - MJ has not ever killed anyone, alcohol has. If one is drunk and smokes pot, it's the alcohol behind the driver's wheel that causes accidents and fatalities, not pot. You can die of alcohol poisoning, there is no such thing as "pot poisoning". I have a perfect driving record and smoke it in the privacy of my own home. So please, get your facts straight and unpoison that mind of yours. MAKE SURE YOU ALL VOTE!!! God save the plants.

[Carli Nunya]

So, after thinking long and hard over this situation, considering how dead the economy has been for quite some time now, as a patient, I am all for Americans having thriving businesses. Especially here in Los Angeles. A cap is a good idea, but please, allow the Dispensaries that have been operating legally, to all stay open. I have met more compassionate store owners in the last few months, since having a valid prescription since 2006. The store at Olympic and Bundy is run by CA peeps, and is very resoanable to it's patients. If you all impose a CAP, these fine folks would lose their business. And this is exactly what we don't need. More closed downs store fronts dotting L.A. County. I understand City Council has a full plate, but please don't punish my favorite pharmacies, just because they are newer. They keep the folks that aren't so compassionate, a bit more so. Please, think of us the patients when u all vote on a CAP. Please allow the honest new folks to stay around in America and help out our fellow citizens. Peace to you, Car.

[MarK]

more dope-heads coming, but tax money is important right?

[dev-null]

The article says 1 oz and 25 sq. feet - that doesnt make much sense to me in a few ways

25 sq ft is enough for lots of plants as kooo posted.

One plant yields way over an ounce - when your one plant is finished, do you discard the rest of the cannabis and hope the ounce you can keep lasts until the next plant is ready ?

[sirteachyou]

Good for California, a state that has always been a leader, sadly I live in PA, a state that does not even have medical pot. I would consider moving to California if this bill passes. This will be a giant boost to your economy and will put a lot of people to work growing herb.

[Mike]

In Response to previous Statements....

1) Marijuana does not give you "Flashbacks", that is a blatant, obvious lie.

2) If Marijuana is so harmful to one's body, Why do they prescribe it to Cancer patients? Why do they prescribe it to people with sleep disorders?

3) Obama and his administration said themselves that they would not prosecute, condemn, or harm any state mandated Marijuana smoking citizens or businesses.

4) California Prisons are PACKED to the brim with people for smoking, possessing, and selling/buying Marijuana. What is the problem with this? The Penal System is turning away drunk drivers, rapists, thiefs, and Narcotics dealers (Heroine, Crack, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, L.S.D. etc etc.) and instead are housing people who've been busted for smoking Marijuana. Whats worse, a pothead on the street or a rapist? How about a thief?

5) In 2008 alone, nearly a 850,000 people were arrested for Marijuana related crimes, including possession and use of. Also in 2008, there were 1.6 million inmates in the California Prison system, if Marijuana were to be legalized the number of inmates in California Prison systems would be cut in HALF. Instead of having potheads in prison where they can do about as much harm as they can do on the street, we can make room for rapists, narcotics dealers, assault convicts, and thiefs.

7) As many of you are aware, California is in a serious state of debt, 69 billion dollars to be exact. How do we get out of this huge debt we've amounted? Well, why not legalize Marijuana? Federal estimates for revenue from Marijuana is placed at 14 Billion dollars, annually. I would just like to note that these are conservative federal estimates, and that with the legalization of the plant more would be enticed to purchase the crop. Even with these Federal estimates, California would be out of debt in 5 Years. Just 5 years.

In closing, the legalization of Marijuana would the most logical, rational, intelligent decision in California history. Persons under the age of 21 would be unable to purchase, solicit, smoke, or possess Marijuana and absolutely no person(s) would be allowed to operate a vehicle under its effects. No longer would California citizens have to purchase illegally. No longer would California citizens have to finance drug wars in Mexico. No longer would our prison systems be packed. No longer would we be in debt.

[bruce]

these pro-organizations should start putting out ads about the benefits:
1) TAX DOLLARS
2) There has never been a case of cancer associated with smoking pot.
3) Informative ads about the benefits for those that need its healing properties
4) Release more research studies. They have been studying marijuana in Israel for 20-30 years.
5) LESS CRIME - CUT OFF THE CARTELS
6) Showing ALCOHOL / TOBACCO cause more deaths in a month than marijuana has caused since its existence.

[bruce]

these pro-organizations should start putting out ads about the benefits:
1) TAX DOLLARS
2) There has never been a case of cancer associated with smoking pot.
3) Informative ads about the benefits for those that need its healing properties
4) Release more research studies. They have been studying marijuana in Israel for 20-30 years.
5) LESS CRIME - CUT OFF THE CARTELS
6) Showing ALCOHOL / TOBACCO cause more deaths in a month than marijuana has caused since its existence.

[PAguy]

Congrats on using Democracy the way our founding fathers intended. I hope my state and all others will use CA as an example of how voting and taking action can lead to real positive change. I don't smoke the green stuff myself, but I don't find it dangerous (unlike hard drugs) and I support people's personal rights to smoke it. Plus, all the revenue could pull our country out of the financial crapper.

[Joe Parks]

This might put some lawyers out of work. Can they be retrained?

[Mark]

One more reason for Southerners to hate California. The South is the most anti-marijuana region of the country. No wonder I left as soon as I became an adult.

[terri]

I just hope this doesn't become another prop 8 issue, where we become the first and then everyone else follows, only to have a few self righteous whacks take advantage of the prevailing prejudge in our culture.

[I hate narcotics]

It's a drug! People can't be driving with this stuff!! They hallucinate! Why would you legalize this stuff???????

[Al]

Marijuana prohibition is 100% unconstitutional. Let's vote for freedom!

[John Mcgregor]

Overwhelming numbers of people smoking/eating/ using marijuana in this country shows that Prohibition and Propaganda does NOT work! Look at the number of people that use marijuana for a variety of elements; depression, anxiety, pain, to sleep, for cancer, for aids, for all sorts of ailments! Education and experience has shown me that Marijuana is not drug, but a CURE for all sorts of ailments.

Alcohol is really the demon and Gateway drug NOT marijuana; and the best part is that EVERYONE is starting to finally realize how beneficial marijuana is to so many people.

I won't listen to any critics, any of their false degrading arguments that are not valid. "oh what about the kids?" Who cares about your kids? YOU, so stop shoving your ideologies and your paranoia's about how you parent your own kids on everyone else!

And for all the people that say "smoking is bad" then eat the marijuana in food or use a VAPORIZER which eliminates all the tars and toxins that you get from smoking.

If this country is really founded on FREEDOM, then I should have the FREEDOM to use, and obtain marijuana SAFELY, and responsibly as long as its not interfering with others.

Life/liberty/ the pursuit of happiness. Just Let me live my life the way I WANT to and stop telling me what to do!

[crystal hamby]

It's long overdue...shouldn't have ever been illegal in the first place..Regulate it and tax it like alcohol and tobacco and it's a win-win situation...think I will blaze one up now!

[Massman]

Very nice!!!!! Im pleased to read this article! The writing is on the wall for legalization. I live in massachusettes, we dicrimnalized last year and are pushing for medical this year! Its great, In my hometown people are smoking joints in public, just chillen on the bench or walking their dog. Other citicens dont care, they just mind thier own buisness and continue with their day. Were a two steps behind California. Medical this year and legalization next! We can only hope. I commend californians for leading the front!!!!!!!!

[I hate narcotics]

This stuff was illegal because it was dangerous....Seriously,, why do people need to smoke? Can't they pass their time playing basketball or just smoking regular cigarettes? how hard is it just to not smoke weed. You just don't smoke. why?