Impact of Ammiano’s Bill Depends on Federal Law
May 14th, 2009 by Erin
Anyone who’s a marijuana activist knows assemblyman Tom Ammiano. He’s the author of a bill that would make California the first ever state to legalize personal marijuana use, but not without the typical fights with the feds.
The Governator’s appeasing statement about being open to discussion about California possibly allowing sales of marijuana in order to gain tax revenue has only supported Ammiano’s bill. According to the state Board of Equalization, the bill could raise an estimated $1.3 billion a year.
Assuming federal law stays the same, the bill (AB390) would simply remove criminal penalties for individual possession and cultivation of no more than 10 marijuana plants. No retail sales or tax revenue, and HOPEFULLY no more federal raids.
If federal law were to permit possession and sale, marijuana would be made legal for those 21 and older with laws similar to those regarding alcohol.
Quintin Mecke, a spokesman for Ammiano, thinks the DEA shouldn’t be interested in private residences:
I think they pay attention to major grow operations.
Stephen Gutwillig, state director of the Drug Policy Alliance stated:
In ever-increasing numbers, the citizens of this state are ready to junk our failed prohibition policies, even if that means taking on the feds
in reference to the recent nationwide Zogby poll that showed legalization support at 52%. Gutwillig said the voters are “way ahead” of public officials on this issue, and we couldn’t agree more.
Bruce Mirken, spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, said:
It has to be the states moving first. Just like medical marijuana, the feds will be dragged along by the states.
Unfortunately, we may have to wait two years before we see a change here in Cali. Ammiano introduced the bill in February, but he won’t try and bring it to a vote until next year, meaning it could not take effect until 2011. In response to the ongoing federal-state conflict that complicates many things, you may remember Barack Obama saying states should be allowed to enforce medical marijuana laws without federal interference; unfortunately his views are limited only to medical marijuana.
When asked about his thoughts on legalizing marijuana to increase tax revenue, Obama said:
No, I don’t think that is a good strategy to grow our economy.
Mirken said it’ll take time to convince the feds to let the state go its own way, but in two years if the bill becomes law and Obama is looking for re-election, the administration officials looking to crack down might reconsider for fear of angering California.
Bill breakdown: What would it do?
- Decriminalize personal use, sale, possession and cultivation of cannabis in California.
- If the federal ban were repealed, the state would allow marijuana farmers and sellers, but impose a $50/oz tax.
Tom Ammiano: Stop Letting Criminals Get Rich with Pot
March 3rd, 2009 by Perry
Tom Ammiano, the controversial California legislator who recently proposed legalization wants to know why we are letting criminals control California’s No. 1 cash crop.
In a recent Chronicle editorial, Ammiano addresses critics of the Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act, calling legalization the logical next step in California’s and hopefully the nation’s public policy toward marijuana and California’s deficit crisis.
The editorial also takes an interesting look at how we got to where we are to do as a society in regards to how we look at pot, including the inception of the modern legalization movement in the late 60s and early 70s.
Ammiano’s Proposed California Legalization Legislation
February 25th, 2009 by Perry
Yesterday, Tom Ammiano proposed a piece of legislation to California’s House of Representatives that would legalize marijuana in the state.
Click here to see a copy of the bill [Warning: PDF], which includes significant rewrites of California’s health codes, and lists a few of the nuances listed in the bill to make the legislation appealing.
For example, part of revenue generation would be a $5,000 license for all those who want a commercial license to sell medical marijuana. The law would also make the legal usage age 21 officially, so teens would have to wait a few years to purchase legally.
SF Legislator Brings Legalization Bill to Vote
February 24th, 2009 by PerryLegalize it — and I will advertise it.
California lawmakers are proposing legislation to legalize marijuana in California. The move would make it the first state to adopt such a measure completely legalizing the drug. The legislation was written back in 2004, but the dire straits of California’s budget crisis (nearing $41 billion in the red before a deal was struck,) legislators aren’t really dismissing anything out of hand. Particularly since the bill would generate roughly $1 billion a year.
Tom Ammiano, a rookie legislator from San Francisco, held a press conference this morning to announce his want to bring the bill to a vote. Called the Marijuana Control Regulation and Education Act, the legislation puts a $50/ounce tax on marijuana, and would make it legal to sell or distribute the drug with a state license.
Not to bring in the bad news but the law wouldn’t address the discrepancy between state and federal law, and also wouldn’t address how to eradicate the illegal supply for a legal one.
