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

[© tweed]

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a few polls, and intuition, suggest this is likely to pass a statewide referendum.  then it gets really fun.  election night 2010: 'so the nation's most populous state has voted 61% to legalize and regulate marijuana!'  gasps all around from the ignoramuses in the rural south and suburban housemoms.

every time I've brought this up - that this thing does have a chance - I've been panned.  so when can we start discussing reality?  now, or when the SoS approves the signatures?  because I'm antsy to begin reasoned discussion about the potential aftermath.  what does Obama do?  does he tell the millions upon millions of voters that participated in a democratic referendum that, hey, too bad, your vote is null and void, the Drug War lives on!!  or does he swallow, take a deep breath, and give in to the rising tide?

probably the former, because Obama sucks, but it's a matter of time.  as is my existence.

[Scam of God]

I support and endorse this legislation.

[Boris]

it's more fun if it's illegal

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Tax cannabis and prohibit it to those under 21?

Thanks, but no thanks.

[Scam of God]

Tax cannabis and prohibit it to those under 21?

Thanks, but no thanks.

Look, I agree with you, but we have to take baby-steps on this sort of thing. This would accomplish some of our goals. Think pragmatically.

[segwaystyle2012]

I assume most would still buy their cannabis from street dealers.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Tax cannabis and prohibit it to those under 21?

Thanks, but no thanks.

Look, I agree with you, but we have to take baby-steps on this sort of thing. This would accomplish some of our goals. Think pragmatically.

Such a policy would further institutionalize the ageism established by MLDA 21.

There should be no age limitation. But even if so, tobacco is still 18 (or 19 in some states), why should cannabis be 21?


Between taxes and age limitations, people would still be buying illegally anyway.

[Scam of God]

Tax cannabis and prohibit it to those under 21?

Thanks, but no thanks.

Look, I agree with you, but we have to take baby-steps on this sort of thing. This would accomplish some of our goals. Think pragmatically.

Such a policy would further institutionalize the ageism established by MLDA 21.

There should be no age limitation. But even if so, tobacco is still 18 (or 19 in some states), why should cannabis be 21?


Between taxes and age limitations, people would still be buying illegally anyway.

There's a bigger victory to be won for all the minimal losses we might take in the process.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Tax cannabis and prohibit it to those under 21?

Thanks, but no thanks.

Look, I agree with you, but we have to take baby-steps on this sort of thing. This would accomplish some of our goals. Think pragmatically.

Such a policy would further institutionalize the ageism established by MLDA 21.

There should be no age limitation. But even if so, tobacco is still 18 (or 19 in some states), why should cannabis be 21?


Between taxes and age limitations, people would still be buying illegally anyway.

There's a bigger victory to be won for all the minimal losses we might take in the process.

Well its a lot easier for you to say since you're going to be 21 in a month...

[Sewer]

I support and endorse this legislation.

[Scam of God]

Tax cannabis and prohibit it to those under 21?

Thanks, but no thanks.

Look, I agree with you, but we have to take baby-steps on this sort of thing. This would accomplish some of our goals. Think pragmatically.

Such a policy would further institutionalize the ageism established by MLDA 21.

There should be no age limitation. But even if so, tobacco is still 18 (or 19 in some states), why should cannabis be 21?


Between taxes and age limitations, people would still be buying illegally anyway.

There's a bigger victory to be won for all the minimal losses we might take in the process.

Well its a lot easier for you to say since you're going to be 21 in a month...

If we get it legalized now, then we have essentially created space in public discourse with which to hammer away at the age restrictions later. If it stays illegal based on principle, then that space is not there and we cannot say we tried to act on our principles when the opportunity presented itself.

[Sbane]

I assume most would still buy their cannabis from street dealers.

Why? If you mean it is still going to be bought on the streets by those who are under 21, I must say you are wrong. Anybody who is above the age of 18 or is in college will have access to it since their peers will be 21. I doubt there will be a thriving black market for younger teens who want to smoke it. I mean is there a black market for alcohol out there? Are there "street" alcohol dealers?

[Lunar]

I assume most would still buy their cannabis from street dealers.

It would depend on its pricing and its availability.  If cornerstores and supermarkets could sell it, most of the illegal market would try up quickly. 

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Tax cannabis and prohibit it to those under 21?

Thanks, but no thanks.

Look, I agree with you, but we have to take baby-steps on this sort of thing. This would accomplish some of our goals. Think pragmatically.

Such a policy would further institutionalize the ageism established by MLDA 21.

There should be no age limitation. But even if so, tobacco is still 18 (or 19 in some states), why should cannabis be 21?


Between taxes and age limitations, people would still be buying illegally anyway.

There's a bigger victory to be won for all the minimal losses we might take in the process.

Well its a lot easier for you to say since you're going to be 21 in a month...

If we get it legalized now, then we have essentially created space in public discourse with which to hammer away at the age restrictions later. If it stays illegal based on principle, then that space is not there and we cannot say we tried to act on our principles when the opportunity presented itself.

If you were black, would you march side-by-side with whites for a bill that only legalized marijuana for whites?

[© tweed]

I assume most would still buy their cannabis from street dealers.

It would depend on its pricing and its availability.  If cornerstores and supermarkets could sell it, most of the illegal market would try up quickly. 

illegal market would be fitted for a gravestone.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Libertas would be 21 less than a year after this took effect anyway.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

So you would all be cheering on a proposal like this too?

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Libertas would be 21 less than a year after this took effect anyway.

So what? Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

It'd make it easier for people underage to get pot too. It's not like there's much difficulty in people under 21 getting alcohol.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

It'd make it easier for people underage to get pot too. It's not like there's much difficulty in people under 21 getting alcohol.

That's not the point. People of all ages can get pot now anyway. All this would do is further institutionalize state-sanctioned discrimination against youth.

[Boris]

It'd make it easier for people underage to get pot too. It's not like there's much difficulty in people under 21 getting alcohol.

That's not the point. People of all ages can get pot now anyway. All this would do is further institutionalize state-sanctioned discrimination against youth.

Sure, everyone can get pot, but it's expensive and the logistics are often cumbersome. From the perspective of an under-21, the only tangible effect this law would have on their lives is the reduction of price and increased accessibility. The ageist component is meaningless (i.e. lacks any negative ramifications) due to a lack of enforcement. And I mean, when you're drinking underage or getting high, you're not thinking about the federal government or state law. You're creating new memories and experiences. You're living your life. I've had plenty of memorable experiences and memories with pot, and would undoubtedly have numerous more if over-21s could legally purchase it at the corner gas station. I'd be an idiot to throw away more of those memories over some silly principle, and you would be too (assuming you smoke and enjoy smoking). 

[Lunar]

It'd make it easier for people underage to get pot too. It's not like there's much difficulty in people under 21 getting alcohol.

Actually I think it's often the inverse.  Alcohol is harder for many 15-20 year olds to get, partially because there are not ubiquitous alcohol "dealers" who make a profit.  A highschooler wishing to get alcohol may have to get his friend's older brother to get some, and if the older brother is not going to the store anyway it's much more of an unwieldy request.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

That sure as hell isn't true in college. Not that getting either in college is in any way difficult...

[Boris]

It's true in suburbia to a certain extent; you just have to plan ahead. It's ultimately more difficult finding a suitable location to drink as opposed to getting the stuff.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Suburbs are epic fail. Live in an area that has serious crime so the cops have more important things to do than harass underage drinkers and potheads. Minneapolis doesn't really enforce either.