'Tax Cannabis 2010' claims enough signatures to reach CA ballot in 2010

[Torie]

I have real concerns about what the federal government might do if California legalizes marijuana (and I do think there is a good chance but not by 61% as the OP dreams about). I think Obama could use us to have his "sistah souljah" moment. Bastard.

I thought about the same issue of what the feds would do if California formally as opposed to de facto legalized pot, as is the case now. My surmise is that if state legal authorities don't enforce federal law regarding pot in California, I don't think it is practicable for federal authorities to do it on their own, which leaves cutting off federal funds to California to bring it into line, and I just don't see that happening. So as a practical matter it appears to me that California would hold the trump cards under this scenario.

[Torie]

Um, if the feds announce tomorrow that they'll cut of CA's funding unless we legalize gay marriage it wouldn't matter either.  Propositions become law.  The feds could try and threaten the voters before the election but that's about it.

The Feds could threaten to cut off federal funding, if state authorities refuse to help in enforcing federal law. Congress could pass a measure along those lines.

[Torie]

Um, if the feds announce tomorrow that they'll cut of CA's funding unless we legalize gay marriage it wouldn't matter either.  Propositions become law.  The feds could try and threaten the voters before the election but that's about it.

The Feds could threaten to cut off federal funding, if state authorities refuse to help in enforcing federal law. Congress could pass a measure along those lines.

And what chance is there of the California government enforcing federal laws even if this measure passes? Especially if someone like a Meg Whitman or even Poizner become governor.

Probably high if the penalty is the loss of billions of federal dollars. It is not a fanciful scenario, because if California legalizes pot, it will go national effectively in a hurry, unless state legal enforcement personnel start enforcing federal law.