like all the legalization balot measures of the past few years such as in Nevada or Alaska, prop 19 is absurdly written and will not and should not pass. It is not specific enough to be taken seriously by any legislature or government, and will not pass. BUT at the least it has accelerated the mainstream debate about cannabis, and socially upwards of half of californians including several prominent politicians and academics and newspaper editors and political commentators have all been rather receptive and positive to this debate. if we can't have legalization, at the least we can end the social stigmatization that is much worse than the existing laws in california..
and the proof? While Gov Arnold mashed down Prop 19, he did just sign an hour ago a new law which further decriminalizes possession of under an ounce from a technical misdemeonor to a full infraction like a parking ticket.. it has functioned as one for years, but you had to have a M criminal record for two years as a punishment which fucked up employment. Now you don't even have to report your cannabis arrests because they are like parking tickets and NEVER go on your record, statewide.
The true victories for cannabis users and consumers is in the productive decriminalization movement..
People are far more receptive to such..
Schwarzenegger signs marijuana decriminalization bill
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By Peter Hecht | Sacramento Bee
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that will reduce the crime of possession of an ounce of marijuana from a misdemeanor to an infraction, handing a victory to marijuana advocates one month before November's state vote to legalize pot for recreational use.
The governor's signature of Senate Bill 1449 by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, will not reduce actual penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Under California law, misdemeanor possession of less than an ounce was already punishable as infraction - with offenders facing fines of $100.
Marijuana advocates say the governor's decision to sign the bill will significantly reduce the number of cases clogging California courts by removing the misdemeanor tag.
The law will take effect Jan. 1, meaning it may be superseded - at least for Californians over 21 - by the November legalization measure.
Schwarzenegger said he signed Leno's bill because "possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is infraction in everything but name."
Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/10/0...#ixzz119ezpXhR