cannabisnews.com: Proposition 19 Has Too Many Flaws
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Proposition 19 Has Too Many Flaws
Posted by CN Staff on September 28, 2010 at 06:40:04 PT
Editorial Opinion
Source: Los Angeles Daily News
California -- To truly consider the merits of Proposition 19, you must check your morals at the door. Because the heart of the Nov. 2 ballot measure is not about whether marijuana is no worse than alcohol or whether the law should allow for small amounts of personal pot. The real question of this initiative is whether California wants to take on the federal government and allow any and every city in the state to make up its own rules about selling, manufacturing and transporting an illegal substance.
And the Daily News thinks the answer to the question is an emphatic "no." The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 is a poorly crafted initiative that would set the scene for a regulatory nightmare in California. Besides, permitting anyone over 21 to possess, grow or transport up to an ounce of marijuana, it would also allow local governments to regulate and tax production, distribution and sale of marijuana in a way that suits their jurisdiction. This patchwork approach to regulation is the most alarming aspect of the measure. With every city and county in the state coming up with different marijuana laws, the resulting confusion could make the lawless and explosive growth of medical marijuana dispensaries in recent years seem like the good old days. Supporters of Proposition 19 are selling it in financial terms. First, they say it's preposterous to have marijuana offenders take up costly time and room in California courtrooms, jails and prisons when more serious offenders are released early due to lack of space and resources. As well, legalizing pot would take a major source of income out of the hands of drug dealers. Furthermore, they note, the legal sale of marijuana would bring in as much as $1.4 billion a year in tax revenue to local governments struggling with the costs of basic services and bring untold amounts of money to the state from marijuana tourism. But financial considerations are not a good basis for adopting bad law. Notwithstanding its obvious conflicts with federal law, which still considers marijuana an illegal substance, there are a number of other reasons to reject Proposition 19. Critics of the law bring up several worries, including the danger of allowing the widespread use of a mind-altering drug - including on the road and on the job. The act prohibits " consumption by the operator of any vehicle, boat or aircraft while it is being operated, or that impairs the operator." But if four passengers are smoking joints in a car, it's not a stretch to think the second-hand smoke is going to impair the driver's reactions, endangering all of them and their fellow motorists on the road. Proposition 19 should also make employers nervous, as it appears to give marijuana users a clear right to smoke on the job. It maintains "any law prohibiting use of controlled substances in the workplace or by specific persons whose jobs involve public safety," which is good. But it precludes workplace drug testing by saying that employers can address only "consumption that actually impairs job performance by an employee." And what does impairment really mean, anyhow? Proposition 19 isn't really about decriminalizing small amounts of personal marijuana in California, which has essentially been the case for decades. It's about setting the groundwork to change the nation's perception of marijuana and its current drug laws. Opening up the state to this particular can of worms is the wrong way to do that. Vote no on Proposition 19.Source: Los Angeles Daily News (CA)Published: September 28, 2010Copyright: 2010 Los Angeles Newspaper GroupWebsite: http://www.dailynews.comContact: http://www.dailynews.com/writealetterURL: http://dailynews.com/opinions/ci_16189639CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #14 posted by The GCW on September 30, 2010 at 07:52:31 PT
The BIGGEST flaw
For prohibitionists Proposition 19 Has Too Many Flaws; the BIGGEST: it may pass.Poll: Most Californians Want to Legalize Pothttp://www.baycitizen.org/elections-2010/story/poll-most-californians-want-legalize-pot/A new Public Policy Institute of California survey supports what the Field Poll hinted at a few days ago: Most Californians want legal pot.Of the big four ballot propositions included in the PPIC poll, only one — Proposition 19, which would legalize recreational marijuana use — surpassed the 50 percent threshold needed for passage. The initiative received 52 percent support overall, including 65 percent of independents and 63 percent of both Democrats and Latinos. Support among those aged 18-30 was high, at 70 percent, according to the poll.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on September 29, 2010 at 19:39:28 PT
Article From FireDogLake.com
It Would be Hard to Get Higher: Prop 19 Has Unprecedented Awareness Among Young CA VotersSeptember 29, 2010URL: http://drugsense.org/url/NduqLvfi
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on September 29, 2010 at 19:36:40 PT
NYT Blog: Reefer Gladness
September 29, 2010URL: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/29/reefer-gladness/
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Comment #11 posted by b4daylight on September 29, 2010 at 16:13:18 PT:
Please
"The real question of this initiative is whether California wants to take on the federal government "So California should not take on the feds when it comes to clean air, illegal wiretaps, and immigration?
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Comment #10 posted by afterburner on September 29, 2010 at 03:48:42 PT
Slavery Was Once 'The Law'
But we changed that law. We can change unjust laws just because they are not just.Cannabis prohibition is a lame excuse to enslave freedom-loving people to a bloated criminal (in)justice system.Cannabis prohibition has too many flaws. Repeal cannabis prohibition!
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Comment #9 posted by Canis420 on September 28, 2010 at 22:46:19 PT:
Absolutely
The resounding answer to this question is YES!
"The real question of this initiative is whether California wants to take on the federal government and allow any and every city in the state to make up its own rules about selling, manufacturing and transporting an ((author)illegally) illegal substance. If our federal gov't will not cede to the logical, we as states must push the limit and let common sense prevail. Just sayin!
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Comment #7 posted by The GCW on September 28, 2010 at 21:06:52 PT
Kill the vampire
Treat cannabis prohibition like a vampire.-0-Take a moment and consider what you can do to help end the immoral prohibition of cannabis in California. We must work hard -now.
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Comment #6 posted by MikeEEEEE on September 28, 2010 at 20:44:25 PT
take on
The american revolution was based on taking on unjust policy. Once in a while, americans find their roots and take on the BS.What a little worm, a fear spinner too.
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Comment #5 posted by John Tyler on September 28, 2010 at 19:53:39 PT
this is the chance
These guys can spout all of their phony arguments they can think of, but the fact remains that this is a really big chance to make cannabis legal again. If it needs tweaking that can be done later. If it doesn’t square up with other laws, they can be tweaked too. The point is to shout out loud and clear that the people want cannabis to be legal again.
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Comment #4 posted by RevRayGreen on September 28, 2010 at 17:06:14 PT
The RedSweaters are here,the RedSweaters are here
Recap of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners meeting on 9/28/10. Green Central Station was there in full effect.....Deacon brings it directly to the Red Sweater gang from Jones County Iowa.http://www.desmoinesamplified.com/show_date.asp?showid=116&id=758(video on show page)
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on September 28, 2010 at 17:00:01 PT
Off Topic: Neil Young - Hitchhiker
This song shows that one person can do lots of drugs and still be successful. It's worth a listen.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOq93UqN9vU&
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 28, 2010 at 09:54:56 PT
Jimmy Carter
He was hospitalized in Cleveland, Ohio and I've always liked him. He almost decriminalized marijuana until the cocaine issue surfaced. I hope he will be OK but he is 85 now.
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on September 28, 2010 at 08:01:10 PT
"change the nation's perception of marijuana"
Now there is an agenda worth speaking to!This was successfully done 72 years ago. Now it has been an uphill battle trying to put the confusion aright.For about 72 years now we have been told about a poison coming from Mexico that will make you loco and make white women desire relations with "Negros". It will cause a "darky" to step on a white mans shadow without showing the least bit of respect. These same dark people will play satanic music with too many notes to the bar!1933-They said it will make Negros crazy insane and they will go on killing sprees.1941-It will make Negros lazy, lethargic and unwilling to fight as soldiers.In the 1970s they started with the scare tactics: [as if they had any credibility]man Boobsimpotenceburnt brain cellslazyviolentreduced immune systemcancerand a purple gherkin will grow out of your ear!Why would we need to change the nation's perception of marijuana? [cannabis]
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