cannabisnews.com: Committee Approves Calif. Pot Legalization Bill
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Committee Approves Calif. Pot Legalization Bill
Posted by CN Staff on January 12, 2010 at 14:29:10 PT
By Marcus Wohlsen, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press
Sacramento, Calif. -- Its first victory could also be the last gasp for a California bill to tax and regulate marijuana in the same way alcohol is controlled. The state Assembly's public safety committee voted for the bill, 4-to-3, Tuesday.But the health committee also must approve the measure by Friday before the full Assembly can consider it, an unlikely scenario. The health committee is not considering the bill during its meeting Tuesday. And the bill's backers would have to get a special waiver to reconvene the health committee later this week.
If the bill does die, a spokesman for the bill's author, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, said the San Francisco Democrat would hold off on reintroducing legislation until after the November election, which could feature a marijuana legalization ballot proposition.Though the successful committee vote could end up being purely symbolic, pot advocates hailed it as an important step forward."We're thrilled," said Stephen Gutwillig of the Drug Policy Alliance, a pro-legalization group. "This to me, this is the formal beginning of the end of marijuana prohibition in the United States."The legislation would allow adults 21 and older to legally possess, grow and sell marijuana. The state would charge a $50-per-ounce fee and a 9 percent tax on retail sales.State tax collectors have estimated the bill could bring in nearly $1.4 billion in revenue.Under the bill, much of that money would go to fund drug abuse education and prevention programs. Republican Assemblyman Danny Gilmore ridiculed that idea during the hearing at the state Capitol."We're going to legalize marijuana, we're going to tax it, and then we're going to educate our kids about the harms of drugs?" said Gilmore, a 31-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol. "You've got to be kidding me."If the legislation fails to arrive on the Assembly floor this year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will likely not be forced to take a stand on marijuana legalization before he is termed out of office early next year.At an appearance in Mountain View on Tuesday, he reiterated his support for debate on the issue, though he believes in the current law that makes the sale of marijuana illegal except for medical purposes.The opinions of the state's politicians could be rendered moot in November, however, if voters approve a proposed ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana under limited circumstances.Oakland medical marijuana entrepreneur Richard Lee, the initiative's main backer, has said supporters have obtained far more than the necessary 434,000 signatures needed to qualify for the ballot.The Tax and Regulate Cannabis 2010 campaign is expected to submit those signatures for approval later this month.Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Marcus Wohlsen, Associated Press Writer Published: January 12, 2010Copyright: 2010 The Associated PressURL: http://drugsense.org/url/Qx2GYU4NCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #10 posted by runruff on January 12, 2010 at 23:35:54 PT
Boo hooing cops.
Many of us here remember the curt, sarcastic retort we used to get from the "happy to be a cop" crowd whenever someone used to complain about the cannabis prohibition laws.remember?- " If you don't like the law, change it!"I don't here that jibe much anymore, heh, heh.
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Comment #9 posted by runruff on January 12, 2010 at 23:28:53 PT
Warms the cockles of my li'l pumper!
"Registered opponents of the bill included: the California Fraternal Order of Police, the California Narcotics Officers Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the California Peace Officers’ Association, and the California District Attorneys Association."I love the whining. What would a 100 year old victory be without it!Will anybody who's wages or careers affected by this legislation please give us a low, long, wailing cow's moan.I wanna hear gut wrenching agony like a dieing calf in a hail storm who lost it's mother!I want to see downsized transportation and homes that are actually purchased with your wages and your wages only. I foresee even wages dropping in law enforcement, eventually there will be more green jobs and crime will lower and like in the 50's we may even return to peaceable, friendly cops who seem to want to do their civil duty instead of tracking down some two bit street dealer in order to shake him down for cash and drugs. I have lived long enough to have seen the change of priorities in street policy.jes' sayin'
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Comment #8 posted by EAH on January 12, 2010 at 23:00:51 PT:
Uh-oh...
"The opinions of the state's politicians could be rendered moot in November, however, if voters approve a proposed ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana under limited circumstances."Ammiano's bill is WAY better than the initiative. This could be a real example of be careful what you wish for. I want to see one of them happen for sure but if Ammiano's bill were to pass and but then be superceded by the proposition that would be a leap forward then a step backward. Not likely but we do have a possible trainwreck (no pun intended to those who know) here.
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Comment #7 posted by EAH on January 12, 2010 at 22:46:39 PT:
Pathetic
"At an appearance in Mountain View on Tuesday, he reiterated his support for debate on the issue, though he believes in the current law that makes the sale of marijuana illegal except for medical purposes."God! What a weak hypocrite. He's termed out. He can't run for president and based on his record as Governor, his career in politics is done. Yet he still can't back an obvious needed reform.
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Comment #6 posted by Sam Adams on January 12, 2010 at 22:07:37 PT
hmmmmm
50 bucks per ounce tax? that's about the same as taxing a box of cigs $50. It will preserve the black market, especially for cheap weed. You have to think cheap mass-produced outdoor will be under $25 per ounce.
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Comment #5 posted by Hope on January 12, 2010 at 21:42:05 PT
Comment 2 Paul Armentano!
Thank you!
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Comment #4 posted by Hope on January 12, 2010 at 20:35:17 PT
"an unlikely scenario"
Like today?
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on January 12, 2010 at 20:22:26 PT
I can't believe it.
I was scared to look. I just now could check the computer.It passed this hurdle. This is good, isn't it? This is really good.
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Comment #2 posted by paul Armentano on January 12, 2010 at 19:33:18 PT
Lawmakers Cast First Vote In Nearly 100 Years...
California: Lawmakers Cast First Vote In Nearly 100 Years To Repeal Marijuana ProhibitionTue, 12 Jan 2010 23:30:22 By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
Share This Article Lawmakers on the California Assembly, Committee on Public Safety, voted 4 to 3 today in favor of Assembly Bill 390: The Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act — which seeks to legalize the production, distribution, and personal use of marijuana for adults age 21 and older. The vote is first time since 1913, when California became one of the first states in the nation to criminalize the use and possession of marijuana, that lawmakers have called for the repeal of cannabis prohibition.“Today’s vote marks the first time in nearly a century that California lawmakers have reassessed this failed criminal policy,” said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano. “Any risks presented by the use of marijuana by adults falls within the ambit of choice we should permit individuals in a free society. It’s time replace the failings of marijuana prohibition with a policy of legalization, regulation and education. Today’s vote is a significant, albeit first step in this direction.”Further Committee votes on AB 390 are unlikely to take place this session because of legislative calendar restraints. However, the bill’s sponsor, San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, said that he would likely reintroduce a similar version of the bill later this month.Registered supporters for the measure included: the AFL-CIO, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the California Public Defenders Association, among others.Registered opponents of the bill included: the California Fraternal Order of Police, the California Narcotics Officers Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the California Peace Officers’ Association, and the California District Attorneys Association.Voting ‘yes’ on the bill were Ammiano, Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael and Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. Voting no were Assemblyman Warren Furutani, D-Gardena (Los Angeles County), Assemblyman Danny Gilmore, R-Hanford (Kings County) and Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills (San Bernardino County).Archived footage of today’s historic vote is available on the California Channel.
http://www.norml.org
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Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on January 12, 2010 at 15:30:33 PT
Associated Press and Reuters
These fascist organizations just hate to report on this, you can sense it in the article.Our time has come and their has ended!
Legalize It!
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