California stands on the precipice of great change. This November 2nd, the Golden State is poised to make history by passing Proposition 19 and legalizing the adult recreational use of cannabis. Passage of Prop 19 would have a profound and cascading impact on marijuana reform movement in this country. It is impossible to understate its significance. In light of the state’s bleak economic outlook, the legalization of marijuana would provide a leg up out of this fiscal hole. A regulated industry for producing and distributing cannabis will provide additional taxes revenue and create new jobs. The money and resources that will be saved on the enforcement and prosecution of the state’s flawed marijuana laws could be reprioritized to combat violent crime. It would also allow us to control who consumes the product and prevent it from easily falling into the hands of children (who can currently acquire it more easily than regulated tobacco or alcohol).
Proposition 19’s victory would go beyond California’s borders; it would provide a beacon of hope to all of us still living in the dark ages of marijuana prohibition. This initiatives success would set the example for the rest of the states to follow. So I beg of you in California, act as though the whole world is watching (because it is) and vote ‘yes’ on 19.
Please watch the embedded video to hear why NORML’s Executive Director, Allen St. Pierre, and Founder/Legal Counsel Keith Stroup, support Proposition 19 and think you should too. It’s time to legalize marijuana use for responsible adults.