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Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco.
For the first time ever in a statewide Field Poll, a majority of state voters expressed support for legalizing and taxing marijuana. A poll released last week showed 56 percent of Californians support legalization.
Earlier this year, Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced legislation that would tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. The Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education act (AB 390) would create a regulatory structure similar to that used for beer, wine and liquor, permitting taxed sales to adults while barring sales to or possession by those under 21.
“With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move toward regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense. This legislation would generate up to $1.3 billion in much needed revenue for the state, restrict access to only those over 21, end the environmental damage to our public lands from illicit crops, and improve public safety by redirecting law enforcement efforts to more serious crimes, Ammiano said. "California has the opportunity to be the first state in the nation to enact a smart, responsible public policy for the control and regulation of marijuana.”
The poll bolstered the call for legalized marijuana that has stirred since Ammiano introduced his legislation and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the government would no longer raid and prosecute legal marijuana medical dispensaries.
“One of the most respected research firms in the country has confirmed other recent polls and our sense of the groundswell that followed the introduction of AB 390 by Assemblymember Ammiano,” said Stephen Gutwillig, California State Director of the Drug Policy Alliance. “Californians are ready to end decades of failed and wasteful marijuana prohibition. Just as we led the nation in the compassionate adoption of medical marijuana, this state will set the standard for common-sense regulation, generating substantial new revenue for California and enhancing public safety.”
Though Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he would not sign legislation legalizing marijuana, the state's ongoing billion-dollar fiscal crisis is making the idea of taxing legal marijuana to raise revenue, while reducing the strains of the grossly overcrowded prisons, more worthy of consideration for other legislators and voters.
“We are seeing a real sea-change in public attitudes; public opinion has reversed itself; this year marks the first time that polls have shown a majority for legalization; the economic crisis is making people question whether it makes sense to spend more money on marijuana prohibition,” said Dale Gieringer of NORML.
Last month a San Francisco supervisor said the time had come for the city to consider legalization as well.
More stories related to legalized marijuana:
- Following raid, haze remains
- Pot talk floods White House
- Picture of legal marijuana is found in prohibition era
- A buck a joint to save billions
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Comments
then the governator will not 56% of votes next election
you guys are crazy! but jesus loves you all.
This is good news because pot should be legal. Mexico just legalized possession of small amounts of all drugs. Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2001 and their experience has been positive. Now if you are caught with a 10 day supply of your drug or less you face an administrative court, not a criminal court, but in practice they are just not arresting people. A group of 10,000 very serious policemen, prosecutors, attorneys and citizens have formed a group to legalize ALL drugs, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (leap.cc ) They see what happened when we legalized alcohol in 1932 as a good example of how drug legalization would work. This foolish war on drugs has lasted 37 years and cost us over a TRILLION dollars and we are not an inch closer to stopping drugs. How many millions of Americans are we going to lock up in prison for decades? Mark Montgomery boboberg@nyc.rr dot com
omg its that mark montgomery spammer again
while i aggree with what he is saying he is a spammer and his post has nothing to do with the article whatsoever
Liberty and justice for all, has still got an uphill battle, but California will eventually show the rest of the country that this is more than just an empty promise. Currently, the govenator is not thinking clearly on this issue. The business of America is business and giving the right to sell marijuana only to thugs is not justifiable; it is extremism and I hope the govenator can finish the quote and from their sign legislation legalizing marijuana.
This confirms what we have observed here in California, and all the West Coast. The truth is out. Now, we just need to get the Marijuana Prohibition Industrial Complex out of the way of freedom!
Viva la mota!
It's a harmless plant and I can't believe that the federal government successfully managed to make it illegal. But, now to boot, the government can now make it legal and tax it. it's a no brainer.
Why stop in California. I think it shold be legalized in all 50 states and taxed and regulated just like alcohol.
I would much rather be around someone who has smoked a joint than someone who is drunk There is no comparison. Than they can do away with all the random drug tests at the work place also.
it's funny how EVERY artical i see has comments that: ALL SUPPORT CANNABIS!
Really,I can't seen to find anyone against it!
...So, why do we obey a handful of GoVT SUITS???
CANNABIS NOW!
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