NORML Breaking News: California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Tax And Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol
February 23rd, 2009 By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive DirectorShare this Article
Speaking at a landmark press conference today, California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced comprehensive legislation to tax and regulate the commercial production and sale of cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol.
“With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense. This legislation would generate much needed revenue for the state, restrict access to only those over 21, end the environmental damage to our public lands from illicit crops, and improve public safety by redirecting law enforcement efforts to more serious crimes”, Assemblyman Ammiano said. “California has the opportunity to be the first state in the nation to enact a smart, responsible public policy for the control and regulation of marijuana.”
The proposal is the first marijuana legalization bill ever introduced in California.
“It’s time for California taxpayers to stop wasting money trying to enforce marijuana prohibition, and to realize the tax benefits from a legal, regulated market instead,” said Dale Gieringer, director of California NORML, a sponsor of the bill.
As introduced, Ammiano’s measure would allow for the licensed production and sale of cannabis to consumers age 21 and over. Licensed cultivators would pay an excise tax of $50 per ounce of cannabis. In addition, the proposal would impose a sales tax on commercial sales. (Ammiano’s proposal would not affect the state’s medical marijuana law, allowing patients and caregivers to grow their own medicine.)
If enacted, the measure would raise over $1 billion per year in state revenue, according to an economic analysis by California NORML, available online here.
Ammiano’s bill comes at a time of growing public support for legalizing marijuana. A recent Zogby poll reported that nearly six in ten west coast voters support taxing and regulating marijuana like alcohol.
Faced with a $40 billion budget deficit, other public officials have joined in endorsing Ammiano’s bill, including San Francisco Sheriff Mike Hennessy and Betty Yee, a member of the State Board of Equalization, which oversees collection of sales taxes.
Currently, tens of millions of dollars are paid annually in state and local taxes by licensed distributors of medical marijuana. However, these sales only represent a fraction of the overall statewide marijuana market. “The millions of dollars raised each year on the sales of medicinal cannabis is only the tip of the iceberg,” Gieringer said. “Kudos to Assemblyman Ammiano for proposing a path-breaking bill that would benefit our economy, safety and freedom by making marijuana a winning proposition for California.”
Tags: Allen St. Pierre, Ammiano, California, cannabis, hemp, legalization, marijuana, medical marijuana, NORML, taxes
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
cool dude!
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
What can we expect from this bill? When is its next hearing, what are the requirements for the bill to be passed, etc?
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
It’s about time the government gets on board with the people about legalizing hemp and creating an untapped source of income for this country. I really hope this passes and other states will realize the benefits of legalization.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Hell yeah, that’s tight.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
ITS ABOUT TIME!!! Enough said.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
finally!
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Wow.. Im so astonished. I don’t know what to say. It’s like they say.. History moves forward in short bursts followed by long periods of regression and stagnancy. Wow. Yay California. Once this gets passed there are bound to be problems like state lines and other trafficking. Soon it’ll be.. Marijuana Bars.. And MJ Clubs.. places designated for smoking marijuana?.. Brands of MJ and Companies started to produce legal cannabis. This is revolutionary. I’m so glad to be a young person at this time.. Please let this bill pass.. PRAISE BE TO SCIENCE!
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Whooooooooooooooooooooa this is amazing. If this doesn’t put pressure on the federal government, I’m sure something else will. I’m so proud of the cannabis community proving that apathy and sloth are not on our to-do list. We care about something enough to fight the government for it. Our generation will be remembered as the one who gave humanity what was rightfully ours all along.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
This is great news!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Can it be true? Is it really going to happen… I have my skepticism but man I hope this passes
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
This is the best news i’ve heard; just like Cali to be the leader. I hope it’s soon i will be making plans to visit! Just think of all the tourist revinue that will be coming in. I bet everyone will be vacationing in Cali. Good luck!
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I just may have to move to Cali…
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Now if they’d just release all the nonviolent ‘criminals’ serving hard time in prison for being caught or planted with some of the world’s most prolific plant.
By the way, they should also look into harvesting industrial hemp so we can stop cutting down trees to make paper. Hempen paper is better than tree based paper anyway.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
this is amazing news
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:07 pm
“You better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone, for the times they are a-changing.”
Great to hear!
But…
What are the chances of this passing? And if it does, how long until the DEA flips out and arrests everyone in Cali?
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:15 pm
This is great news. Hopefully the legislators will listen to their constituents and pass this into law. The fact that such a high ranking law official is backing this is very important. Bring about change California, we are counting on you to break the ground.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
GO TOM ,GO…
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
This is awesome!
I hope my $10 helps you guys a ton
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
This is nothing short of FANTASTIC news! It’s great to hear a major politician and THE SF sheriff endorse this bill!
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Wow. It’s about time!!! Now the question, What will the feds do if the state actually passes this legislation?
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
It’s about time. This article really made my day. Unfortunately, I live about as far away from CA as is possible while still being in the U.S., and here in Virginia, marijuana laws are unbelievably harsh. My possession charge netted me 6 months of probation, 6 months of license suspension, 24 hours of community service, and a rehab course. But, if this bill passes, it will only be a matter of time before the rest of the country sees how responsible marijuana usage benefits everyone involved. This is truly a great day.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
[...] NORML Blog ? Blog Archive ? NORML Breaking News: California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Ta… I don’t know if this has been posted yet, but I thought it would be interesting to see the reaction on this forum: Quote: [...]
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
this is good news i hope more states do this so we can have a safe place to buy cannabis it will get rid of the black market let the cannabis user out of jail .
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
ANYONE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE NEW JERSEY MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL??????
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Just think if this passes in California it wont be long until other states introduce similar legislation.
I do believe that the legalization of Cannabis is right around the corner.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
very cool
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:06 pm
By God, man, make it happen!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I hope the legislators in California can put aside all the rhetoric and Just Say No talking points and look at this from an economic standpoint. This legislation is a real economic stimulus package. This will create jobs, tax revenue for a cash strapped state, and save a lot of money. It’s common sense. I hope those people in the legislature can see that.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
So awesome…Perfect timing as well. Come on California!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
w00t
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Wow…I don’t know what to say. I hope if this passes there we’ll see it in other states too, go California!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
bout time
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Well it’s about time somebody made this a purely economic debate. Put it on the ballot and I guarantee Cali would go for it as a revenue generating measure.
Its already basically legal there. The sky nor the world hasn’t ended. California will see a surge of ‘pot tourism’ as we wont all have to go to Europe to be treated as normal human beings.
Bring it on Cali!! I will gladly pay your sales tax, excise taxes, inhalation tax, exhalation tax, bong purchase tax, and lighter tax to fire up LEGALLY!!
Please please please please all cali-people who read this blog: contact your local State rep. Have them get on board. KEEP THE PRESSURE ON!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
slight correction to the above: The sky HASNT FALLEN nor the world ended. Man, and I’m cold sober.
Thanks NORML for all you do.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
About fucking time!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Time to leave New York behind and move back to Cali!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I really hope this gets far.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
YES!! This *could* be just the impetus we need to move forward!! Any idea when this will be taken up and is there any live video feed?
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
This would be great if the proposed excise tax was reasonable. $50 an ounce is absurdly high. $50 a pound would be more like it.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
hope there will soon b someplace i can live without the fear of getting caught
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
and that W.V. soon follows suit
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
!Is this the spark (pun intended) that will ignite the end of this nasty de-humanizing over zealous war on humanity?…..I for one am ectatic and i live in good ol texas wish i was in san fran….
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Thank you Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, This is a another step in the right direction and only makes sense in these desperate economic times. Maybe the other 49 states would jump on board and actually begin to right this capsized ship.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
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February 23rd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Let’s get this baby passed!
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Any idea when this would come to a vote/fruition?
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
so is it legal now?
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
that would b nice , hope the other 49 follow the leader
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
How likely is this to pass?
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Another step forward in the movement, now let’s get on our local (and national) media outlets to report on this. We’ve got to get this into mainstream media so we can bring it to people’s attention. The fact is that the majority of people do not use marijuana and don’t think about it much; but what’s becoming more of a fact is that even these non-users come to the same conclussion that marijuana laws are unjust and the harm of marijuana laws do not match the harm of marijuana use. So let’s get them to think about this subject…. the more people that we get to think about it, the more people we’ll have on our side!
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:28 pm
This is so great, California is the first, and hopefully won’t be the last.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:29 pm
AWESOME! I really hope this legislature passes. I live about an hour north of California… can out-of-state residents buy?
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:32 pm
When you can’t dazzle them with brilliance nor baffle them with bullshit, flash the green. Money that is. In the end it always comes down to this.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
California was the first state to criminalize Cannabis.
It would be nice to see Sacramento right the wrongs of prohibition and blaze a trail for other states to follow.
I wish Ammiano and his bill nothing but complete success!
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
You wait and wait to see something like this come along, and when it happens you just don’t know what to do with yourself. This is the happiest I’ve been in a while. We are so close to legalization I can taste it, and it tastes good.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Please support Assemblymember Ammiano’s measure to regulate marijuana. The war on drugs is a war on people.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
wow! this is huge! can’t believe the networks haven’t picked it up yet! any public reaction yet?
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
[...] link [...]
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
NJ State Senate just voted to legalize medical marijuana! The vote passed 22-16.
That makes NJ #14!
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Get your emails following to the California Legislature. I tried checking the main stream media for any announcements and I haven’t found anything. Hopefully, this will get the debate going for legalization!
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:59 pm
It’s about time. Too bad it’s Cali and not Oregon though, lol. We will have our chance as well.
Good Luck!!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Made my day. 1 billion? STATE? Imagine the whole country.
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Hell yes. I don’t want to get too excited though, it is just a proposal but still big news. Norml, I expect you to get those ads running in California to convince the other 4/10.
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
This is unbelievable! Finally the some members of the government, even if only at the state level, got the gusto to do what they should have done years ago. Bravo!
Is there any way we can contact this assemblyman to show our support?
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
This is great but 21 really? Come on it should be 18 as should drinking.
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Can I get an Amen?
Halli fucking lujah
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:18 pm
About time, lets hope this bill gets passed in time to “bailout” the economy.
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:18 pm
It’s about time. I do hope we’ll see a rise in employment and improvement in our economy. It’s another step, or perhaps a leap. Let’s wait and see if other states follow.
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:19 pm
About time
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
good news mates but remember if you (U) don’t send your assemblymen your support and approval then if it does not pass you know the story…up in smoke!
find yours now here: http://www.asm.ca.gov/clerk/MEMBERINFORMATION/memberdir_1.asp and http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/asm-addresses.html
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:24 pm
what a relief some goverment officals finally thinking for peoples rights
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:26 pm
This is a great step, but a $50/oz tax is outrageous! Alcohol is only taxed $3.30/gal (for spirits) or $0.20/gal (wine and beer), which with affordable liquor ends up being around 2-3%.
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
(For comparison, with an ounce costing $200-300, a $50/oz tax is about 15-25%.)
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
finally
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
about time
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
YES, YES, YES!!! Finally, a step in the right direction that has the potential to help countless people, whether they smoke or not. Kudos to Assemblyman Ammiano.
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Go Baby Go!
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Well! That makes it a little easier to have faith!
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Yeah yeah, and it’ll just sit around forever and never be decided on just like that HR 5843 that’s last action was in april 2008. I’m not even gonna get excited about this one.
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Kudos…No Doubt
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
This is excellent, I was beginning to think that nothing was going to happen in my lifetime. Let’s get this going and start a revolution, they had no right to make it illegal in the first place.
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
[...] February 23, 2009 in Uncategorized Assembly Member Tom Ammiano finally put the proposal into writing. [...]
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
[...] Tom Amiano Pushing To Make Legal In CA again http://blog.norml.org/2009/02/23/nor…-like-alcohol/ norml’s article has a little more info and its a little more [...]
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
[...] The Day Has Come http://blog.norml.org/2009/02/23/nor…-like-alcohol/ norml’s article has a little more info and its a little more [...]
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Now’s the chance to step up and be heard in a way that counts. Support Assemblyman Tom Ammiano. If your fortunate enough to live in his district, VOTE FOR HIM. If you live in a nearby district volunteer for his campaign. If you live anywhere on planet earth make a monetary contribution to his campaign. Let him know that his courage will be rewarded by our support. We need to get him to D.C. as a Senator. BUT BE REAL. The chances of his bill passing are slight at best. Now is however a chance to reward courage as well as a call to punish prohibitionist. AT THE BALLOT BOX.
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:11 pm
[...] California bill introduced to legalize http://blog.norml.org/2009/02/23/nor…-like-alcohol/ norml’s article has a little more info and its a little more [...]
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
What wonderful news! This could be the beginning of the end of prohibition! Everyone needs to do their part to educate their neighbors and show their support for this bill, even if you don’t live in California. When this passes there will be a domino effect as other states rush to get their share of the revenues. With the economy in the state that it is, nationwide legalization will be inevitable.
The time is now!
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:29 pm
it better be legal within the next 5 years
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
FINALLY
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I’m impressed
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Hell yeah!
It’s about time, California’s looking better every time I look at it.
If I lived there I’d definitely be one of the first to vote yes on this!
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:58 pm
50 dollars an ounce. Too much.
Grow your own.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
We need a link so that we can write out legislature about the bill…and urge them to pass it. The first state to legalise cannabis is in for a mountain of money.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
So what happens from here. How long until this is up for vote and passed.
This is a time when we need to support Cali.
What can we do to help if your not from cali…pray?
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I hope to god that this passes. It’s time that someone brought this up and I have faith that it will. If this gets passed hopefully the rest of the country will be able to see this example and follow suit.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:16 pm
WAR IS OVER
we want it
~pEaCe & `LoVe+
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Thank god somebody did this. I really do believe that taxing Cannabis can REALLY help our economy. In fact, I would confidently say that the taxation of Cannabis would be such a booming business that we may be able to pull our selves up from the boot straps as far this Government revenue crisis.
KEEP FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHTS!
Peace
-Chris
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
i never thought i would see the day. i will probably cry when that happens
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Does anyone have a copy of the proposed legislation?
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Great, now how can we get this passed?
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:40 pm
There is no doubt that decriminalizing marijuana, as well as providing for the regulation of its legal use is long overdue. Fashioning this civil regulation after the same laws that govern the use of alcohol would even be acceptable, if that is what this new proposal actually does. But in fact, that is not the case here. Since when does a person have to be 21 to drink (use) alcohol in California?
And, what the hell is there to celebrate about this little detail?
“Licensed cultivators would pay an excise tax of $50 per ounce of cannabis. In addition, the proposal would impose a sales tax on commercial sales.”
A sales tax may well be reasonable on retail commercial sales, and the “cultivators” should be licensed and assessed a license fee; but “an excise tax of $50 per ounce of cannabis” is absurd; it is certainly not anything that NORML should be promoting as some wonderful breakthrough.
We need sensible comprehensive legislation governing the entire spectrum of cannabis farming. The legal model should be fashioned after agricultural law, once the archaic criminalization of cannabis is dispensed with.
This is not reform, this capitulation!
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Already sent e-mail to my Assembly person and Senators.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
BRING IT CALIFORNIA !!!!!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Incredible news to hear, all the way from Ontario.
How likely is this bill to pass?
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Woodsy, I love WV, thats why I still live here, but lets fae it, WV will be one of the last states to have medical MJ let alone legalized. Hopefully I am wrong as I often am.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I was worried I would never see this day….. I think I may cry because how happy I am.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
All Cali heads must let their reps know how they feel !! We can change the system if we try !!!
Peace and Good Luck
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:37 pm
how does a bill become a law in california?
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:51 pm
This makes me so happy. I really hope people decide to be reasonable and listen to this.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I’m all for the responsible use of Cannabis.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 pm
In any law there must be the right to grow you own.
I can just imagin everybody would be smoking little more than industrial hemp after the regulators get there hands on it.
With out the right to grow your own that is what you will be smoking. Hope I am wrong.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I hope that we can join together and let our elected officials know that we exist and are human beings capable of love, reason and equality even though we prefer a separate form of artificial stimulation. Booze is ok but some want other ways to relax after playing the role of slave for 8 hours. DON’T BE SHY! call the Cali elected officials and present them with the facts! To those worrying about sin taxes please keep in mind that if us Californians have to pay $50 an ounce it’s OK because if you want to gain the hearts of non-smokers you must seduce them with what they are addicted to and that is $$$.
-Al
Port Hueneme, Ca
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:22 pm
This is great! To those seeking to move to California, if it is legalized, I say, stay where you are fight for your own states legalization. When other states see how well this is working for Ca. they’ll come to their senses and legalize it! Then the Fed. Gov. will have no argument for the war on pot when over 50% of states legalize it!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
This is great! To those seeking to move to California, if it is legalized, I say, stay where you are fight for your own states legalization. When other states see how well this is working for Ca. they’ll come to their senses and legalize it! Then the Fed. Gov. will have no argument for the war on pot when over 50% of states legalize it!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
How can you complain about $50 an ounce? I don’t use it anymore because its illegal but if it were legal I would happily pay twice what they are going to tax. Knowing that I wouldnt be arrested or lose my job over it would be well worth the tax.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Hopefully the love will spread west
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
It’s happening before our eyes…..
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
The great thing about this is that there is nothing but upside for everyone!
I’d love to see this enacted and then have crime stats come out next year showing that crime has dropped significantly, the state is much safer, the budget deficits have been equalized and/or replaced with surpluses, and money from tourism skyrocketing.
Once this happens, there should be absolutely no reason why the Federal government wouldn’t eliminate the laws against Cannabis and other drugs altogether.
This could also be a HUGE victory for States’ Rights!
LEGALIZE FREEDOM. . .FOR ALL AMERICANS!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
It’s about time someone with power came to terms with this reality. WTG Cali!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Although I am extremely happy that this bill has been introduced, I don’t care for the 21 and over age limit. Just as making something illegal doesn’t work with people 21 and over, it doesn’t work with people under 21.
The $50/oz excise tax seems pretty outrageous too, but seeing as this bill is being sold as a way to save California’s economy, I can see why that’s in there.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:56 pm
jeez, c’mon everyone. nothing is going to happen. the bill will be shot down so fast you won’t even remember it was raised.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
[...] first state to bring this bill up, and its about damn time to legalize. Full story from NORML NORML Blog Blog Archive NORML Breaking News: California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Tax An… Pretty much if this bill is passed in California, and governor arnold approves, you can hit up [...]
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 pm
It’s about time! Cannabis is the only thing that helps me with my chronic pain.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Only negative i see of this is that the really potent/high THC strains will be unfairly regulated. Hopefully they will use sensible science to base the laws. Having that said… IT IS ABOUT DAMN TIME.
EVERYONE PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TO YOUR STATE AND FEDERAL SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES. WE MUST GET THE WHOLE NATION TO FOLLOW CALIFORNIAS EXAMPLE. WE MUST LET THEM KNOW THAT CANNABIS USEIN ANY FORM IS NO MORE OF A CRIME THAN DRINKING A BEER AND SMOKING A CIGGARETTE.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 pm
As excited as I am for this proposal, I can’t help but sit back and laugh at the attention the media has given this news. I received an email on my blackberry this morning about it, and immediatly jumped out of bed and ran to my computer to search more on this proposal. I found nothing at foxnews.com, cnn.com, msnbc.com, drudgereport.com….nothing anywhere on the major networks. You know who had articles up about this?
First link on google- salemnews.com
why are they not covering this?
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Meh don’t get your hopes too high. It’s not that likely to pass on its first trip through legislature.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:07 pm
yay! I hope it passes! Great news!
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Residents of California, if you want this to pass, WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMEN! it really dose make a difference.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Good!
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:21 pm
It was mentioned above but please send Assemblyman Ammiano a quick note to express your appreciation for his bill. And if you live in CA, DEFINITELY send an email voicing your support of this fantastic bill to your district’s assemblyperson.
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a13/
http://192.234.213.69/amapsearch/framepage.asp
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 pm
In hopes that it will pass!
The world is watching Cali. so you better do the right thing…….. Legalize IT
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I looked at nbc.com,abc news .com and cbsnews.com. Could not find anything on this VERY IMPORTANT subject. Guess main stream media Dose not want the word out. Mokkie57
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 pm
find your rep here: http://www.asm.ca.gov/clerk/MEMBERINFORMATION/memberdir_1.asp
and
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/asm-addresses.html
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:10 pm
[...] is admittedly biased, but at the front lines on the issue, and its the quote that is of note): NORML Blog Blog Archive NORML Breaking News: California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Tax An… [...]
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
sounds good on paper to have the government taxing cannabis eaisy way to make money, but do we really want the government making money off of us in such a way. Allowing the government regulate on cannabis is worng. It is like smoking meth sooner or later the party comes to an end. sorry for ruining anyones wet dream.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Best way to win support from our friends and communities is to educate yourself by reading books and watching a few documentaries like the ones below
Challenge the bullshit propaganda about this plant
MARIJUANA INC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nai8DPEg890
Marijuana Nation Nat Geo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn68QPUagmk&feature=channel
ESCAPE TO CANADA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPRxoSYeyRQ
In Pot We Trust
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2200160322729097762
Waiting to Inhale
http://video.google.com SEARCH TITLE
Emperor of Hemp: The Jack Herer Story
http://www.joost.com SEARCH TITLE
Hemp For Victory
http://www.archive.org/details/Hemp_for_victory_1942_FIXED
Run From The Cure
http://video.google.com SEARCH TITLE
American Drug War
http://video.google.com SEARCH TITLE
Super High Me
http://www.youtube.com SEARCH TITLE 1/9
Grass: A Marijuana History
http://www.youtube.com SEARCH WHOLE TITLE 1/8
High: The True Tale of American Marijuana
http://video.google.com SEARCH TITLE
The Union: The Business Behind Getting High
http://www.youtube.com SEARCH WHOLE TITLE 1/11
History Channel – Marijuana
http://www.youtube.com SEARCH TITLE 1/5
The Marijuana Conspiracy
http://video.google.com SEARCH TITLE
The Truth About Medical Marijuana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Of6PCVk9qA
The Emperor’s Closet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTqGMW-zGQw
Marijuana-seemorebuds
http://video.google.com SEARCH TITLE
Should Pennsylvania Legalize Marijuana?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqq2FgdWm_8
CASHING IN ON THE FAILED DRUG WAR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Feepw5jpea8
The Drug War’s Hidden Corporate Goldmine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRh2u1DvHcM
February 24th, 2009 at 12:01 am
This is coming outta San Francisco, they were the first to push for medical marijuana and decriminalization in 1996. I have a good feeling about Cali! history is repeating itself.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:22 am
This is wonderful news. Can you imagine a modern day gold rush again?! California is going to have a SERIOUS influx of tourists and new residents. Give it 5 years and they’ll be the richest state!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:22 am
I’ve read 110 comments about this and all of them are for it. The day I see pot legalized is as almost as likely as the day 110 people agreeing on anything. Wow! I’ve just seen the latter, so it must be time for the former.
If no one is against this…, what are we waiting for?
Also, $1 billion dollars is not the only money that we will gain by this. Millions will be saved in law enforcement, cops can concentrate on real crime, over-crowded prisons will benefit, etc., etc, etc.
Everybody wins! – But the Republicans will still try to defeat it. – Bet ya money!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:43 am
PRAISE JESUS!LEGAL FREEDOM AND SPIRITUAL FREEDOM IN THE SAME COUNTRY!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:58 am
If this passes, look for California to have a tenfold boom in tourism. I know I’ll be packing my bags.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:22 am
Keep the fiyah burning norml !
ill do my part, get up stand up, stand up for your right.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:07 am
I hope it passes I just know the governnator is going to try and stop it, being the hypocrite he is.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:12 am
Great! I hope this sets an example for the rest of the states. It will be a major success if this passes. I also disagree with the heavy excise, but that will be filtered out of the negotiations once everyone starts listening to reason.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:16 am
yummy
February 24th, 2009 at 2:18 am
This is really exciting, I am from and live in California. I never got a prescription for it because I stopped smoking a year before it was passed because I was busted with a pound and had to do probation for 3 years and several months home arrest. It scared me from doing it anymore so I never really bothered with it again, but I have always wanted to smoke again since then, I smoked for 10 years before that and I miss it! If this passes I’m going to smoke again! I can’t wait, I used to love it! omg I’m so excited about this you guys. Thank you Tom Ammiano for having the guts to do what no one else has ever done!
February 24th, 2009 at 2:32 am
Ya i so hope this bill will pass think of all the $ cal will rake in.
just hope the fed don’t cut off funding or pay state to stop this.
ppl from 49 other state’s will gas up and come and see cal and leave a ton of $$$$$ its a big win for cal like slot’s for nevada
February 24th, 2009 at 2:36 am
oh and just to add id pay 50 60 70 80 i dont care a ounce in tax $$ to smoke it legal i dont smoke it now it’s not legal but if i can get it at a store legal and enjoy at home legal i WOULD !!
February 24th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Sure hope this passes.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Cali lead the way.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:49 am
Wow, You mean the DEA will actually have to fight REAL criminals?????? OMG what a concept. Looks like their days of slacking off more than the innocent potheads they bust are over!!!!
February 24th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Will the law allow people to grow their own? If so, it will lessen the projected revenues
February 24th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Wow, I must say I am eagerly excited and impressed by this. Although I doubt it being passed (excuse my negativity here guys) but we have to realistic. Again, if any state were to legalize Cannabis it should and would be California.
Hope this bill makes it! Good luck and god bless.
February 24th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Only a few commenters recognize the absurdity of a $50 per ounce tax. This legislation, if passed, will keep cannabis at outrageously high black market prices, except now the government will be trying to rake in obscence amounts of money from this plant.
Cannabis is easier to grow than tobacco. A pack of cannabis cigs should cost no more than a pack of tobacco cigs, taxes included. Excessive taxation will create a reverse black market where it will be much cheaper to buy from an illegal, untaxed source. This has already happened with tobacco after the big jump in taxes several years ago. It will be an even bigger problem with hyper-taxed cannabis.
And what about the home-grower? Will we have to pay this outrageous tax, too? Will we be subject to inspections and assessments of $800 per seeding because it might produce, under the most ideal conditions, a pound of pot?
C’mon Paul, and the other NORML folks. Don’t jump on this bandwagon. It’s got big problems.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:02 am
How do we vote for this? Let’s do this people. Let them know how you feel! Legalize it and profit! Let’s get California back on it’s feet!
February 24th, 2009 at 8:09 am
This is great news. I am glad this is happening now with the economic crisis and everything, I be this will make other people more willing to accept it.
So if this passes, does this mean the cultivation of hemp is gonna be legal as well?
February 24th, 2009 at 8:52 am
everyone should write his or her local newspaper about this new bill lets get the word out we don’t want any votes not voted we are so close
February 24th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I think Tom chose the 50 dollar mark because that’s what it would take to generate the magic billion dollar mark in tax revenue.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Go Cali!
It’s about time!!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:05 am
That’s awesome guys! You Californians better get behind this, let your senators, congressmen, governors and mayors know that you support this! I’m only hoping New York will catch on as well! Good luck!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:12 am
This is great news… but in the end big brother still wins! That’s what they always wanted. To tax a little ol’ weed. But how could they do such a thing. By making it illegal first, then legalizing it. It’s all in the numbers, let’s see what happens on 4/20/09. Hopefully growing the healing herb in your own garden with fruits and vegetables will also be legal. -peace to all minds
February 24th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I agreed with 122 and 127 but my comment got deleted because I guess a negative comment as the number one comment was just too “in yer face with the realness”. I REALLY hope that it does pass, but I’m not expecting it to.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Hopefully this is a huge stepping stone in national legalization. Once the rest of the U.S. sees the dramatic impact this will have on California’s economy others will surely jump on it to help the rest of the U.S.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:33 am
The world is watching California. Please make the right decision and LEGALIZE IT!!!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:36 am
I’ve already sent my letters to my area’s elected officials. I currently have a medical pot prescription here in the California Sierra Nevada mountains. I’ve been advocating pot’s legalization since the late ’60s; have smoked pot DAILY since 1967, so this is HUGE!!! I think my 40+ years of pot activism are finally paying off!
If you live in California, and you’ve yet to e-mail your respective reps, here’s the link to the “Contact Officials in California Legislative Action Alert” page: http://capwiz.com/norml2/state/main/?state=CA
When you get there, type in your zip code, edit the letter as you wish, and SEND IT NOW!! Let’s MAKE THIS HAPPEN, PEOPLE! Stay High and Peace!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Pass it, Mr. Governator!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I’m moving to California in two years after I obtain my bachelors here in Texas. Hopefully by then all these laws will be straightened out and I will be able to smoke all I want with peace of mind.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:52 am
[...] Source: NORML Copyright: 2008 NORML Contact: Contact Us – NORML Website: NORML Blog Blog Archive NORML Breaking News: California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Tax An… __________________ 420 Magazine News Team Creating Cannabis Awareness Since 1993 [...]
February 24th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Tom Ammiano is an American hero. Finally someone is thinking rationally.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:28 am
the whole country should wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!this is way overdue.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:37 am
“A White House spokesman declined to discuss Ammiano’s legislation, instead pointing to a transition website that says the president “is not in favor of the legalization of marijuana.”
way to have our backs obama!
February 24th, 2009 at 11:49 am
California already has medical M.J. so if any state has a chance to pass such a measure it would have to be Cali. A state in the U.S. with “smart” drug laws would serve as an example to the rest of the Country.
The tax would seem a bit high to most but one has to consider it to still be a major step forward in ending the oppression.
Email or call your reps in Cali! It needs the people’s SUPPORT!!
February 24th, 2009 at 11:58 am
We need more rallys on the streets. The news media is not covering this as they should-no surprise. Join Norml or MPP if you havent already and slap some bumber stickers on your cars. Tom Ammiano is a bad ass and he needs our support! Huntington Beach,ca
February 24th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Here are some very applicable Niccolo Machiavelli quotes:
“Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.”
-Translation: I think this one is self explainable, now is a great opportunity to act.
“Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them they take vengeance, but if you injure them greatly they are unable to retaliate, so that the injury done to a man ought to be such that vengeance cannot be feared.”
-Translation: Tom Ammiano has done something we want and have tirelessly fought for. Let’s support him greatly and destroy any politician who opposes this legislation. So send thanks and support to Tom. Tell every other politician this is what you want and they should support it. Tell these politicians if they oppose this legislation you will do EVERYTHING in your power to ensure they never take office again. In the event it doesn’t pass, find out why and keep your promise.
“One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.”
-Translation: This will most definitely have a domino effect, we must get it passed.
“Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces. The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.”
-Translation: Now IS the time to act. If this passes it will change the world in great way, and the next time we get such an opportunity could be years. So act this very minute.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
[...] world of Spice Gold that I totally failed to notice that weed (actual plant-derived weed) might soon become legal in California. Not just for people with made up anxiety disorders but for everyone over 21, and not [...]
February 24th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Dieing for some more info on this bill, I’ll be watching the homepage closely NORML. Donate now! Do whatever it takes people, get this ball rolling!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Americans residing in the western parts of the country are more likely than those living elsewhere to support the legalization of marijuana.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/19561/Who-Supports-Marijuana-Legalization.aspx
February 24th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Great news!
But $50 an ounce is too high I won’t pay that much. $10 maybe, around $5 totally fair.
Remember we’re looking for justice not an altered form of extortion. If the excise tax is too high it will be ignored and the state will lose out on both excise and sales taxes.
Also if this law passes it could lead to increased penalties for growers in California. Cannabis laws are so week in Cali I’d rather be charged with them then get a tax evasion charge.
Another question is what protection is the state offering growers? State tax records would be great evidence in federal court! Is the idea California gets it’s money and you still go to jail? It seems paying the excise tax would in sure federal prosecution.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
i wish texas would do something this smart but know the lay off oil feild workers and distory peoples live go cali im moving texas sucks
February 24th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
If you live in California, take action. It’s important that there is as much support visible as possible.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
This is gonna be revolutianary if this happens
February 24th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Time for a road trip to Cali! See you soon my southern neighbor
February 24th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
This is in reply to some of the “naysayers,” in particular, comments made about the $50-per-ounce cultivation tax. I’ve lived in California most of my 59 years, and have been involved in pot advocacy since the late ’60s. When we first passed our medical pot law (Prop 215) in 1996, it took several years to “fine-tune” the law, adapting it along the way to the realities of enacting a state medical pot program.
First of all, medical pot users here will continue to be able to grow their own “medicine,” which is what I do. We won’t be affected by this bill, regardless of whether it passes or not.
Secondly, these “proposed” taxes would be levied on COMMERCIAL growers ONLY — the commercial growers produce hundreds of pounds of pot every year, and have LOBBIED for this very type of legislation, where they’re willing to pay taxes on their lucrative pot-growing incomes, in order to conduct their pot business in this state, “legally.”
As far as setting an “Adults 21 or older” caveat for this, I know we already DO have a drinking age of “21″ here, so what’s so upsetting about THIS age limitation? And think about it– this bill would have a VERY SLIM chance of passing WITHOUT the age criteria. By the way, we also have an age criteria on cigarette purchases (I think it’s “18″), so again, what’s the problem with the proposed “legal pot age”?
As a Californian, I’m doing everything I can to help it pass, because I think it’s a “win-win” situation for our state, and a “smart” solution for our state fiscal woes. If you live in CA, PLEASE show your support for it by e-mailing your elected officials via the link below. When you get there, type in your zip code, and your e-mail will be sent to your district’s representatives. Here’s the link:
“Contact Officials in California Legislative Action Alert” page: http://capwiz.com/norml2/state/main/?state=CA
February 24th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
regardless of the age limit etc it is still a definite step in the right direction. i really hope this passes
February 24th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!
February 24th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
About time!!!
February 24th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Remeber the change.org and the other web site where ending the war on pot and decriminlizing it was #1 or in the top 10? Did nothing ever come of that? I have a feeling the goverment already know what we want and the feds will just step in and tell Cali ” No”.
I hope it passes…
February 24th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I bet the Republicans are going to come up with some crazy lies like they always do to knock this proposal down. Its a great idea though. What are the cops going to arrest people for?
February 24th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
If this goes through, I might actually tear up a bit.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
GREEN JOBS FOR EVERYONE!!!!
February 24th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Great Article. Please share this great documentarly on marijuana prohibition: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9077214414651731007&ei=WUakSe6OF4_-qwKY9fxH&q=the+union&hl=en
February 24th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I have a small but possibly very significant suggestion for pro-cannabis action. It’s clear that the prohibitionists will never respect our preference, but some of them may respect our dollars. The Kellogg’s boycott is a good start, but hard to pull off, as some have noted, and it doesn’t quite show off the economic might of the cannabis consumer. Instead, let’s show them how strong we are through a simple but effective stealth campaign:
MARK EVERY DOLLAR!
You don’t have to spend your money any differently, just put a mark on every bill you get to show you support cannabis law reform. I’ll leave it to the internet hive-mind to come up with the mark. I thought perhaps “C = $” would be simple enough to get attention, while putting a doobie in George Washington’s mouth would pay tribute to his farming practices. I find the leaf is too hard to draw regularly, but if you like that, go for it. In the end, it doesn’t matter so much that we all use the same mark, but that every dollar we use gets marked.
The beauty of this campaign is that the message gets across while being covert. What, there’s a cannabis leaf on my bills? I got them like that…. they just seem to be showing up these days.
So I will be hitting the ATM these days, instead of using the card, and I’ll break out the ballpoint pen.
Let this go viral! Send to every stoner in California!!
February 24th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
this bill is exactly what is needed to stop the needless ruin of peoples lives over something that should have been dealt with years ago! thank you democrat ammiano for having the guts to face this issue with real perspective! let this bill pass and the rest of the states follow the lead of california!
February 24th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Its a new day for America, took a while but its finally here:)
February 24th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Makes me worried when I see people writing things like “guess I’m movin to Cali!”. You should not relocate somewhere to smoke drugs. We have enough people in California already we don’t need a massive exodus of stoners coming and pouring bong water into the gene pool.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I can’t wait 2 see all the new and different job trades Cali’s legalization of cannabis will create….good luck and show the other 49 states; with the exception of Hawaii( it’s like common law there); how it’s done. Way to go Cali-Forn-HIGH-A!!!
February 24th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
A $50 excise per ounce? So right off the bat, the cost is going to be more than $50 per ounce. Ok, so if an eighth costs $50 today (on the high side), then that’s about, $400 per ounce. that means that in order for this to work, Suppliers are going to have to lower their prices to less than $400 with the tax per ounce for anyone to buy weed legitimately. Is this possible? Yeah probably without the government looking over your shoulder, you probably have less costs, but really, how many medical pot suppliers are really doing that? Plus, we’re still going to have backyard growers not paying the tax, so they will actually be able to then undercut the tax paying farmers.
The best way to go is just to legalize it, that would save money in enforcement, and prison costs etc
February 24th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I’m all for full legalization but this bill SHOULD fail!
I appreciate the effort at common sense but without common sense it means nothing.
A $50 per ounce tax??That’s $800 per pound.
Why should an American farmer have to pay what the black market price already is?
Until marijuana is sold for what a dried weed is worth,the black market has no incentive to get out of the business.
Marijuana should cost a farmer no more than corn to grow,I have heard the figure $4 per pound.How about let the farmer get $100 per pound and a tax of $100 per pound…that works out to $12.50 per ounce.The retailer marks it up 100% to $25 per ounce with a state sales tax added…I could live with that.
BTW- regular mex where I live goes for $50 per oz right now.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
The only thing that none of you are looking at is this. If the government makes it legal your not going to be growing it yourself dudes.you’ll get it from a store that sells brand name joints, @ 10 dollars a piece, laced with chemicals. Which isnt much different that the hydro being pumped out by profitters. I on the other hand will NOT pay the tax on pot I grow. Its fuckin mine and Im not selling it! so i dont need to pay you. greedy fucks. yeah you tottally need to pay me for those vegitables you grew in your garden too. Legalization will never fly, decriminilization is a much better solution.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
I think $50 an ounce excise is a little harsh, but consider: You (the intrepid neo-dealer) grow 250 plants (micro-grows could be classified as grows between 100 and 500 plants) yielding somewhere between 3 to 5 ounces per plant. You could expect to yield between 800 to 1200 units per cycle. Your cost (including this ridiculous tax) should be around $54000 per cycle, and your profit (at a whopping $10 an ounce)not counting the $10 an hour you earn 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, should average $2200.
I think Ammiano got a little ahead of himself. The appropriate amount per ounce should be no more than $10 an ounce. At that amount, you can ensure that there will be a much lower number of people trying to grow their own. Here in Oregon, lame beer has a very finite market due to the fact that a great number of us have taken to brewing our own. The only way the commercial market could compete with the quality of the beer we were brewing for ourselves was to buy microbreweries and sell their products cheaper than we could.
The only way to keep the public from selling black-market home-grown hydro is to make the chronic on the shelf just as good, but at half the price!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Allison Weaver
I appreciate your efforts but marijuana should cost no more than pipe tobacco.And back in the 60’s Californians used to brag about $5 ounces…why should an ounce cost that much more now?It’s just a plant,it doesn’t cost hundreds of times more to grow it now than it did then.
This bill is like telling a home brewer he has to get a license and pay twice the retail bottle price for every bottle he makes.There will still be a black market,blowing away a major argument from reformers that legalization would end the black market as fast as repeal of prohibition did.When alcohol was re-legalized the price dropped dramatically back down to what it was actually worth.I hope this is not NORML’s idea of “free the weed”.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
The news media will never cover this issue. They’d rather focus on issues that are so important to us, such as lowering the drinking age to 18? Please, give me a break!?. Is that really going to curtail the amount of binge drinking done on college campuses? The amount of hypocrisy that the media and everything else entails is astounding. Have some sense for once, stop the damn prohibition on a completely harmless substance. End the pursecution of none violent drug offenders! End the Drug crime on the mexican border! I will never smoke MJ from mexico, it is laced with karmic blood! Its a moral issue. I will NEVER and i mean NEVER vote for anyone democrat or republican as long as people are persecuted for exercising their own free will in using MJ as an alternative to big pharma meds. Its just WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG
February 24th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
But will the Governator sign it into law?
Ozlanthos: $10 profit an oz are you kidding? The first few oz a grower sells pretty much pays the costs of the whole crop, he can sell each pound for 2500 plus the 50 an oz tax sooo 3300 a pound.. still a decent price considering (using your lower number of 3 oz a plant) he’s got 46.8 pounds (we’ll say 47 to make it easy) that means before the 50 an oz tax he’s raking in $117,187.50 per cycle, he can have lets say 4 cycles a year (one month veg, two flower) so $468,750 a year. He’ll be paying $150,400 in taxes so his net profit is $318,350. Not too bad for an “intrepid neo-dealer” and a shit load more than $10 an oz profit, I dunno how the hell you came up with that number.
Of course all that is if the price of cannabis remains artificially high, an average $2500 a pound. I would like to see that number drop significantly but I’m afraid that the ridiculous taxes states (and eventually, the Federal government) levy against cannabis will keep the price up there. But of course with more production comes more profit so maybe the growers and corporations will keep oz prices super low, only making a hundred bucks or so an oz and just grow a ton instead to offset the difference. That’s my .02
Legalize it, and I will advertise it.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:00 am
ChronJohn
No,I’m not kidding at all and if a store was making $10 per oz profit on oregano it would be quite happy.
$3000 per pound is legalized rape.It’s a weed!It does not cost anywhere near that to grow.This sets a bad precedent for the whole country and at that outragious price does absolutely nothing to cut out the black market.
If NORML doesn’t step in and do something about this,I will no longer support NORML.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:40 am
How do they propose to regulate the sale when all one has to do is throw a few seeds in the garden and remember to water it? It doesn’t require a still, isn’t as particular as nicotine is with growing conditions and, really, the only thing one would need is papers or pipe for ingestion. Yes, this poor little plant needs to be legal but does anyone see the government legalizing something that would take away from alcohol sales and taxes?
February 25th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I just went to the store and bought 1.37 ozs of oregano…for $1.
I assume there is some cost to growing,harvesting,processing and shipping of this plant…and yet by the time it hits the shelf,my cost is a dollar.
It seems to me that many in the reform movement are going for the first flashy thing to come their way.This is a bad bill,although it has good intent it’s all about dollar signs in the govts eyes with no regard for the consumer…and again,it will not stop the black market.As if the govt is saying OK,we’ll give you your weed but you’re going to pay out the ass for it.We don’t have to take that!
Marijuana is a dried plant and should be grown, sold and taxed the same as any other dried plant and the private market should determine the price and pay fair taxes accordingly.
There is no reason marijuana could not be handled the same as pipe tobacco.
February 25th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
what more can we do to help this cause?
this is the best idea i have ever heard
February 25th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
yes great news but theres 49 states that need to do the same
February 25th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
[...] California NORML Report by Dale Gieringer, Ph.D. – Updated Feb. 2009 Marijuana Legalization Could Yield California Taxpayers Over $1.2 Billion Per Year Additional Spinoff Benefits Up To $12 -$18 Billion While California struggles to address the state’s swelling budget deficit, the legalization of marijuana looms as an attractive way of raising revenue for the state. California NORML estimates that a legally regulated market for marijuana could yield the state at least $1.2 billion in tax revenues and reduced enforcement costs. A basic $50/ounce excise tax (roughly $1/joint) would yield about $770 – 900 million per year plus another $240-360 million in sales taxes. In addition, the state would save over $170 million in enforcement costs for arrests, prosecutions and prison. Additional benefits would accrue from increased employment and spinoff industries. Total retail sales of marijuana could be on the order of $3-$5 billion, with total economic impact of $12-$18 billion including spinoff industries such as coffeehouses, tourism, plus industrial hemp. California NORML’s analysis of the benefits of marijuana legalization are as follows: * An excise tax of $50 per ounce of marijuana would raise about $770 – 900 million per year. * Retail sales on the legal market would range from $3 – $4.5 billion, generating another $240 – 360 million in sales taxes. * Legalization would save over $170 million in law enforcement costs for arrest, prosecution, trial and imprisonment of marijuana offenders. Need for CAMP helicopter surveillance would also be eliminated. * Based on experience with the cigarette tax, total revenues of $1.5 – $2.5 billion might ultiimately be realized. * Based on experience with the wine industry, the total economic activity generated by legal marijuana could be nearly four times as great as retail sales, around $12 – $18 billion. Amsterdam-style coffeehouses would generate jobs and tourism. If the marijuana industry were just one-third the size of the wine industry, it would generate 50,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in wages, along with additional income and business tax revenues for the state. * Industrial hemp could also become a major business, comparable to the $3.4 billion cotton industry in California. Details of California NORML’s analysis follow below. Revenue from Taxation of Legal Marijuana: (A) Consumption: More than 1.95 million Californians Continued at link. Benefits of Marijuana Legalization in California The NORML website is here: NORML Blog Blog Archive NORML Breaking News: California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Tax An… [...]
February 25th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Sounds great, but answer these questions.
What good is legalization on a state level If it’s still illegal federally?
Is California going to refuse to hand over tax records to the feds?
If so on what legal grounds can they make such a refusal?
If I owe state taxes don’t I also owe federal taxes?
Why won’t the feds use my tax records as basis for a warrant and then as proof of a on going criminal enterprise?
Will we need to get commercial growing license?
What will it cost?
Where will we be able to grow what zoning restrictions will apply?
As a product intended for human consumption how can legalization go forward with out FDA approval.
If the state goes forward with out FDA approval won’t the state open it self up to law suits by consumers who claim injuries from an unregulated drug?
If the state comes up with it’s own standards what will the be?
Will anyone want to smoke weed designed by comity?
Once a commercial weed industry exists won’t the state move to shut down noncommercial growers that compete with tax generating commercial growers?
I believe if this law passes it will lead to more arrest not less. The feds will use our tax records to go after us, if we don’t pay the tax the state will go after us for tax evasion.
February 25th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
This is very important, please read and forward to everyone you know and send it to your local government officials:
California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano must be impeached!
I am a concerned Californian and we need your help. We need to stop California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano from legalizing marijuana. We are the United States of America and we need to stand together and tell Tom Ammiano “No”! This is “The War on Drugs” we have lost many people to our struggle and Tom Ammiano wants to be the weak chain in our struggle to fight this problem.
Legalizing marijuana as alcohol or cigarettes is misleading and destructive. Tom Ammiano is our potential current day loaded gun in this society, taking out those few who resist drugs because they trust our government to make illegal what is harmful. There is no family untouched by our drug crisis. We are in a recession people are desperate and depressed, legalizing marijuana especially now is detrimental to our struggle and realities, because:
1. Obesity will increase, because marijuana makes the stomach lining bleed, and the rippling down of the blood in the stomach gives a feeling of hunger. Therefore it is likely that the obesity rates and related illnesses will go up.
2. Health Care for a larger obese groups will increase therefore increasing health insurance costs, likely adding to our tax burdens.
3. Gout and other nasty illnesses are also associated with these populations and that is another costly problem for us the tax payers.
4. Marijuana is a mind altering substance which means that driving privileges should be revoked for people who purchase marijuana.
5. Marijuana is also a mutagenic, the mutating features of marijuana store in the bodies fatty tissue such as the brain, ovaries in woman, and testes of men and can be released at anytime coming to haunt dotting parents as they see that their baby got the “marijuana-freak-baby-lottery”.
6. Increases in birth defects will cost all of us a lot of money in increased taxes to help the insurance companies provide help for the defected children.
7. Increases in prenatal care for all to compensate for a growing special health care needs.
8. Marijuana for medical reasons is one thing, allow people to die with less pain or fight to live, but they take the risks.
9. Crime, people do more crimes when they are under the influence of mind altering substances. Marijuana is a mind altering substance and allowing it to be used for anything other than a prescribed medical purpose is irresponsible and dangerous.
There are several of our Government representatives and law enforcement officers that are here to protect us from the effects of drugs, Tom Ammiano is not one of them. His short sighted views may lead to immediate problems that we will face on a daily basis on the streets and in our homes. Increased in medical costs, increase in health care costs, increase in taxes to care for mutated children, a growing obesity population, increase in crime for people who never used drugs before due to being under the influence of a mind altering substance. California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano must be impeached!
We believe in prevention as the biggest cost saver, legalizing marijuana is asking for more taxes, more expenses and a more dangerous society with increases in crime.
Medical use of marijuana is a totally different subject than allowing good people to be mislead by their government like Tom Ammiano. I say that we impeach California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano for being the weak chain on our war on drugs and set him as an example for all those who want to legalize marijuana like alcohol or cigarettes. We have enough problems we don’t need Tom Ammiano making our lives worse, and spitting in the face of our police officers who put their lives on the line to keep us safe from drugs and the resulting crime.
Lets re strengthen our Chain and Impeach California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano. Support those who fight the war on drugs and tell Tom Ammiano “NO” we don’t want to legalize marijuana like alcohol and cigarettes.
‘Assemblyman Ammiano said. “California has the opportunity to be the first state in the nation to enact a smart, responsible public policy for the control and regulation of marijuana.”’ http://blog.norml.org/2009/02/23/norml-breaking-news-california-assemblyman-introduces-legislation-to-tax-and-regulate-marijuana-like-alcohol/
California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Tax And Regulate …
Feb 24, 2009 … I would rather have some “addicted” to marijuana then alcohol. … Too weird to live, and too rare to die.” Stockton is online now …
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?p=37540585 – Similar pages
California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation to Tax And Regulate …
Speaking at a landmark press conference today, California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced comprehensive legislation to tax and regulate …
http://www.propeller.com/story/2009/02/24/california-assemblyman-introduces-legislation-to-tax-and-regulate-marijuana-like-alcohol/ – Similar pages
February 25th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
This is very important, please read and forward to everyone you know and send it to your local government officials:
California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano must be impeached!
I am a concerned Californian and we need your help. We need to stop California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano from legalizing marijuana. We are the United States of America and we need to stand together and tell Tom Ammiano “No”! This is “The War on Drugs” we have lost many people to our struggle and Tom Ammiano wants to be the weak chain in our struggle to fight this problem.
Legalizing marijuana as alcohol or cigarettes is misleading and destructive. Tom Ammiano is our potential current day loaded gun in this society, taking out those few who resist drugs because they trust our government to make illegal what is harmful. There is no family untouched by our drug crisis. We are in a recession people are desperate and depressed, legalizing marijuana especially now is detrimental to our struggle and realities, because:
1. Obesity will increase, because marijuana makes the stomach lining bleed, and the rippling down of the blood in the stomach gives a feeling of hunger. Therefore it is likely that the obesity rates and related illnesses will go up.
2. Health Care for a larger obese groups will increase therefore increasing health insurance costs, likely adding to our tax burdens.
3. Gout and other nasty illnesses are also associated with these populations and that is another costly problem for us the tax payers.
4. Marijuana is a mind altering substance which means that driving privileges should be revoked for people who purchase marijuana.
5. Marijuana is also a mutagenic, the mutating features of marijuana store in the bodies fatty tissue such as the brain, ovaries in woman, and testes of men and can be released at anytime coming to haunt dotting parents as they see that their baby got the “marijuana-freak-baby-lottery”.
6. Increases in birth defects will cost all of us a lot of money in increased taxes to help the insurance companies provide help for the defected children.
7. Increases in prenatal care for all to compensate for a growing special health care needs.
8. Marijuana for medical reasons is one thing, allow people to die with less pain or fight to live, but they take the risks.
9. Crime, people do more crimes when they are under the influence of mind altering substances. Marijuana is a mind altering substance and allowing it to be used for anything other than a prescribed medical purpose is irresponsible and dangerous.
There are several of our Government representatives and law enforcement officers that are here to protect us from the effects of drugs, Tom Ammiano is not one of them. His short sighted views may lead to immediate problems that we will face on a daily basis on the streets and in our homes. Increased in medical costs, increase in health care costs, increase in taxes to care for mutated children, a growing obesity population, increase in crime for people who never used drugs before due to being under the influence of a mind altering substance. California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano must be impeached!
We believe in prevention as the biggest cost saver, legalizing marijuana is asking for more taxes, more expenses and a more dangerous society with increases in crime.
Medical use of marijuana is a totally different subject than allowing good people to be mislead by their government like Tom Ammiano. I say that we impeach California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano for being the weak chain on our war on drugs and set him as an example for all those who want to legalize marijuana like alcohol or cigarettes. We have enough problems we don’t need Tom Ammiano making our lives worse, and spitting in the face of our police officers who put their lives on the line to keep us safe from drugs and the resulting crime.
Lets re strengthen our Chain and Impeach California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano. Support those who fight the war on drugs and tell Tom Ammiano “NO” we don’t want to legalize marijuana like alcohol and cigarettes.
‘Assemblyman Ammiano said. “California has the opportunity to be the first state in the nation to enact a smart, responsible public policy for the control and regulation of marijuana.”’ http://blog.norml.org/2009/02/23/norml-breaking-news-california-assemblyman-introduces-legislation-to-tax-and-regulate-marijuana-like-alcohol/
California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Tax And Regulate …
Feb 24, 2009 … I would rather have some “addicted” to marijuana then alcohol. … Too weird to live, and too rare to die.” Stockton is online now …
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?p=37540585 – Similar pages
California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation to Tax And Regulate …
Speaking at a landmark press conference today, California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced comprehensive legislation to tax and regulate …
http://www.propeller.com/story/2009/02/24/california-assemblyman-introduces-legislation-to-tax-and-regulate-marijuana-like-alcohol/ – Similar pages
February 25th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
This is a huge step, potentially, for the decriminalization of our medicine. Listen people…Arnold has gone on record that he does not oppose marijuana use, recreational or medicinal. This law has a very good chance of passing, with the support of the people of California. Write your local congressmen and women!!! Because if this law passes, then President Obama must take a stance on the contradiction of federal law. In times of crisis, passing up a billion dollar payday for one of our most troubled states will be next to impossible, especially if the people of that state support the measure. In short, the end is near if a few chips fall in place! So get off your coaches, pick up your phones, your pads and pens and lets free California! It will lead to domino effect that will free the country from marijuana prohibition.
February 25th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
It’s about time!
Please give support!
February 25th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
HOW IRONIC CANNABIS MIGHT AGAIN BECOME LEGAL HERE BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DWINDLING ACCESS TO ITS DRUG OF CHOICE, WHICH IS OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY. THE GOVERNMENT IS HOPLESSLY ADDICTED TO THIS DRUG, WHICH IT MUST HAVE TO PURSUE ITS ACTIVITY OF CHOICE, WHICH IS RUNNING OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES. THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS RIGHT, “…LAW IS OFTEN BUT THE TYRANT’S WILL, AND ALWAYS SO WHEN IT VIOLATES THE RIGHT OF AN INDIVIDUAL.” I AM AN AMERICAN PATRIOT AND HAVE THE COURAGE TO LIVE MY LIFE AS I SEE FIT, AGAIN AS PER JEFFERSON, “…WITHIN LIMITS DRAWN AROUND US BY THE EQUAL RIGHTS OF OTHERS.” THE WORST CASE SCENARIOS FEARED ABOUT RE-LEGALIZATION ARE NOT AS BAD AS THE BEST CASE OF THE NIGHTMARE WE’RE ALLOWING GOVERNMENT TO NOW FORCE UPON US. AND FOR FOLKS WHO THINK SINCE THEY DON’T USE CANNABIS OR GIVE A DAMN ABOUT POT SMOKERS, THEY DON’T HAVE A DOG IN THIS FIGHT, THINK AGAIN, UNLESS YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT YOUR FREEDON AND LIBERTY. IF I DON’T AT LEAST TRY TO SAY AND DO SOMETHING WHEN THEY COME FOR MY NEIGHBOR, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THEY COME FOR ME TOO. MAY GOD FORGIVE AND SAVE US ALL.
February 25th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
HOW IRONIC CANNABIS MIGHT AGAIN BECOME LEGAL HERE BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DWINDLING ACCESS TO ITS DRUG OF CHOICE, WHICH IS OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY. THE GOVERNMENT IS HOPLESSLY ADDICTED TO THIS DRUG, WHICH IT MUST HAVE TO PURSUE ITS ACTIVITY OF CHOICE, WHICH IS RUNNING OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES. THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS RIGHT, “…LAW IS OFTEN BUT THE TYRANT’S WILL, AND ALWAYS SO WHEN IT VIOLATES THE RIGHT OF AN INDIVIDUAL.” I AM AN AMERICAN PATRIOT AND HAVE THE COURAGE TO LIVE MY LIFE AS I SEE FIT, AGAIN AS PER JEFFERSON, “…WITHIN LIMITS DRAWN AROUND US BY THE EQUAL RIGHTS OF OTHERS.” THE WORST CASE SCENARIOS FEARED ABOUT RE-LEGALIZATION ARE NOT AS BAD AS THE BEST CASE OF THE NIGHTMARE WE’RE ALLOWING GOVERNMENT TO NOW FORCE UPON US. AND FOR FOLKS WHO THINK SINCE THEY DON’T USE CANNABIS OR GIVE A DAMN ABOUT POT SMOKERS, THEY DON’T HAVE A DOG IN THIS FIGHT, THINK AGAIN, UNLESS YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT YOUR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY. IF I DON’T AT LEAST TRY TO SAY AND DO SOMETHING WHEN THEY COME FOR MY NEIGHBOR, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THEY COME FOR ME TOO. MAY GOD FORGIVE AND SAVE US ALL.
February 25th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I live in CA… who should I be calling to show my support for this bill?
February 25th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Whether it passes or not thanks Tom for having the courage to stand up and do the right thing.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
You can go to ABC TV channel 7 (So.Cal. news station) and read the comments regarding Ammiano’s bill AB 390 and to show support for it by commenting. If enough people go there and put comments favoring AB 390 maybe the station will mention it on air, who knows. http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/state&id=6675213
February 25th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
http://digg.com/political_opinion/Legalize_Marijua …
Digg it up. Let’s start a movement.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
RE-LEGALIZE CANNABIS NOW!!
February 25th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
As someone who gave up smoking pot for a career in law enforcement, I think this is a great idea. Yeah, obviously if it’s done, the government is strictly in it for a revenue source, so of course they’re going to try to get as much cash as possible to encourage legal consumption. If the tax is too high, then the black market will prevail and nothing is gained in terms of revenue. I suspect the tax amount is hoped to be the fiscal “sweet spot” just below that amount.
However, I know a LOT of professionals who would be delighted to pay a premium if it’s from a legal, reputable source, and I’m sure the proposal is counting on that market to expand quite a bit.
February 26th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Bravo; California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano! Finally, a common sense bill. Where else is the money going to come from to pay for the programs needed to turn this country around? The President’s plan is sound but how will we pay for it? $1.2 Billion can buy Comprehensive Education and Treatment Programs which will be the answer to detractor’s fears. If representatives don’t have a better plan to raise the money to save this country, I strongly suggest they be the first in their state to introduce a like bill; FEAR of the unknown is not a good enough reason to oppose such legislation at a time like this. Come on Floridians get the ball rolling, contact your representatives; here they are:
Florida’s US Senators
US Senator Mel Martinez (R)
US Senator Bill Nelson (D)
US House Representatives for the State of Florida
• Jeff Miller (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 1st Congressional District
• Allen Boyd (D) – US Representative for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District
• Corrine Brown (D) – US Representative for Florida’s 3rd Congressional District
• Ander Crenshaw (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 4th Congressional District
• Ginny Brown-Waite (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 5th Congressional District
• Cliff Stearns (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 6th Congressional District
• John Mica (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 7th Congressional District
• Alan Grayson (D) – US Representative for Florida’s 8th Congressional District
• Gus Bilirakis (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 9th Congressional District
• Bill Young (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 10th Congressional District
• Kathy Castor (D) – US Representative for Florida’s 11th Congressional District
• Adam Putnam (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 12th Congressional District
• Vern Buchanan (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 13th Congressional District
• Connie Mack (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 14th Congressional District
• Bill Posey (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 15th Congressional District
• Tom Rooney (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 16th Congressional District
• Kendrick Meek (D) – US Representative for Florida’s 17th Congressional District
• Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 18th Congressional District
• Robert Wexler (D) – US Representative for Florida’s 19th Congressional District
• Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) – US Representative for Florida’s 20th Congressional District
• Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 21st Congressional District
• Ron Klein (D) – US Representative for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District
• Alcee Hastings (D) – US Representative for Florida’s 23rd Congressional District
• Suzanne Kosmas (D) – US Representative for Florida’s 24th Congressional District
• Mario Diaz-Balart (R) – US Representative for Florida’s 25th Congressional District
February 26th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Assemblyman Roger Niello will never ever be elected again. He refuses to vote yes on AB 390. Too many elderly folks suffer from chronic pain they can’t afford the high cost of medical marijuana. The evidence are the residents of Laguna Woods, Cal. many suffer night and day with chronic pain they are telling their kids and grandkids that politicians unwilling to release the past and embrace new idea’s for change in the 21st century are to be left behind politically. Their legacy will be as oppressors of the elderly, at the very least.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:52 am
I’m going to be “straight up”, with you people, because I don’t have anything to loose. BTW, is American With A Brain, #213, serious? … my goodness! Anyway, all of the stories that I can tell, about the effects of pot are about my friends and I smoking some pot and, afterward, jamming out, on some kick-ass tunes, or, afterward, having a cigarette and feeling all warm and fuzzy, inside. But, all of the stories that I can tell, about the effects of alcohol are about my friends and I drinking entirely too much alcohol and, afterward, getting arrested for public intoxication and spending the next week in county jail or, afterward, blacking out, at the wheel, and totaling my car. Why don’t they introduce a bill that would replace alcohol with marijuana, in the marketplace, because it is a safer alternative?
February 26th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Oops! … spelling error.
February 27th, 2009 at 12:10 am
If Chuck DeVore does not vote Yes on Assembly Bill 390 he will loose to Barbra Boxer in 2010. Too many California residents/voters believe in this bill to simply blow it off this time as flaky voters wanting something that he’s feeling paternal about. In fact any California Assemblymen that do not vote Yes on Assembly Bill 390 will probably be left behind in their next attempt to be elected. This new generation of voters has arrived in California and they take their issues more serious than previous generations. Unfortunately there will be many 20th Century minded politicians from all parties that will be left behind. With only 1 year till the next Sen. elections this Bill 390 issue will be fresh on their minds and if they see their constituents failing them they won’t forget it. Tell Chuck to Vote Yes on AB 390 here: http://www.youtube.com/user/devore4ca
February 27th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Think of this
1.3 billion dollars in tax alone from cali at 50$ an ounce
an ounce is 400$
so 1.3 x 8 is over 11 billion dollars of weed
1,300,000,000
thats about 300,000,000 ounces of weed
each plant produces about 2 ounces of weed
150,000,000 plants will greatly reduce carbon footprint
all thos plants take farmers, and the farmers buy land and cars and things with their money, this will jump start the economy no matter what
my brother just graduated as a teacher at UF and i have smoked pot from the 10th grade, tell me how that is destructive, me on the other hand fucked up beacuse of drinking to much. And ive seen even rich girls and goodie girls get trashed and make all sorts of bad decions just beacuse they got drunk one night, and that is encourged WTF
February 27th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Is there any update on how this bill is holding up and when it might be getting voted on? With the end to state medical dispensaries by the Justice Department, it seems like it could effect the debates greatly.
Then again, I may be wrong.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Ummmm…this makes too much sense…what country are we in? America! It can’t be…
February 28th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
all rightt!!!
its about time that marijuana is legalized.
anyone who smokes knows how much “safer” marijuana is than alcohol.
gv
March 1st, 2009 at 2:35 pm
considering the state of the global economy and the viral knowledge delivering power of the internet….
it sure seems like the time is now to accelerate the cause of legalizing cannabis and hemp across the globe by 2010.
alcohol and tobacco do so much more harm to individuals and families than cannabis consumption does.
we will not be bullied by tree/paper, alcohol, tobacco, and religious lobbyists any longer.
free the plants.
March 1st, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I dont even live in in Cali , but I thinks they be taxin the Hell out of your grass man $50.00 ? Should be taxed the same as tobacco or alcohol! Why should our product be OVERTAXED like no other product ? Go Cali ,Ill believe it when I see it !
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:50 am
LOL @ #212 and #213.
Good luck California!
Email and send letters to your senators and legislators!
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
hmmm i notice nearly all the people posting here remain annonamous. this tells me you probably have never written many letters to representatives. this explains why the dark ages have gone on so long. years ago workplace drug testing drove me straight into the office of my senator for a one on one. i felt like he respected me when i left..
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:03 pm
With all of us pulling together this can & WILL become a reality. Let’s work these corrupt politicians so hard that they have no choice but to Legalize & Decriminalize!
The best angle is to re-educate people on the uses of Hemp. The Facts, not the myths about smoking Cannbis. And simply comparing tobacco & marijuana and asking why is smoking one green leafy plant legal and the other a crime? Reminding people that “drugs” are man-made and bad for you… while Cannabis is Natural (God-made) and provides pain relief, etc…
Pro-Cannabis & Pro-Hemp Designs on T-shirts, Sweaters, Bumper Stickers, Wall Clocks, Calendars & More! http://www.cafepress.com/peaceNfreedom/6097457
Peace & Love
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:37 pm
when will they decide if this bill passes or not does anyone know
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I say let it happen first before you start knocking it. If they put a tax stamp requirement in place, you will have to pay the same taxes as any grower would have to pay. If you don’t pay your taxes on what you grow, then you go to jail. Yes you could sneak and grow, but why risk jail for breaking the tax laws. Will many do it? Yes! Will many get caught? Yes! Will all get caught? NO! Many will grow and get away with it as they do now. Me myself, I would be more than happy to pay $60.00 an ounce!!! Where can you get an ounce at now for just $60.00??? We are paying double that now, so half price and legal too!!! Bring it on!!! If I can pick up an ounce of premium buds at the local 7-11—for $60.00—PINCH ME–I MUST BE DREAMING!!!!! To swing in and pick up a single joint of your choice of flavor/kind for less than a six pack. AWESOME!!! I’ll take a SKUNKY BLUE HAZEL single please. That will be $2.19 Thank you and have a great day!!!
—Come to think of it, throw in a 6 pack of VALUE PETE’S BEST TOPS. That’ will be a total of $2.19 for the single, + $7.49 for the six pack for a total of $9.68. SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I hope my T.V. money helps. I also have sent emails in, letters in, and have asked friends and family to do the same. Please, dont just stand on the side lines, get your hands dirty and get involved.
March 4th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
im on the fence fence with this legalization…..even if it is taxed and licensed im sure employers will still consider it a reason not to hire.
March 4th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
How Do We Support This!!!??
This guy needs every one of us to actively support this incredibly bold action!!
He faces total political and social ousting if this doesn’t pass.
NOW IS THE TIME! To unite all our strengths! ´
Remember the whole country is going to be watching! This will be the poster child for marihuana legalization either way (good or bad)
OMG never thought this moment would come.
WE MUST UNITE!
Please I need information on how to support this!
Contact me at: rosalinaarroz@hotmail.com
March 4th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
history in the making, let’s make it happen, come on!!! i want to be able to tell my kids about this lol!
March 5th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Gavin…wake up! Say Yes to A.B. 390
Tell San Fransisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to support Assembly Bill 390 if he want’s your vote for California Governor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mprgnhi_Q-s&feature=channel_page Currently he has stated he will not support legalization and taxing of marijuana in California. Get the word out!
March 7th, 2009 at 3:09 am
WOW! What can i say that already hasn’t been said? I guess this, it’s cool that Cali is finaly breaking the ground on this but what about the people’s jobs? If this passes is there something in the bill that prevents employers from testing and firing those people that fail the tests. Don’t get me wrong I love to smoke as much as the next person but what good is it going to do if you still have the possiblity of losing your job? Good Luck Cali, I’m rooting for you.
March 8th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
FANTASTIC! Things are about to be the way they should of been all along. The people uniting is helping tremendously and lets not forget to thank Bush for running the economy into the ground. GO CALIFORNIA! I hope Texas is next.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Finally, someone with some kind of sense in government. I guess the fact that marijuana from the Emerald Triangle is so important to the California economy he had to do something.
March 9th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I hope they do legalize it, please!!!!!! I use to smoke, but was tired of being paranoid, now all I do is drink to make up for the loss and have gained 40 lbs, do shit at night I have no clue about (screaming and such). When I smoked I lost all the weight, now I started drinking again and put on 40lbs. Much safer to smoke, don’t wake up and scream at things I have no clue about until my gf tells me about the next morning, if anything weed should be legalized and alcohol banned, causes liver cancer and other crazy shit. I was the nicest person on weed, not some crazy angry drunk.
March 10th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
yes IOWA
March 11th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Number 250, Mike.
The same thing applies to me. The concern over being busted and going to jail has stopped me from partaking. The only recourse is alcohol and it doesn’t agree with me either.
Sigh …….
March 12th, 2009 at 2:53 am
How can we help make this bill pass?
March 14th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Keep reading NORML Lapaul.
Join NORML and donate even it’s a small amount.
Send emails to your government “leaders”.
Send encouraging emails to California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco).
Most of all, keep the faith.
March 17th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
ur fuckin stupid “american with a brain” there will be no difference in the amount of people that smoke because everyone already smokes anyways. weed doesnt make you fat either, i know so many people that smoke every day and eat a lot and are hella skinny. and driving while high? its no different than alchohol. well, actually it is because drunk drivers kill people and high drivers dont, ive seen it. so fuk u and legalize it!!!
March 17th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
this would be so awesome if it passed
April 27th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I hope so much this happens but even if it does fail and its close enough then that will still show that this is a legitamate arguement and more people will be looking into it. If more and more people learn the truths about weed then we’ll get more people on our side, remember they had to lie there ass off to get weed illegal alls we have to do is spread the truth. And as for the 50 dollar tax i think that the people growing the best will be selling so much there mark up per ounce will go down quite a bit im sure it’ll be cheaper than it is now.
LEGALIZE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 3rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
This is all fine and dandy, just one problem I see though. How many of us have smoked while we drank…not a good combo. We won’t have a way to test drivers who might be under the influence. Mixed with other substances, I don’t know, sounds kinda scary to me.
July 7th, 2009 at 5:33 am
Hell yea california thats why im glad im from there! and hell yea ganjlover, Fuck you American with a brain obviously your against this because you probably have never done it so you dont really know what the hell your talking about in the first place. I find it funny how contradicting you are. You talk about how its a mind altering substance and that people will go kill each other when on it, which is completely ignorant of you to say because first, who is going to hurt or kill someone when high according to u it makes u lazy. I got a task for you “american with a brain” watch a documentary for me called The Union and find out what the statistic is for deaths per year affiliated with smoking weed and you might be surprised what the top 5 hell top 10 killers are in our world. The documentary also shows how your perceptions about the “so called” drug are completely wrong and proves it with actual facts and studies. Its a fucking weed…an herb! Studies have shown that weed can actually stimulate brain cells and aid people in so many ways i cant name them all and this is all with NO GOVERNMENT ADDITIVES!! How can you reject that especially when you really know nothing about it, that is just being close minded and ignorant.
LEGALIZE THE HERB!!!!