LAist: California to Legalize Weed for Everyone

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Cali smoke

Cali smoke

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California to Legalize Weed for Everyone

June 30, 2008
Los Angeles, California

California to Legalize Weed for Everyone

There is an initiative in the works that could end up on the November ballot that allows for marijuana to be sold to anyone, and anywhere that already sells alcohol. Its being called The Inalienable Rights Enforcement Initiative. From the full text of the measure:

This initiative will amend the Constitution of California to defend and safeguard the inalienable rights of the People against infringement by governments and corporations, providing for the lawful growth, sale, and possession of marijuana. Marijuana will be taxed through a system of stamps and licenses--a $5 stamp will be required for the sale of an eighth ounce of marijuana and a $50 annual license will be required for the growth of one marijuana plant. To protect participants and encourage participation in the system, such licenses and stamps will be available anonymously in stores where marijuana is sold.

So instead of getting some quack doctor to give you a prescription for $100 because of your supposed "anxiety" or alleged "insomnia", you will just pay an extra tax each time you buy yourself another 8th.

Aside from allowing all willing adults to be able to buy weed easily, this initiative will start to generate revenue for California, and stimulate our struggling economy. More weed stores means more jobs for Californians, more taxes to be collected, and more people enjoying better weed. And finally marijuana will be put into the same file as Alcohol and Cigarettes where it belongs, instead of it being equated with crack-cocaine and heroine.

The initiative goes on to say why they believe this to be a necessary measure:

We also hold these truths to be self-evident-That, as an intoxicant, marijuana is far less harmful to the health and safety of the People than alcohol--That, as a smoking substance, marijuana is far less addictive or harmful to the health of the People than tobacco--That, even though alcohol is harmful to the health and safety of the People, the prohibition of alcohol from 1920 to 1933 only increased the harms associated with alcohol use: criminals seized control of the alcohol market, crime and violence increased greatly, and poverty, unemployment, and corruption flourished, while otherwise lawful alcohol drinkers were treated as "criminals" subject to detention, arrest, and incarceration, even though they had not harmed the rights of anyone--That, as with alcohol prohibition, the prohibition of marijuana has only increased the harms associated with the use of marijuana: criminals control a multi-billion dollar market, crime and violence have increased greatly, and poverty, unemployment, and corruption flourish, while otherwise law-abiding marijuana smokers are treated as "criminals" subject to detention, arrest, and incarceration, even though they have not harmed the rights of anyone-That the history of marijuana prohibition is a history of repeated injuries and infringements upon the inalienable rights, powers, and best interests of the People.

Fuck Yes! Preach on, brothers! They go on to point out that alcohol, tobacco, and big-pharma lobbyists have the politicians that are supposed to represent the People in their back-pockets and serving the interests of the alcohol, tobacco, and big-pharma industries.

Despite the harms of marijuana prohibition, politicians persist in imposing and upholding marijuana prohibition, because these politicians are not working for the People--they are working for the corporate executives who financed their campaigns, such as corporate executives in the alcohol industry who want to protect their monopoly on intoxication, corporate executives in the tobacco industry who want to protect their monopoly on smoking, corporate executives in the pharmaceutical industry who want to protect their monopoly on expensive medicines, and corporate executives in the many industries threatened by competition with hemp. These corporate executives pull the strings of the government to perpetuate marijuana prohibition despite its harms, because they do not care about the inalienable rights and best interests of the People--they care about taking as much money from the People as possible. These corporate executives also use their control of the mainstream media to make it seem like marijuana prohibition is a failed attempt to serve the interests of the People, censoring the idea that marijuana prohibition is a successful attempt to serve corporate interests at the expense of the People. For these corporate interests, politicians sacrifice the inalienable rights and best interests of the People. This corruption and corporate influence is worse at the national level, where the People can least afford political influence and the media is most effective at manipulating public debate. Because of this corruption, it is futile for the People to turn to the federal government for protection--because the federal government is the source of the harm. The repeated attempts by the People to reduce the harms of marijuana prohibition have been answered only by repeated injury. The harm from marijuana prohibition is ongoing and the need for relief is urgent. Such is the suffering of the People, and such is the necessity that constrains us to alter our former systems of government. A government with a character marked by every act that defines a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Therefore, appealing to humankind for the rightness of our intentions

They need 694,354 signatures by September, 5, 2008. I think it's totally do-able. Its been over a decade since Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, was passed with over 5 million votes in favor.

So 12 years later... are we more or less tolerant of recreational use of marijuana? For now, we'll have to wait and see.

Source: http://laist.com/2008/06/30/california_to_legalize_weed_for_eve_1.php
 
BC_Bud

BC_Bud

Premium Member
Supporter
291
18
Really good news for you Cali folks! One more step towards freedom.
 
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monkey5

Premium Member
Supporter
614
28
wow !!! i so want to be back in cali !!!! we will see !!! or spain !!! ha !!! ha !!! monkey5
 
Devilsharvest

Devilsharvest

354
18
great news. Seem s like the situation is getin better in cali and worse in the dam..
Im sorry Rottendawg I have to say this: When Americans complain about gas prices....Well, all I can think of is liters vs gallons, and dollar vs euro, and how was it that the price started to increase again? Theres a whole world out there with simular problems that were indirectly caused and for the most part initiated by usa, yet americans are not paying half as much taxes and gas prices are 4 times as high in EU!! But its allways americans brining it up!! Maybe its time to start being "unpatriotic" and critisize the government and the "high standard of living", because thats were the foundation of the problems are

Please dont take this personal RD I judt had a cup of coffee and no joint yet:p
And I dont wish to start a whole political thread either:) So my apologies to anyone offended (just dont complain about gas prices anymore plz lol)
 
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ProGroWannabe

1,348
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This is a good thing in my book. At least it shows progress in the right direction. Lets get it legalized, THEN work on these "prices".
 
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ProGroWannabe

1,348
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RD....I DO understand your point. I wouldn't like those prices either, but do you really think it would be better to shoot it down, than to pass it and make changes after-the-fact? I just think if it gets shot down now, it may hurt the movement as a whole. Lets get a couple of states on the books with legalization to get the good ball rolling, then work out the kinks, I say...? Juss my opinion...I'm not trying to stir shit, here.
 
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Dr. Katz

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I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think that this initiative would change anything about medical cannabis in CA. A medical exemption should still be valid for the people that have them, but everyone else would have the option to grow legally as well. If there was no medical cannabis, wouldn't you pay $500 per year to always be able to have 10 plants, or $1000 per year to always have 20 plants? I would. I'm very greatful for prop 215, but that was a first step in the door, and this initiative seems to be kicking the door wide open. As long as there is no change to prop 215, I say hell yeah on this new one.
 
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Dr. Katz

6
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I think you missed my point bro, and I noticed you didn't quote the first part of that sentence where I said "if there was no medical cannabis. . .", like the situation is in many other states. No one is saying that this is the way it should be in a perfect world, but it's a big step in the right direction. I agree that it is insane to attach some arbitrary money figure to a plant, but guess what's about ten thousand times more insane? GOING TO JAIL OR PRISON for a plant. Anything that gets rid of that ridiculous system is a good thing, even if it's not yet perfect. Do you think that someone in Mississippi or South Carolina would rather spend a few hundred bucks a year on canna-taxes, or live in constant fear of going to prison for YEARS for getting caught with a small closet grow? Obviously, it would be better if they didn't have to worry about either, but that's not realistic yet. We in Cali don't have as much to lose because the laws aren't as fucked up, but they're still fucked up, and we're not going to get to your utopia all at once without some steps like these on the way. Peace.
 
ape1337

ape1337

CRAZY about OG kush
Supporter
145
93
sounds good to me. I'd be more than happy to pay a few hundred bucks a year rather than losing my career and gettin locked up. Some of the current laws in the US are straight up nazi, it's insane.
 
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trichburner

62
8
I need to move to Cali.....

$50 a plant is steep and needs to be reconsidered otherwise it won't do a damn thing to curb the illicit trade . Divide the growing taxes into seperate categories like one tax bracket for personal growers , one for medical growers , and one for breeders/commercial growers . A yearly fee with restrictions on the number of plants pertaining to what tax bracket the growers are in would be a much smarter move on the governments part . The proposed tax on the sales is reasonable enough just as long as the commercial growers can afford the taxes for growing in the first place . I can also imagine the logistical nightmare this will bring to those whose job it is to enforce the state tax laws . But nonetheless , I'm sure things will work out in time . Coming from the biblebelt , I hope this goes through for the folks out west . Keep fighting the good fight :cool:
 
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ograskal

Guest
50 bucks a year per plant is too much in my opinion.....Is that counting Seedlings and clones???or Mature flowering plants only?...~ogr
 
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herby

Guest
I'll take a tax over prison anyday. In fact in about 1/2 the states theres already a pot tax anyway but of course noone pays it. Is the tax legal? Is it right? Lets debate that after we get rid of jail time. One step at a time.
 
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ograskal

Guest
I'll take a tax over prison anyday. In fact in about 1/2 the states theres already a pot tax anyway but of course noone pays it. Is the tax legal? Is it right? Lets debate that after we get rid of jail time. One step at a time.

i would also take a tax over prison hands down.....For somebody growing Illegally without a Med Scripts this could be a good thing.....I'm protected by Med laws so i hope this law doesnt affect me...And I just threw a bunch of seedlings down and I could get charged 50 bucks a plant for all Males....LOL..that would suck Balls...~ogr
 
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cain23456

49
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50 a plant is crazy. everything that sounds good isnt. i think it could bring forward for worst problems to be honest. i was goona move out here in oct but think imma wait. i see bad things happening. if that passes it's really gonna be a gold rush. you got good people that wanna grow their own as they should be allowed to but with the good comes the bad. let people grow but not to be sold in stores.

Reasons it won't pass. ( I could be wrong ) so no 1 rip me a new 1...lol
1)i can see stores getting robbed on the daily. i know in florida that will last 2 days before they change their minds.
2) i don't see the feds letting that happen. they tripping about illegals now., if that passes their will be no boarder.
3) anytime you allow the government to get in your business, that's bad news.
4)Who's gonna regulate how it's grow and the contents? which if sold in stores to everyone gonna have to be. you know if someone wants to sue. cali is the sue capital.
 
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herby

Guest
i would also take a tax over prison hands down.....For somebody growing Illegally without a Med Scripts this could be a good thing.....I'm protected by Med laws so i hope this law doesnt affect me...And I just threw a bunch of seedlings down and I could get charged 50 bucks a plant for all Males....LOL..that would suck Balls...~ogr

I think it would have to be on an honor system. I cant see anyone being given permission to enter your dwelling to check your plant count.
Then again maybe it will be the next big sector in government hiring. marijuana plant checker. LOL.
 
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herby

Guest
50 a plant is crazy. everything that sounds good isnt. i think it could bring forward for worst problems to be honest. i was goona move out here in oct but think imma wait. i see bad things happening. if that passes it's really gonna be a gold rush. you got good people that wanna grow their own as they should be allowed to but with the good comes the bad. let people grow but not to be sold in stores.

Reasons it won't pass. ( I could be wrong ) so no 1 rip me a new 1...lol
1)i can see stores getting robbed on the daily. i know in florida that will last 2 days before they change their minds.
2) i don't see the feds letting that happen. they tripping about illegals now., if that passes their will be no boarder.
3) anytime you allow the government to get in your business, that's bad news.
4)Who's gonna regulate how it's grow and the contents? which if sold in stores to everyone gonna have to be. you know if someone wants to sue. cali is the sue capital.

I also see a lot of problems if this passes. IMO stoners are the biggest problem the movement has LOL. There are really some stupid people out there and they will continue to be stupid. The big problem is they will do something stupid and ruin the entire movement for everyone.
If this does get passed I hope there is also a movement for personal responsibility. Let these people know that they could ruin it for everything by doing stupid stuff. You can bet there is going to be a high standard set and a lot of people across the country watching what happens with this if it does pass.
 
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trichburner

62
8
50 a plant is crazy. everything that sounds good isnt. i think it could bring forward for worst problems to be honest. i was goona move out here in oct but think imma wait. i see bad things happening. if that passes it's really gonna be a gold rush. you got good people that wanna grow their own as they should be allowed to but with the good comes the bad. let people grow but not to be sold in stores.

Reasons it won't pass. ( I could be wrong ) so no 1 rip me a new 1...lol
1)i can see stores getting robbed on the daily. i know in florida that will last 2 days before they change their minds.
2) i don't see the feds letting that happen. they tripping about illegals now., if that passes their will be no boarder.
3) anytime you allow the government to get in your business, that's bad news.
4)Who's gonna regulate how it's grow and the contents? which if sold in stores to everyone gonna have to be. you know if someone wants to sue. cali is the sue capital.

:mad:I won't go to hard on you:mad::happy:

Sell it in stores , just regulate it like Alcohol and Tobacco and set rules similar to liquor stores (i.e. age limits) . That aspect shouldn't be any problem for the state or feds .

Reducing the proposed taxes , or just going with an annual flat tax like I hinted at earlier on cultivation would greatly reduce the crime factor as within a few months the supply available and the associated drop in value with an over-abundance in supply would not make robbery worth the effort . The only wrench in the gears to that would be if they were taking the stolen herb to the more fascist states in the union to sell(*cough* Florida , Oklahoma , Alabama , the Dakotas , Arkansas , Missouri , Indiana *cough* / get with the times assholes !!! ) . There is no way the state or feds will allow legalization to happen without taxation . Hopefully , if the state and feds are smart , they won't bother with legislation on THC content . If they do , then we just need to make sure on the first day of hearings that the legislators are handed a copy of the MSDS (material safety data sheet) to the drug Marinol . It says in plain English - 100% THC with no Toxicity . Any argument for restrictions based on THC content will be blown right out the window with that handy piece of paper .

Illegals are already up growing in California anyway (hell there over here on this side of the Mississppi doing the same ) . Marijuana is more profitable now than it would be if it were legal . Legalization would at least give these gangs a chance to go legit if they are actually intelligent enough to realize it . Most likely they aren't and will just move on to selling hard drugs . Doesn't bother me as that way they will become much easier targets for LEO since LEO would no longer have to bother themselves with us . WIN/WIN for two out of three sides is more than acceptable .

Two things that I'm sure hasn't yet been thought out is what impact will this have on the power grid and building codes . Are they up to par to handle the eventual increased electrical loads ?
 
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cain23456

49
0
problem is and you know just like i do that it will be sold to other states. i bet my life on that. what happens after that the feds get involved and not respect the state law like it doesn't now. maybe if all states passed the bill, but it would allow draw more crime to other states.
im not worried about the illiegals, im just saying why it won't happen. the government is trying to get rid of illegals now and we need them. you think their gonna give them another reason to come here. the federal government ain't about to let that happen.

it would be nice but hell i would be nice to fuck girls without condoms, but if you do you asking for trouble. everything that look good ain't always good for you.
with that being said, lets get high!!!!!
 
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