NORML Breaking News: California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Tax And Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol
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February 23, 2009
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.”
261 Responses to “NORML Breaking News: California Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Tax And Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol”
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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!
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”.
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
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.
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.
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?
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.
what more can we do to help this cause?
this is the best idea i have ever heard
yes great news but theres 49 states that need to do the same
[...] 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… [...]
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.
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
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
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.
It’s about time!
Please give support!
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.
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.
I live in CA… who should I be calling to show my support for this bill?
Whether it passes or not thanks Tom for having the courage to stand up and do the right thing.
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
http://digg.com/political_opinion/Legalize_Marijua …
Digg it up. Let’s start a movement.
RE-LEGALIZE CANNABIS NOW!!
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.
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
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.
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?
Oops! … spelling error.
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
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
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.
Ummmm…this makes too much sense…what country are we in? America! It can’t be…
all rightt!!!
its about time that marijuana is legalized.
anyone who smokes knows how much “safer” marijuana is than alcohol.
gv
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.
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 !
LOL @ #212 and #213.
Good luck California!
Email and send letters to your senators and legislators!
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..
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
when will they decide if this bill passes or not does anyone know
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
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.
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
history in the making, let’s make it happen, come on!!! i want to be able to tell my kids about this lol!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
yes IOWA
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 …….