Viability of California Proposition 19

(Regulate, Control & Tax Cannabis Act)

by

Anujaya Dissanayake (030709109)

Presented to Professor Roberts

ENG160BB
 From renegade initiative to highly notable campaign, California Proposition 19 has

successfully made headway in raising awareness and bringing into feasible reality the

legalization of cannabis. The premise of Proposition 19 involves the regulation, control and

taxation of marijuana allowing persons aged 21 and older to posses the substance (28.5

grams), grow for personal use (in a space of up to 25 square feet in a private residence) and

use cannabis in a non-public place. The motive was ultimately defeated in California with 46%

of the voters for and 54% of the voters against the proposition. Albeit the campaigns defeat,

Proposition 19 was able to somewhat normalize a previously miscomprehended controlled

substance considered “taboo” by the general public; direct financial as well as societal benefits

are entailed in the act. Through the use of the articles “Taking the next step for California” by

Tom Ammiano1 and “The Push to Legalize Marijuana: It’s Real” by Chris Good, we see the

realistic benefits and opportunities the regulation of cannabis provides as well as the viability of

California Proposition 19. (Ammiano, Good)

What if California could raise hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue to preserve

vital state services without any increase in tax? Considering the cash crop, as estimated,

involves $14 billion being moved annually within the state, it would make sense for California to

tap into this opportunity. This would also represent a logical and natural evolution of law

pertaining to the control of regulated substances, having cannabis join alcohol. Enforcement of

cannabis offenses (possession, sale, growing) alone in California amount to hundreds of

1 - Tom Ammiano is an American Politician and rights activist from California, he is a democrat and member of the California State Assembly

2 - When I say drug dealers I mean the actual criminals moving substantial amounts of marijuana

3 - Remember alcohol? Progressive thinking - hello world, can you please wake the fuck up? (Excuse my profanity but I believe it is justified in representing the gravity of this
statement)

4 - Chief promoter of California Proposition 19, marijuana activist who runs medical marijuana programs throughout Oakland, California

5 - Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is a New York City-based non profit of which is one of the major forces behind national-level drug reform. Some of its goals include availability of
marijuana nationwide and drug related health measures. On its board sits a liberal super-donor George Soros.
millions of dollars where most of that money is spent penalizing minor offences fully avoidable

with the cannabis regulation enacted. As stated by Tom Ammiano, the state’s resources

(monetary and personnel wise) are constantly being tied up chasing mostly minor offences and

therefore preventing violent crimes and other major crimes due to the lack of attention and

resources being spread wide. I agree with the facts and details outlined in Ammiano’s writing; I

see cannabis as a currently heavily exploited substance by the real criminals of society as

opposed to recreational users. Governments as well as we as the general public must put aside

preconceived notions. These biased morals in society of which are unrepresented in terms of

the reality lack of “harm” cannabis really causes itself when used. The dangers associated with

cannabis currently stem from its distribution and the fact that cannabis is illegal and

unregulated by our governments which makes it possible for drug dealers2 to operate thus

creating violence and fear in society.3 (Ammiano)

“The Push to Legalize Marijuana: It’s Real” shows the viability of the movement as well

as campaign behind California Proposition 19 as the authors quoted Dan Newman (of the

campaign) “This isn’t some....whim of a couple of hippies. It’s a serious, well crafted, well funded

campaign that was put together very carefully and professionally run and hopes to win.” The

campaign, led by Richard Lee4, has a highly legitimate backing. This includes many people such

as Chris Lehane, former Bill Clinton communications advisor and press secretary for Al Gore,

both as VP. The cannabis tax campaign is doing everything it takes to win: tv and radio ads,

phone calls, door to doors and amassing volunteers. Due to California not having a limit on

public donations the campaign is reaching out to a broad coalition of donors. Lastly, Tax

1 - Tom Ammiano is an American Politician and rights activist from California, he is a democrat and member of the California State Assembly

2 - When I say drug dealers I mean the actual criminals moving substantial amounts of marijuana

3 - Remember alcohol? Progressive thinking - hello world, can you please wake the fuck up? (Excuse my profanity but I believe it is justified in representing the gravity of this
statement)

4 - Chief promoter of California Proposition 19, marijuana activist who runs medical marijuana programs throughout Oakland, California

5 - Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is a New York City-based non profit of which is one of the major forces behind national-level drug reform. Some of its goals include availability of
marijuana nationwide and drug related health measures. On its board sits a liberal super-donor George Soros.
cannabis has the support of the Drug Policy Alliance5, which is one of the major national-level

drug-policy reform groups. In response to the article, I agree with the facts stated whereby

Proposition 19 is highly viable and professionally supported. Although in the end the act did not

pass, 46% of the voters voted in favor. These numbers represent an opportunity as well as

reality check for the public. Cannabis supporters are unlikely to change their views and vote

against whereas part of the 54% that originally voted against the proposition can be enlightened

and viewed as an opportunity for cannabis to gain backing. I believe through constant exposure

to the media on this issue as well as constant portrayals of the realistic benefits of the cannabis

act can tip the balance in favor of this viable campaign. (Good)

Both aforementioned articles outlay the realistic and logical push to legalize marijuana

by showing its beneficial effects on society as well as the actual reduction of violence related to

this currently illegal substance through a well put together campaign. Relating this issue to

Canada (Ontario), in the spirit of patriotism and for general interest, I believe we as a society are

not ready yet for a proposition such as this. We seem to have extremes in Torontonian society

such as people on one end of the spectrum for and people on the other side against certain

issues as we have seen during the chaos of the G20 summit. Lastly, I side with the authors

wholeheartedly on this topic as I believe through the progressive thinking of society, as with

alcohol, mind sets will start to change as they see the positive force for which cannabis can

represent.

1 - Tom Ammiano is an American Politician and rights activist from California, he is a democrat and member of the California State Assembly

2 - When I say drug dealers I mean the actual criminals moving substantial amounts of marijuana

3 - Remember alcohol? Progressive thinking - hello world, can you please wake the fuck up? (Excuse my profanity but I believe it is justified in representing the gravity of this
statement)

4 - Chief promoter of California Proposition 19, marijuana activist who runs medical marijuana programs throughout Oakland, California

5 - Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is a New York City-based non profit of which is one of the major forces behind national-level drug reform. Some of its goals include availability of
marijuana nationwide and drug related health measures. On its board sits a liberal super-donor George Soros.
Works Cited

Ammiano, Tom. "Taking the next step for California." New Times SLO 30 Jun. 2010:
Volume 24, Issue 48.

Good, Chris. "The Push to Legalize Marijuana: It's Real" The Atlantic 2 Apr 2010:
Accessed from:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/04/the-push-to-legalize-marijuana-its-
real/384r10/

1 - Tom Ammiano is an American Politician and rights activist from California, he is a democrat and member of the California State Assembly

2 - When I say drug dealers I mean the actual criminals moving substantial amounts of marijuana

3 - Remember alcohol? Progressive thinking - hello world, can you please wake the fuck up? (Excuse my profanity but I believe it is justified in representing the gravity of this
statement)

4 - Chief promoter of California Proposition 19, marijuana activist who runs medical marijuana programs throughout Oakland, California

5 - Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is a New York City-based non profit of which is one of the major forces behind national-level drug reform. Some of its goals include availability of
marijuana nationwide and drug related health measures. On its board sits a liberal super-donor George Soros.