Prop 19, Cannabis Legalization in California, Fails

i guess i'll never get used to the idea that a plant is illegal

i'm gonna fill my yard with poison ivy, wtf . . .

 

make sure its just the backyard...most cities have bylaws about how much lawn is required for front yards and wont allow anything other than grass

 

I think people aren't doing enough for many things they want to see happen (myself included of course)

People want legalization but most just want to get high, not donate their spare time.

I think that if a large amount of people devoted all their spare time to protest calmly, and sober outside government buildings, mp offices, senator offices, etc. I think we'd see more happen in a shorter amount of time.

Getting together on one day in April, or a few other scattered days throughout the year doesn't accomplish much if anything.

The thing I've noticed about many cannabis protesters though is their nerve. It's nothing to hear one call a police officer a "fucking pig", or to see many light up joints in public in front of the cops. That kind of thing just gets their asses thrown in jail and the issue gets quiet again. Other folks just look at that behaviour and it gives a bad impression of cannabis users.

The public needs to see calm, respectable people standing up for their rights in a presentable way if they're to ever have a good impression of cannabis and cannabis users. Many people still have a mental image of cheech on chong or some street delinquent when they think of cannabis. That image needs to change before the public will change their minds on cannabis.

Unfortunately many are all too attached to the cosmetic aspects of the cannabis culture and it hinders their ability to present a good, respectable front for the public to see.

There are many users who are extremely passionate and devoted to the cause, but the fact of the matter is that most users just want to get high or make money, they don't give a shit about the cause.

 

I'm not surprised, this prop made me very nervous. I don't live in Cali so I guess it really won't matter to me anyway. Still, it would have been nice to feel like legalization is making some head way. I'll be high no matter the legal status so.... peace!

 

And yeah I agree lunaverse, we all like to pretend that we care, but most (myself included) just want to get high, to us it doesnt really matter because we will stay high lol. I would like to get involved, but like you said, giving up spare time is hard. No complaining if you havent peacefully protested, so I'll shut my mouth hehe.

 

I agree with you HipChris, I think you totally hit the nail on the head.

I know that in my neck of the woods, people greatly fear heavy taxation and big business and didn't want to see cannabis go the way of tobacco.

 

i think this is just a sad indication that the propagandists have won again.

Flawed though it may be, it deserved to pass for the power of the precedent and to make the great majority of Californians full-on law-abiding citizens year round while helping the economy and not transacting in an underground market. Details on specifics of regulation and taxation (e.g. if it was too draconian or too little) could be ironed out later with additional laws and propositions. The precedent would have been in place.

Turns out it had wide support in urban areas. But, in rural areas the propagandists ran No on 19 ads - it's the horrible gateway drug - soon everyone will be on cocaine and heroin - that kind of stuff and those are the votes that added up and made the No position the winner of the day.

Very sad indeed.

 

I also think you made a lot of good points lunaverse.

It is hard to explain for me, but I do want legalization, but I am afraid that a small time grower will no longer be able to make a living, just like with other kinds of farming. I think it is sad that cannabis is one of the few things that a single person can actually grow and actually support themselves by growing it, and that we might lose that. I just don't want to see one more thing be owned by some huge corporation and then see the death of one more small business.

But I can see how someone who just wants to be able to go to the store to buy weed could care less about that. But my hatred of big business is stronger than my desire for legalizations. I love that PhilipMorris can't get their paws on this wonderful plant.

 

Which is why we need to push for our right to grow a plant. Our own plants. Some who cannot afford to or don't have the space can buy it else where. Those who can will grow their own.

 

The fact of the matter is that the government knows that they cannot legalize cannabis and make it a corporate product (meaning no one is allowed to grow their own) because the people will never vote for that bill.

They cannot in good (or bad in this case) conscience legalize cannabis and have people be able to grow their own because big corporations don't want to compete with the small businesses that would be popping up;

"Local Jim's all Hemp products"

"All natural Hemp soap, beauty products, etc."

And on top of that, if there was a flat rate tax of paying a certain amount to be able to grow a certain footage amount, the government would feel ripped off if the person was making good money doing it.

For example: Lets say there's a flat rate tax of $600 a year to grow 25 square feet. Let's say that within that area I grow some really great weed and make good money off it. Another guy grows shitty weed and doesn't make very much money. Who is going to be the problem? The government doesn't care about the guy with shitty weed because they got their money out of him and he didn't make much. But the $600 I spent on the tax was nothing compared to what I made from selling my awesome weed. Being the greedy fucks that they are, they're going to want some more money out of me because I made more, they don't care about the other guy because he didn't do well.

So how would they go about collecting that money from me? How would they know how much money I made? They wouldn't. So essentially everyone who grows would have to pay the same tax, but some would be making good money off their product while others aren't. The government would want more money (more taxes from those who did well) because they want people to pay taxes that are somewhat relative to their income.


So the problem is really that the government doesn't know how exactly to get out of the deal what they feel they "deserve" because cannabis varies so much, it'd be impossible to regulate it's potential value.

So it seems that something has to give. Either people will have to accept that legalization means corporation, or the government is going to have to take it in the chin, which is something they've never settled for.

This isn't an issue of regulation, it's an issue of money.

 

HipChris..>>And for the rest of you, what's the buzz about anyway - with the new legislation signed into law by the out-going Governator, possession of up to an ounce is only a misdemeanor, with no record if you happen to be unfortunate enough to be caught by the cops.

So I think it's time to go back to the drafting board, write up a proposal that doesn't reek of big business or taxation and find a solution that works.

As this IS a forum to discuss the news, what is your opinion on this situation?<<

Hi HipChris...

I was surprised that Prop 19:sunny: didn't pass. The only thing I could figure out was that many people with young kids or kids coming of age got paranoid and decided not to legalize it.

Gov. Arnold last month signed a legistlation to reduce the "crime" of possession from a misdemeanor to an infraction. Meaning, it doesn't go on record.

 

My state of Arizona had prop 203 , medical pot , there still counting every last vote at this time , it is like 49-51 no , but it looks like it will fail also . I tried it years ago and done care for pot , but I voted yes . desert rat

 

I heard the medical marijuana growers were against it and voted against it. A lot of other people particularly young people didn't turn out which is too bad because if you are ever unfortunate to get busted with it while driving but not under the influence you will lose your car and possibly your money as well. This all could have been prevented if you voted for prop. 19.

 

Then everyone who goes to jail or prison can thank those like you for this. Since you are grower how would you like to get busted and lose all your possessions to asset forfeiture. You'll be in jail but you can rest assured Phillip Morris didn't get a hold of this plant.

Jerk.

 

The thing is, is that big business is already selling Cannabis in California. They are called cartels.

 

some day they'll get it lol til then i guess we're all outlaws lol

 

Whats the point? The rules stay enacted while the people go along with them. Laws will not change in the courthouse towers while the people are at home bitching on the internet CRYING so hard to have their opinion heard.

You wanna change something? GO sit in front of your local Public Official BUilding/Coruthouse/CityHall, TODAY and STAY THERE for the next week or so.

Oh wait, I forgot, you all have "Things to do" such important plans you have, hmm? Theres no time to sit and try to change,
"I have to be at my job tomorrow. Those burgers arent gonna hand themselves out the drive thru window..."

Fuckin Scabs

 

And on another note, why is it thousands of people show up for that fucking baseball game, where the CBS cameras parade around showing you morons in pink and blue cheering and waving! Next day you are no where to be seen?? No fuss. No Nothing...


Eat the slop they feed you, just dont get mad when you become fat and bloated, hands tied over a fire..