BALLOT WATCH: PROPOSITION 19

Should California Legalize Marijuana Beyond Current Medical Use to
Permit All Adults 21 and Over to Use and Possess Pot?

Fourteen years ago, when California voters passed Proposition 215 the
"Compassionate Use Act," legalizing marijuana for medical use, they
opened the door to a thriving marijuana economy in the Golden State.
California cities brim with dispensaries serving marijuana users who
have physicians' recommendations to treat their ailments with pot.
Proposition 19 would permit marijuana for recreational use and likely
significantly expand the legal marijuana market in a state whose
annual marijuana crop legal and illicit is valued at nearly $14
billion. California would become the first state in the nation to
legalize pot, though it would still be at odds with federal law.

What It Would Do

Authorize adults age 21 and over to possess, share or transport up to
1 ounce of marijuana.

Allow them to cultivate marijuana in a 5-by-5-foot growing space - or
25 square feet - per private residence or parcel.

Allow local governments to tax and regulate commercial marijuana
activities, including cultivation, processing, distribution and sales.

Allow local governments to authorize higher possession limits than
the 1-ounce standard.

Leave intact state laws imposing penalties of up to seven years in
prison for adults 18 and over who furnish marijuana to minors under 14.

Impose penalties of up to six months in county jail and $1,000 fines
for adults 21 and over who furnish marijuana to people over 18 but under 21.

What It Would Cost - Proponents tout a much-publicized estimate by
the state Board of Equalization last year that said legalizing pot
could generate as much as $1.4 billion for the cash-strapped state.
But that was based in part on a $50-per-ounce marijuana tax proposed
in legislation. No such tax is specified in Proposition 19. In a
recent study, the RAND Corp. concluded that legalizing marijuana
could generate revenues either far higher or far lower than the BOE
estimate. Researchers said tax revenues could swing upward if
legalization leads to a surge of Amsterdam-style pot tourism. RAND
also estimated that the price of marijuana could plummet by more than
80 percent with legalization. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's
Office said state and local governments "could eventually collect
hundreds of millions of dollars annually in additional revenues."

Money Watch - Oakland marijuana entrepreneur Richard Lee, who runs
the Oaksterdam University marijuana trade school, contributed $1.3
million to the ballot measure. Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of
Facebook, donated $50,000. George Zimmer, founder of the Men's
Wearhouse clothiers, donated $30,000. Phillip D. Harvey, president of
Adam & Eve, a North Carolina mail order and retail firm for sexual
products and adult films, gave $100,000 to an independent committee
backing the initiative. Opponents have raised about $100,000 against
Proposition 19, led by the California Police Chiefs Association
($30,000), the California Narcotics Officers Association ($20,500)
and the California Beer and Beverage Distributors ($10,000)

Supporters - Large unions such as the Service Employees International
Union State Council and United Food & Commercial Workers Union -
Oaksterdam University marijuana trade school - California NAACP

What They Say - Revenues raised by legalization could mitigate cuts
to state and local services including law enforcement, health care
and education. Legalization would reduce crime, weaken criminal drug
cartels and implement a regulatory framework to prevent access to
marijuana by minors. It would retain employers' existing rights to
fire or discipline employees or address pot consumption that impairs
job performance.

OPPONENTS - Law enforcement groups, including the California Police
Chiefs Association and the California Narcotics Officers Association
Major officeholders and candidates, including gubernatorial
candidates Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein
and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger - The California Chamber of Commerce

WHAT THEY SAY - It won't reduce crime but will result in more
impaired drivers on roads. It contains anti-discrimination language
that could prevent employers from enforcing rules against marijuana
without clear evidence of impairment. It could lead private
industries and public agencies to lose federal funding for failing to
meet "drug-free workplace" standards.

LINKS

YES: http://yeson19.com

NO: http://noonproposition19.com

Sources: Secretary of state, Legislative Analyst's Office