Calif. initiative to legalize pot picks up support

[웃 910]

Prop. 19 picks up support

September 26, 2010 - Associated Press

An initiative that would make California the first state to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana use has become more popular among voters likely to cast a ballot in the November election, according to a Field Poll released Sunday.

The survey found Proposition 19 was favored by 49 percent of likely voters, with 42 percent opposed. That's a significant shift from July, when a similar poll found the initiative trailing by 4 percentage points.

"There's a real chance of passage here. It didn't look that way two months ago," Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo said. "Voters certainly understand the concept here. It's not a complicated initiative."

DiCamillo said the challenge for the initiative's backers will be to hold onto that support and persuade some undecided voters to come to their side.

That could be difficult if law enforcement officials and leading politicians launch what is expected to be an opposition campaign in the final weeks leading up to the election.

In an opinion piece published Friday in the Los Angeles Times, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the initiative would make California a laughingstock if it passed and would cause legal nightmares for the state.

Critics also have said the initiative will encourage marijuana use and increase drug-related crimes while doing little for the state's economy.

If Proposition 19 passes, adults could possess up to one ounce of the drug, and the state could tax its distribution and sale.

Supporters say legalizing marijuana would bring much-needed revenue to the state while reducing the influence of drug cartels. Its supporters include the state's largest labor group, the 700,000-member Service Employees International Union.

Younger voters were among the strongest backers of the initiative, with those under 40 favoring it 59 percent to 33 percent. Voters 65 and older opposed the proposition 53 percent to 36 percent.

DiCamillo said the survey questioned more older voters to reflect projected voter turnout in gubernatorial elections.

In general, more voters favor marijuana legalization today than four decades ago. A 1969 Field Poll found that just 13 percent of California's registered voters supported legalization. That rose to 30 percent in 1983 and nearly 50 percent this year.

Support for legalized medicinal marijuana has remained steady over the past six years, at 74 percent of registered voters.

The poll also surveyed likely voters about Proposition 23, an initiative funded by out-of-state oil companies that would suspend the state's 2006 law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Opponents outnumber supporters 45 percent to 34 percent.

Meanwhile, voters continue to support Proposition 25, which would allow the state Legislature to pass budgets with a simple majority vote rather than a two-thirds majority. It has support from 46 percent of likely voters compared to 30 percent who oppose it.

The poll surveyed 857 registered voters by telephone from Sept. 14 to Sept. 21. It had a sampling error margin of 4.1 percentage points for likely voters.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Good. I would then like to see the government use the 200 billion we have spent fighting this plant used to pay down the national debt. what a joke. Spend billions to attempt to enforce a ban against a plant that is less harmfull than alcohol which is legal.

[웃 910]

Good. I would then like to see the government use the 200 billion we have spent fighting this plant used to pay down the national debt. what a joke. Spend billions to attempt to enforce a ban against a plant that is less harmfull than alcohol which is legal.

It's not a joke in Maldives.

5 years prison for having weed in your system

5 years for possessing 1 gram

http://www.visajourn...1-gram-of-weed/

Edited September 26, 2010 by Lord Infamous

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

It's not a joke in Maldives.

5 years prison for having weed in your system

5 years for possessing 1 gram

http://www.visajourn...1-gram-of-weed/

OK, so lets just cut California off the mainland, float it out to sea a few hundred miles and imprison marijuana users. If it works we can try it with the other states.

I do not care what they do in Maldives if they are not wasting MY money doing it.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The survey found Proposition 19 was favored by 49 percent of likely voters, with 42 percent opposed. That's a significant shift from July, when a similar poll found the initiative trailing by 4 percentage points.

Hallelujah!

[twowls 217]

I may or may not have a friend who may or may not have a medical marijuana card, and they may or may not already get that sh*t taxed. But it's inconsistent--some dispensaries tax and some don't, from what I've heard, or not. This friend would probably be happy if there was a hard and fast rule about the taxing of the plants they are or are not purchasing. And definitely not enjoying. At all. Go Beer!!!

Also, and unfortunately, that is one weak-a*s poll structure.

[웃 910]

I have a card coming in the mail. About a 5 to 6 month waitlist. I am expecting it to arrive early November. I get a headache once in a while so I am eligible, and my $250 made me extra eligible.

[twowls 217]

I have a card coming in the mail. About a 5 to 6 month waitlist. I am expecting it to arrive early November. I get a headache once in a while so I am eligible, and my $250 made me extra eligible.

You be doin' it rong. In CA?