California's Proposition 19 in 2010 Was Killed by a Selfish Few. Now What?

Well, recreational cannabis use is still illegal in California. Sure seems like we should have more sensible laws by now, but...

We don't. So fair-minded people and activists everywhere need to keep up the fight. We will win eventually. The question is now, "not if, but when..." will we legalize this benign plant? Like many of you, I was hoping it would pass this year, but nothing has really changed for us activists. We still have to work hard to educate the public about sensible drug policy.

Slow and steady wins the race. If we're going to win next time, it's important to think long term. The same issues are bound to come up next time, considering all of the money being made by keeping it illegal. Read on to see how Prop. 19 was killed, but don't give up. Help educate Californians about the importance of keeping our eye on the ball (as we say here).

Here are my thoughts from before the election:

If you follow pot politics in California, you have probably heard the feverish rantings of a handful of medical marijuana dispensary owners and their friends who call Proposition 19 "a wolf in sheep's clothing" and "the corporatization of weed." This is ridiculous. As an activist who's been following California drug policy for decades, I can tell you that most of their concerns are either completely unfounded or exaggerations based on fear and ignorance.

I've read the full text of Proposition 19, which would legalize recreational cannabis use for the first time in California. I haven't just read articles and blogs about it; that's right, I have personally read the whole, actual initiative (It's not all that hard to do, by the way). Here's what I think: it's not perfect, but it's a really good start, and the best chance we have to get the legalization of cannabis started. It could be the only chance we have for a long, long time.

If you are a Californian who's passionate about making the law fair for ALL cannabis users, then you need to vote YES on Proposition 19. It will hurt the bottom line of the few who now profit from tthe herb's illegal status, but it's overwhelmingly positive for the rest of the population.

The real wolf in sheep's clothing is the self-serving campaign to block this incredible opportunity for progress. "Stoners Against the Prop. 19 Tax Cannabis Initiative" protects the interests of those dispensary owners and street dealers who make money now because cannabis is illegal and expensive. To get a sense of the distortions and misrepresentations they use, you need look no further than their web site. The URL itself is misleading: votetaxcannabis2010.blogspot.com is designed specifically to dissuade people from voting to tax cannabis in 2010. I encourage you to read the site contents; most of my readers are smart enough to see through the lies and attempts at manipulation. And, because the mention of the law's actual text is buried at the bottom of the page and not even linked to the text itself, here's a link to the full text of Proposition 19.

I actually want you to read it. A careful reading of both websites and a little more research will lead most reasonable people to agree that Proposition 19 is a good place to start.

You will see an imperfect law, one reflecting some compromises made to garner enough votes to succeed on election day. In my opinion, the compromises are acceptable, and I'm quite sure that a Prop. 19 victory will be overwhelmingly positive for cannabis users. Change doesn't happen all at once, but it does happen when committed people work together with courage and determination.

If you live in California and you want cannabis to be treated like alcohol by the law, you can make it happen by voting yes on Proposition 19. I personally will keep working to make our drug laws more just, more fair and more compassionate. Please, please take this major step with me in the real legalization of cannabis; the herb has served us well, and now it's time to return the favor.

Yes, yes, and hell yes on Proposition 19!