Lawmakers on the California Assembly, Committee on Public Safety, voted 4 to 3 today in favor of Assembly Bill 390: The Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act — which seeks to legalize the production, distribution, and personal use of marijuana for adults age 21 and older. The vote is first time since 1913, when California became one of the first states in the nation to criminalize the use and possession of marijuana, that lawmakers have called for the repeal of cannabis prohibition.
“Today’s vote marks the first time in nearly a century that California lawmakers have reassessed this failed criminal policy,” said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano. “Any risks presented by the use of marijuana by adults falls within the ambit of choice we should permit individuals in a free society. It’s time replace the failings of marijuana prohibition with a policy of legalization, regulation and education. Today’s vote is a significant, albeit first step in this direction.”
Further Committee votes on AB 390 are unlikely to take place this session because of legislative calendar restraints. However, the bill’s sponsor, San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, said that he would likely reintroduce a similar version of the bill later this month.
Registered supporters for the measure included: the AFL-CIO, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the California Public Defenders Association, among others.
Registered opponents of the bill included: the California Fraternal Order of Police, the California Narcotics Officers Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the California Peace Officers’ Association, and the California District Attorneys Association.
Voting ‘yes’ on the bill were Ammiano, Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael and Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. Voting no were Assemblyman Warren Furutani, D-Gardena (Los Angeles County), Assemblyman Danny Gilmore, R-Hanford (Kings County) and Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills (San Bernardino County).
Archived footage of today’s historic vote is available on the California Channel here.
Hey everybody… I watched the entire event on the California channel and although our leaders were fewer in numbers than the other side our guys provided bottm line, verifiable data. Our leaders spoke the truth and I want to commend each of you and say thanks again for representing the cause to legalized cannabis once and for all. Also please never forget even though many such as myself can’t be there physically when you are defending the cause we are there with you in spirit!
If California “legalizes the production, distribution, and personal use of marijuana” I am moving back to Cali!
I find is very interesting that the organizations that are appossed to this bill, are the same ones that profit off it being illegal!! Like the Corproate code enforcement officer that Arrest you and take your property to profit themselves. By legalizing Marijuana and hemp, farmers can start producing fabric, fuel, and so much more… Think of the huge possibility that this wonder seed can do for our environment along.. Did you know that Henry Ford designed the first model T to run on Hemp oil?
This is great news! I look forward to more of this type of momentum in the very near future. The house of cards known as the ‘War on Drugs’ is falling apart as we watch. historic times my friends, historic times!
The fact that people are being punished for the possession of cannabis is for me, and anyone else that has been affected by it, devastating.
When it hurts no one and can in fact save lives! In many different ways we must ask why? The fact of the matter is the drug war is revolving around and is funded from pot smokers. The drug the hurts the least and helps the most??? please lets fix this i beg everyone and i have to say this puts a smile to my face finely seeing a light at the end of this tunnel we must not discriminate anyone for anything and must have love for everyone no matter what problems you may have and all work together to make our people have a far country.
Free all all non violent drug offenders! Peace and love is the only way to live your life smokes some cannabis and enjoy the meditation that is blesses you with, and help everyone to understand that no mater how young or old we must tell the true about drugs so we can at lease worry about what hurts and what helps. And for thoughts people that have a life threatening drug addiction we will give them our care and love to see to it that they get better if they want help if they are a threat to others than they should be taken away from the rest of society. But humans are not meant to be in cages and treated like a slave over a plant or crack rock so fuck your perfect life and do what is RIGHT!!! love everyone.
Like honestly we are all brothers and sisters no matter what. We need to focus on what is real and not just money and bullshit get real. Lets please make the right decision PEACE LOVE HAPPINESS!
lets all please stay realistic in hard times stop hurting ppl and taking from families
thankyou!
Paul,
I work as a PCA (Personal Care Attendant) for an individual who was 80% paralyzed almost thirty years ago. Today while I was at his house helping him by preparing food, etc; he was reviewing applications annd considering who to hire to replace one of his assitants who moved and he mentioned one of them had a drug conviction for marijuana. I replied that if he had volunteered that information he’s probably alright… with a cautious tone. My client’s reply surprised me:
He told me that just because someone had a drug charge that doesn’t mean they’re a bad person, and that it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to do daily tasks anyway. He seemed to suggest he’d rather have a reliable stoned assitant than an unreliable one who drinks in excess.
It put a smile on my face. I never go to work high, because the stoned/sober communication barrier can be annoying. But it’s nice to find someone who isn’t necessarily involved in the weed or no weed debate be rational and fair about it.
This isn’t the first time the topic has arisen due to my involvement with the disabled-help line of work. I recently attended the Kansas Disability Caucus and driving the van to Topeka two of the women attending had a very fervent opinion that it should be legal, particularly because of it’s medical benifits. They acknowledged that while it may not cure cancer, or arthritis, etc, it can relieve the pain.
Maybe they should set up a committee to study the committee, then they could evaluate a committee to commit to the committee, so they can deny the committee, then they could re-evaluate the comm………What a fucked up system ! Re-legalize you fools so we can pull our country from the abyss you’ve created ! You go Cali. Free the flower !
Here’s my $0.02.
There are so many ways to get rid of the criminal/violent/cartel element surrounding cannabis from our country, but they all revolve around it’s liberalization. One way is like we all are pushing for – which is regulating it like alcohol. However, another way is to make it partially legal – which means you are permitted to grow and possess it inside your home. Head shops could sell seeds and starter kits, as well as foods made from it (brownies, cookies, teas, etc). Also, you woulkd be allowed to transport so much processed bud (aboout an oz or two) for medicine, parties or gifts. Either system, I would be estatic about, but the first would be so much better.
It’s just this simple. If one (1) human being took over the world, that one(1) human being would “fear the rest of us.” So! there is safety in numbers. That one (1) human being saw the same “85% in favor” as we did.We must never let our number get less than that one’s ability to rule us…amen.
RECRUIT…RECRUIT…RECRUIT.
hell ya
Very happy about this, but to those who think legalizing marijuana will “end California’s debt problems”, you are all completely deluded. Sure, there will be a nice profit from taxation that will make a significant difference, but saying this will “wipe out” the state debt is entirely asinine. People who think like this and voice their nonsense give educated marijuana-users a bad rap.
Be happy and support what you can locally, but leave the economical aspects of legalization to the professionals who aren’t full of hot air (no phD economist has or would ever claim legalization will completely erase Cali’s debt).
O.K. People.Marijuana has proven to cure cancer so what is the argument against it when we have tobbacco that kills thousands of people each year and Alcohol the same.
[Editor’s note: To date there is no scientific proof that cannabis ‘cures’ cancer…Is there some promise for such? Yes. Has cannabis been scientifically proven to be a cure for cancer? No, not yet.]
O.K. People.Marijuana has proven to cure cancer so what is the argument against it when we have tobbacco and Alcohol the same.Lets legalize Marijuana and use it responsibly along with alcohol and tobbaco if we choose so.For Life, Liberty and the persuit of happiness.HOORAY FOR CALIFORNIA AND THE GOOD OLE USA!!!!!
[Editor’s note: To date there is no scientific proof that cannabis ‘cures’ cancer…Is there some promise for such? Yes. Has cannabis been scientifically proven to be a cure for cancer? No, not yet.]
we have the power to fix this some day people will look at drug policy like we look at women’s rights and slavery. it will be a no brainer and people will wonder why the fuck this even happened
Here’s my little thing, all these stupid law makers can go to hell. I’m not saying that NORML is not doing the greatest job in the world but…. LET’S JUST VOTE ON IT IN NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!! They always tell us if, we the people don’t like the laws then to change them. Well ok we will!! Just get it on the ballot for November and we will see what happens. When they see how many votes there is to regulate marijuana there going to crap there pants. Don’t you guys ever forget that the people run this country not the government. So register to vote and ROCK THE VOTE in November. WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!
Jeremy Campbell (PROUD MARIJUANA SMOKER)
Bakersfield, California
way to go cali, we here in BC support you big time. lol. even though it will drive the price of our bud way down. PS no one grows it like BC.
I CANT SMOKE BUD DUE TO NEW RANDOM DRUG TESTING AT MY EMPLOYER THE FIRST STATE THAT MAKES BUD LEGAL IM MOVING THERE GO GUYS GO BTW IN MICHIGAN A MEDICAL MARIJUANA STATE THERE TRYING TO CHANGE THE LAWS SO FOLKS CANT GROW THERE OWN BUD RIGHT NOW THATS THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT BESIDES FROM AN LEGAL POT DEALER OF COURSE THUS MAKING IT HARDER TO GET KEEP FIGHTING CAUSE ID REALLY LIKE TO BE HIGH RIGHT NOW
This is a step in the right direction. (added by Mobile using Mippin)