CA Prop 19 pulls together strange, green bedfellows

California’s Prop 19 has a little bit of every little thing that has made the 2010 election season interesting. There’s a vote on the CA ballot called the “Regulate, Control, and Tax Marijuana Act”. Here is an overview of the arguments about California’s Prop 19.

Prop 19 information

Proposition 19 is there to legalize marijuana. In CA, it would be lawful for recreational purposes. The voter initiative, if passed, would allow everyone 21 years of age or older to “possess, cultivate or transport cannabis for personal use.”. Marijuana would be taxed by the local govt. It could regulate it as well. It would be illegal to drive under to influence or to smoke in public or with anybody younger than 21 around.

Taxing the stuff with Proposition 19

If Proposition 19 passed, it can be good for CA financially. Major tax revenue would be there. About $1 billion in enforcing marijuana laws right now would be gone while $1.3 billion in tax revenue would be there with Prop 19. Minimum wage is what the state is paying employees right now. With that kind of revenue, there might be a large change in those wages.

Proposition 19 relies greatly on states' rights

Legalizing cannabis is not the concern even for many groups. They think it can be one step closer to more rights within the states individually. Some think the federal govt in the United States should not regulate intoxicants. This is what many groups are hoping to get across. For Tea Party groups, Prop 19 is proving to be a question of state and individual rights.

Prop 19 has unusual ones stating no

There are strange groups that are really against California's Prop 19. Some producers and sellers of medical cannabis have spoken out in opposition to passing Proposition 19 in California. Marijuana being lawful for recreation will mean that the sector changes. The medical industry can have to change too. They might end up with higher taxes although it's a medical product and the prices of it dropping.

Want to know more about California's Proposition 19? This two-part series on the initiative has all the info you need. In the end, Proposition 19 brings up lots of tough issues for CA residents. How do you plan to vote?