Last weekend, California NORML hosted Cannabis in California: Ending the 100-Year War, an inspiring conference that brought together advocates from across the state, country, and even as far as New Zealand. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the event – California will almost surely see a statewide initiative in 2016 similar to those approved in Colorado and Washington, and it appears local and national activists and organizations will be unified in the effort to get it done.
On the first panel, California NORML Director Dale Gieringer explained how the California State Board of Pharmacy quietly pushed a ban on possession of “hemp, or loco-weed“ through the legislature in 1913 without it receiving any press or opposition. In contrast to that very quiet campaign to demonize and ban marijuana, reversing this failed policy will be very public, and it will undoubtedly face some opposition.
For an initiative to succeed in California, however, it’s important that the opposition doesn’t come from our base. Hence, it was particularly heartening to see so much unity at the conference and at an MPP-hosted strategy meeting on Thursday. Reform organizations, funders, and advocates overwhelmingly supported putting a marijuana regulation initiative on the next presidential ballot in 2016, rather than 2014 (when voter turnout is much less favorable) and working together to see it through. It will be some time before the details of any measure and campaign are hammered out. In the meantime, there appears to be widespread support for advancing statewide regulations on medical marijuana.
For those who are eager to start building support for 2016, we can look to the 2012 Colorado campaign’s “Talk It Up” project, which helped build support leading up to the election by encouraging people to start conversations about the issue with their friends, family members, and others. It’s these personal discussions that change people’s minds and make them more comfortable supporting an end to marijuana prohibition, so start talking it up today!
No chance the legislature moves before then? With all those dems in a supermajority?
If we legalized it as a country…. Our country would get so much more, healthy sleep. I’m sure the drug companies will fight this tooth & nail even though sleep drugs are more dangerous & addicting.
@ Benjamin — Unfortunately, I am not optimistic about the legislature acting first to allow adult marijuana use and regulated sales. Despite Democrats holding a majority, the legislature didn’t even approve Assemblyman Tom Ammiano’s AB 1017 in 2011, which would have simply allowed (not required) prosecutors to charge marijuana cultivation as a misdemeanor instead of a felony. The Assembly vote on that bill was 24-36 at a time with 52 Democrats in the legislature. Many of them failed to vote at all, which is about the same as a “no” vote since 41 “yes” votes are needed regardless of how many members vote. Opinions are changing quickly, though, and politicians are increasingly realizing supporting sensible marijuana policies isn’t a third rail.
Bravo! That’s the right idea. If the Obama Administration defunds by sequestration or by a clear official policy that no federal money is allowed to be spent on cannabis law enforcement in states that have legalized or have medical marijuana laws. That’s a baby step, but it might be enough for California and other states that want to legalize to move things up to the 2014 election, and win. Other states will want to jump on the marijuana money train.
Obama should do that shortly, come out with his policy on keeping the feds out of cannabis states.
No money can be spent. After that, get the fuck out Haag and you other prohibitionists.
If Obama doesn’t come out with clearcut policy to keep the feds out of cannabis states, other states won’t be quick to jump on the money train.
If the Administration screws the cannabis community that way, then keep running the economy into the ground. Keep it churning, always on the edge of a recession, until U.S. Cannabis Prohibition is ended. Why should wealthy people invest to put innovations in the consumer pipeline, thus making jobs, recouping their wealth and spreading it around to their employees as long as the federal government is of the mindset that they have money to waste on cannabis prohibition? Cannabis Prohibition is an utter failure, a waste of money. The squeeze on the states to hack their budgets, keep cutting taxes, but also keep cutting services and the quality of services. State and local government can use the savings and revenues, the jobs, the reduction in crime in human terms because people will be able to use the court system for legal recourse.
The Romneys, Kochs, Kennedys and all the other basically idle rich prohibitionists don’t have enough money or knowhow to crank up the economy. They need the other rich people, liberals and fiscal conservatives. . . need their money, investments and cooperation.
Keep running economy into the ground until cannabis is legalized.
2016 is far too long to wait!!!!! LEGALIZE IT NOW!!!!!
A world of prohibition is a world of slaves.
To “TheOracle”:
Where have you heard that Obama would defund cannabis prohibition via the sequester? He has neither stated nor hinted that he would and not even his enemies have accused him of it. Also, were you aware that Obama has increased the number of federal raids over Bush? Take a look at what MPP has to say about Obama’s performance.
Also, despite your ignorant slander, “the Kochs” have opposed marijuana prohibition probably since before you were born.