# California - legal weed going on the ballot baby! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 26, 2010, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852 "2010-03-26T07:51:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/1 "2010-03-26T07:51:36Z")
So it’s finally [here](http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-marijuana-legalization-california,0,6666429.story), the petition they’ve been kicking around for a while (and I was one of the signatories, I’m proud to say) got approved for the November ballot. I’m sure some naysayers will come in with “it’ll never pass” but I don’t know. Polls show a “slim majority” in favor, and the pro- campaign will be spending quite a bit of money (I can’t find the other article I read about it but basically they will be spending a lot more than the opposing side - and the opposing side is pretty cocky that they’ll win anyway). Hell, Nevada’s on their fourth try for legalizing it so I’m not going to plan the party just yet. But I am hopeful that it has a real chance of passing. What say ye, Dopers? I actually care less about the weed itself (though make no mistake, if it becomes legal I will definitely buy some), than the sheer glee at the uproar and culture shift that’ll come with it if it passes. I mean, you’ve still got that pesky DEA but how will they respond? Do they really have the funding to try and stop California, the state with the biggest economy by far, on a mass scale? And would that be a politically smart move? The fallout will be very interesting. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/2 "2010-03-26T08:15:46Z")
I think it’ll pass. Oregon and Washington have had rumblings about putting similar measures on the ballot for this year. [http://www.taxcannabis.org](http://www.taxcannabis.org) [http://www.cannabistaxact.org](http://www.cannabistaxact.org) ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/3 "2010-03-26T08:22:59Z")
Well one thing’s for sure - it couldn’t have come at a better time. Our state needs the money way too bad to let this potential sizable new revenue stream slip away. ---
**Author:** ![Nicolas\_Bourbaki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecc23a/32.png) [@Nicolas\_Bourbaki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nicolas_Bourbaki)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/4 "2010-03-26T08:44:55Z")
Full text [http://www.taxcannabis2010.org/index.php/pages/initiative/](http://www.taxcannabis2010.org/index.php/pages/initiative/) Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but the measure would also prohibit random drug tests. If you thought the Mormons were bad two years ago, just think how much worse the good folks at Wal\*Mart will be. But if that bit gets tossed, I guess it could have an outside chance in 2012 when the liberals get fired up about the Obama/Palin race. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/5 "2010-03-26T09:01:39Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > What say ye, Dopers? I say ye must change your username to **Rizlaroll** if it passes 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/6 "2010-03-26T09:03:52Z")
> [@Nicolas\_Bourbaki](#): > > Full text > [http://www.taxcannabis2010.org/index.php/pages/initiative/](http://www.taxcannabis2010.org/index.php/pages/initiative/) > > Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but the measure would also prohibit random drug tests. If you thought the Mormons were bad two years ago, just think how much worse the good folks at Wal\*Mart will be. I dunno, that could work in its favor. Aside from Big Corporate, who really loves the idea of random workplace drug testing? Even if you’ve never done a drug in your life, that’s gotta be kind of demeaning and intrusive. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/7 "2010-03-26T09:58:49Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Aside from Big Corporate, who really loves the idea of random workplace drug testing? The thing is, Big Corporate is everything. They’re running the place now. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/8 "2010-03-26T10:20:10Z")
Hope it passes. It could cause a lot of problems with the cash flow of a lot of Mexican gangs. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/9 "2010-03-26T14:17:47Z")
One of my professors is on the [International Narcotics Control Board](http://www.incb.org/). I’m sure he’ll give us a little rant next Wednesday on this. I can guarantee already that it will not be positive. Heh. My dad (who actually lives in California), on the other hand, seems delighted. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/10 "2010-03-26T14:27:07Z")
I don’t care either way. But then I’m not in the greatest mood this morning so for now I’ll be against it. Besides, why should you get legal weed when I can’t get married? (yep, guess I am feeling contrary today) ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/11 "2010-03-26T15:02:29Z")
Why is weed bad? _Because it’s illegal, that’s why._ Why is it illegal? _Because it’s bad._ This time around, there is an actual money-making industry built upon (medical) marijuana, and they will be spending a good portion of their revenue on promoting the bill. I think it has a good chance, but it will be narrowly defeated. I think enough of the central valley will vote against it, and enough people overall will get duped by the boogeyman ads run by opponents that we’ll have to try again later. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/12 "2010-03-26T15:06:19Z")
What I want to know: who is going to host the first REAL California Dopefest? ---
**Author:** ![gladtobeblazed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@gladtobeblazed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gladtobeblazed)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/13 "2010-03-26T15:10:41Z")
I’ll be embarrassed if we get legal weed before gay marriage. If it passes then it just seems like it’s all about the money, not morality. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/14 "2010-03-26T15:24:12Z")
The [Humboldt County](http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/03/25/405825/legalize-it-pot-farmers-are-aghast.html?storylink=misearch) pot growers have an interesting reaction to the proposed law: > [@](#): > > If California legalizes marijuana, they say, it will drive down the price of their crop and damage not just their livelihoods but the entire economy along the state’s rugged northern coast. > > “The legalization of marijuana will be the single most devastating economic event in the long boom-and-bust history of Northern California,” said Anna Hamilton, 62, a Humboldt County radio host and musician who said her involvement with marijuana has mostly been limited to smoking it for the past 40 years. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/15 "2010-03-26T15:25:54Z")
We (Massachusetts) decriminalized mj last year, and as far as I can tell that act did not usher in the Apocolypse. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/16 "2010-03-26T15:35:13Z")
Think of all the dealers it will put out of business. I guess they won’t get unemployment benefits… ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/17 "2010-03-26T15:52:05Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Hope it passes. It could cause a lot of problems with the cash flow of a lot of Mexican gangs. This is why I support the ballot initiative. I can’t vote in CA, so I’m going to give money to their campaign. Our stupid drug policy is killing people in Mexico, and imprisoning people here. > [@Winston\_Smith](#): > > We (Massachusetts) decriminalized mj last year, and as far as I can tell that act did not usher in the Apocolypse. Please note that this is not decriminalization, but legalization. I hope it does usher in huge change. (not the apocalypse, of course.) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/18 "2010-03-26T15:59:58Z")
It isn’t going to pass. No way. There are too many conservative voters in this state, and an issue like this makes sure they vote. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/19 "2010-03-26T17:12:04Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > I don’t care either way. But then I’m not in the greatest mood this morning so for now I’ll be against it. Besides, why should you get legal weed when I can’t get married? (yep, guess I am feeling contrary today) Think of it this way: when pot is legal people will start to mellow out more and get all “free love”-y, at which point they’ll be more prone to passing gay marriage. > [@silenus](#): > > It isn’t going to pass. No way. There are too many conservative voters in this state, and an issue like this makes sure they vote. Yeah but there are a lot of people who support the cause too, and the campaign is gonna have to hinge on getting those people (especially young people, the way the Obama campaign targeted young people) to actually get off their ass and vote. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852/20 "2010-03-26T17:48:52Z")
Anyone seen any poll numbers on this? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-legal-weed-going-on-the-ballot-baby/533852.md?page=2)