cannabisnews.com: CA MJ Ban Gets Legislative Review After 96 Years
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CA MJ Ban Gets Legislative Review After 96 Years
Posted by CN Staff on October 28, 2009 at 05:33:01 PT
By Ryan Flinn and Michael Marois
Source: Bloomberg.com
C.A. -- California’s Assembly will consider lifting its 96-year-old ban on marijuana, decriminalizing the drug and taxing it like alcohol, as the state seeks ways out of its worst financial crisis since World War II. The Assembly’s Public Safety Committee will discuss the social, fiscal and legal implications of legalizing and regulating marijuana in Sacramento today, said Quintin Mecke, a spokesman for Assemblyman Tom Ammiano.
It would be the first time the issue has been considered by the Legislature since the ban on marijuana use went into effect in 1913, according to a statement from the San Francisco Democrat. “It is time to take our heads out of the sand and start to regulate this $14 billion industry,” Ammiano said in the statement. “By doing so, we can enact smart public policy that will bring much-needed revenue into the state and improve public safety by utilizing our limited law enforcement resources more wisely. The move toward regulation is simply common sense.” Ammiano introduced Assembly Bill 390 in February. If passed, it would add $1.34 billion to California’s annual revenue based on sales tax and a $50-an-ounce excise levy, according to the state’s tax administrator, the Board of Equalization. The bill will have its first policy hearing in January, Mecke said. The $14 billion figure cited by Ammiano is his estimated value of both illegal and medical marijuana, he said. Budget Deficit Since February, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers have cut $32 billion from spending, raised taxes by $12.5 billion and covered $6 billion more with accounting maneuvers to close a budget deficit that threatened the largest U.S. state with insolvency. State officials predict a total of $38 billion in deficits in the next three fiscal years. A Field Poll conducted in April showed that 56 percent of registered voters in California supported legalizing and taxing marijuana. Voter initiatives are under way to have legalization measures on next year’s election ballot. Schwarzenegger is personally opposed to legalizing marijuana, said Aaron McLear, a spokesman, though he’s not against today’s hearings. “If it’s something that people think there should be a robust discussion about, then it’s something we should do,” McLear said yesterday to reporters in Sacramento. Paul Chabot, founder of the Coalition for a Drug Free California, said the proposal “just sends the wrong message.” ‘Enough Problems’ “We have enough problems with alcohol and prescription drug abuse throughout California and the nation,” Chabot said in an interview yesterday. “The last thing we need to do is legitimize one more thing which is already responsible for sending more users to drug rehab than any other drug combined.” Chabot, 35, who is running for the state Assembly, said the issue is a personal one for him, as he entered rehab for marijuana use at the age of 12. He said the potential revenue from taxing marijuana would be offset by increased health and law enforcement costs to communities. The bill would also extend taxation to medical marijuana. California is one of 14 states allowing some marijuana use for health reasons, according to a U.S. Justice Department statement, and in July, Oakland voters approved a measure making their city the first in the U.S. to tax it. On Oct. 19, President Barack Obama’s Justice Department told federal prosecutors not to seek criminal charges against those who use or supply the drug for medical purposes in accordance with state laws, reversing the previous Bush administration approach. Focus for Feds The federal guidelines don’t legalize marijuana. The Justice Department will focus its resources on “serious drug traffickers while taking into account state and local laws,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. The Bush administration had said it would pursue charges in medical marijuana cases, even in those states. Marijuana, produced from the cannabis plant, can be smoked or ingested. Its recreational use is illegal in the U.S. Advocates of medical use say marijuana can ease cancer patients’ nausea from chemotherapy, help treat glaucoma, stimulate AIDS patients’ appetites and ease pain for multiple sclerosis sufferers. Source: Bloomberg.com (USA)Author: Ryan Flinn and Michael MaroisPublished: October 28, 2009Copyright: 2009 Bloomberg L.P.Contact: mmarois bloomberg.net Website: http://www.bloomberg.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/K53Y5jl4CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #23 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on October 28, 2009 at 16:43:40 PT
35 - 12 = 23
2009 - 23 = 1986In 1986, there were no state medical marijuana programs, we were at the height of the Reagan "just say no" crack down on pot, and Ed Meese bragged that price of marijuana had been driven up.Yet, a 12 year old could still get enough marijuana for it to become a problem in his life.If prohibiting cannabis from everyone was supposed to most assuredly keep it away from kids, then most assuredly the prohibition of cannabis has been a colossal failure.In fact, it has had the opposite effect from that which it was presumably intended.
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Comment #22 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on October 28, 2009 at 16:23:42 PT
So, Paul, how did you pay for all that pot?
"Chabot, 35, who is running for the state Assembly, said the issue is a personal one for him, as he entered rehab for marijuana use at the age of 12."We know you couldn't have sustained your "habit" on a 12 year old's allowance.So, you were either stealing money, prostituting yourself, or selling drugs to other kids.I'm sure the voters in your district would like to know.
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Comment #21 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on October 28, 2009 at 16:15:06 PT
Under Prohibition a 12 year old can get cannabis!
Not just a few joints, but enough to become psychologically dependent!What kind of message does THAT send?!
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Comment #20 posted by Vincent on October 28, 2009 at 16:12:41 PT:
Sustaining veto
So, the N.H. Senate failed to override the governor's (lower-case 'g' on purpose) veto. I agree, that is a bloody shame.
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Comment #19 posted by Zandor on October 28, 2009 at 15:34:24 PT
PAUL CHABOT IS A IDIOT& LIAR!!
“We have enough problems with alcohol and prescription drug abuse throughout California and the nation,” Chabot said in an interview yesterday. “The last thing we need to do is legitimize one more thing which is already responsible for sending more users to drug rehab than any other drug combined.” PAUL CHABOT IS A MORON, IDIOT AND FLAT OUR LIAR WHO MUST BE STOPPED AND CHALLENGED EVERY TIME HE OPENS HIS MOUTH!!!HE SHOWS UP WITH NO PROOF, NO EVIDENCE, NO FACTS BUT STILL GETS HIS LIES INTO THE ARGUMENT...NOBODY IN THE MEDIA IS CHALLENGING THIS IDIOT TO PROVE HIS FACTS. NOT ONCE HAS HE EVER PROVEN ANY NUMBERS HE HAS EVER QUOTED!!!HE IS JUST ANOTHER CHICKEN LITTLE REPUBLICAN WHO THINKS GOD HAS SENT HIM ON A MISSION!
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Comment #18 posted by EAH on October 28, 2009 at 11:51:34 PT:
Fool
Chabot is an idiot and a fool. His view is si cramped and distorted he is unable to see the bigger picture. I don't want blind zealots anywhere near the legislature.
I hope he does not win in his district.Why would ending cannabis prohibition bring about increased health and law enforcement costs?! That's simply a made up paranoid fantasy. People like him just don't get it that ending prohibition would make it easier to keep 12 year olds from getting it. The black market doesn't check IDs. Why the media quotes morons like him is a mystery to me.
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Comment #17 posted by Hope on October 28, 2009 at 11:48:43 PT
NH Senate
That makes me so sad. I really wanted that veto overridden.
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on October 28, 2009 at 11:38:53 PT
Comment 12
Oh no.I'm so sorry.Time to dis-elect some senators there.
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on October 28, 2009 at 11:37:20 PT
Hope
Comment 12 shows it lost though. I'd like to know who voted for what.
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on October 28, 2009 at 11:37:13 PT
Comment 12
What?That sounds bad.:0(
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on October 28, 2009 at 11:35:46 PT
Comment 7
That's good news!
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on October 28, 2009 at 09:49:12 PT
N.H. Senate Sustains Medical Marijuana Veto
The Associated PressOctober 28, 2009CONCORD, N.H. - The Senate has voted to sustain Gov. John Lynch's veto of a bill that would have made New Hampshire the 14th state to legalize marijuana use by severely ill people.Earlier Wednesday, the House voted 240-115 to override the veto, but the Senate's 14-10 vote fell short of the two-thirds needed for override.The bill would have established three nonprofit "compassion centers" to dispense 2 ounces of marijuana every 10 days to severely ill patients whose doctors approve the drug's use. The state would have licensed the centers and issued identification cards to their staff, approved patients and their caregivers.In his veto message last spring, Lynch cited concerns over distribution and cultivation.Copyright 2009 The Associated PressURL: http://www.reformer.com/latestnews/ci_13658875
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 28, 2009 at 09:29:29 PT
Sam
Thank you. That was my point. There is top quality cannabis being grown everywhere and in every state so the price would drop for sure.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on October 28, 2009 at 09:25:39 PT
josephlacerenza
That is good news.http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread25112.shtml
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Comment #9 posted by josephlacerenza on October 28, 2009 at 09:14:28 PT
O.T. Hemp in Montana
I found this yesterday
First Montana hemp-growing license issued to Bozeman woman
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Comment #8 posted by Sam Adams on October 28, 2009 at 08:44:51 PT
Failure
Ah yes, Paul Chabot, who's family failed in the job of raising him, wants to punish YOUR family for HIS "sins". FOM I thought the exact same thing, when Prohibition is truly over you have to think the price for California outdoor will be less than $50 per ounce, maybe even $20 per ounce. The $50 tax will be exhorbitant.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 28, 2009 at 08:43:11 PT
NH's House Overrides Medical Marijuana Veto
Associated Press October 28, 2009 CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The House has voted to override Gov. John Lynch's veto of a bill that would make New Hampshire the 14th state to legalize marijuana use by severely ill people.Wednesday's 240-115 vote sends the bill to the Senate where its fate is less certain.If Senate overrides the veto, the bill would establish three nonprofit "compassion centers" to dispense 2 ounces of marijuana every 10 days to severely ill patients whose doctors approve the drug's use. The state would license the centers and issue identification cards to their staff, approved patients and their caregivers.In his veto message last spring, Lynch cited concerns over distribution and cultivation.Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=11399207
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 28, 2009 at 08:38:30 PT
duzt
If cannabis is totally legal in the USA the prices will drop is what I mean. As long as any aspect of cannabis is illegal the prices will stay high. There will always be a black market that way.
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Comment #5 posted by HempWorld on October 28, 2009 at 08:20:59 PT
"Schwarzenegger is personally opposed to legalizin
g marijuana, though he’s not against today’s hearings."Oh Ahnold, oh wise one, you are our leader and god, I guess you won't let us have it, once again. We must consider ourselves so fortunate that you will allow us hearings on the matter. Oh wise one!I was lifting weights this morning because I want to be as strong and wise and you! Oh wise one! Please all follow our leader and don't question him, that is so unpatriotic!
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Comment #4 posted by dongenero on October 28, 2009 at 07:49:21 PT
Paul Chabot
The reformed substance abusers are the worst when it comes to desire to dictate everyone else's activities.God help us if we all have our lives run by ex-alcoholics, ex-substance abusers, ex-sex addicts, or any other such "corrected" individual. Not everyone has their problems, nor does everyone need to live their lives in the restricted manner these people must lead theirs.And, if I hear the BS term "send the wrong message" again, I'm going to have to throw out an equally meaningless response and say, "whatever".
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Comment #3 posted by duzt on October 28, 2009 at 07:39:33 PT
prices
Fom, the price won't change much unless it is legal all over the world. It costs more to buy in Amsterdam than in California right now. Last time I was there I paid $20 euro a gram for the best quality and most are at least $10-15 per gram. Unless it is legal everywhere, I doubt you will ever see retail prices under $200-300 for good quality.
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Comment #2 posted by vincent on October 28, 2009 at 07:03:02 PT:
Who is this Paul Chabot?
Who is Paul Chabot, the founder of Coalition for a Drug-Free California, and which mental hospital did he escape from? Oh, that's right...he's some weak-fish that went to rehab for Marijuana (one of God's greatest gifts) at the "ripe" age of...12! Rehab for Marijuana? Yuk Yuk Yuk. I never heard of such a thing. (unless it's court-ordered, of course)You see, this is something that I can't stand about prohibitionists--since they can't handle life's challenges, they believe that no one can! He said, "Marijuana sends more people to rehab than all other drugs combined". Where does he get that statistic? From "Live Prayer with Bill Keller"?
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 28, 2009 at 05:41:43 PT
Just a Comment
I know I live in a part of the USA that doesn't make a lot of money but a tax of $50 is what I thought would be the price for most middle of the road type cannabis when it is finally legal. That would make an average cost for an ounce $100. Why is such a push to try to dazzle politicians with big tax revenues good for anyone? I can accept a basic state sales tax amount. How will this high tax eliminate a black market?
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