legalization in California! 3 threads merged! Get active!

[8182KSKUSH]

Fuck!

[8182KSKUSH]

I am confused here. The sec of states site is updated as of 4/28, and it sounds like they got enough signatures. It sounds like they are now going to be collecting the additional needed 09/05/08.
So what is going on?
Niether of the initatives are marked as failed? They still look active per the government site? So what is the deal I am sure someone can explain it for me? Check out the site.
California Secretary of State - Elections & Voter Information - Initiative Update

Just scroll through it, there are 2, it looks like another seperate one with regard to amnesty for state convicted marijuana offenders? Maybe I am just fucking stupid I guess?

[8182KSKUSH]

Ok, someone educate me I am ignorant.
I know that the "activist" groups have declared that there were not enough signatures for the initiative to legalize.
However the sec of states site, as of May 2, has not even finished counting them?


Initiatives Pending Raw Count of Signatures

1296. (07-0064)
Marijuana. Repeal of Criminal and Civil Penalties. Release from Jail. Statute.
Summary Date: 11/26/07 Circulation Deadline: 04/24/08 Signatures Required: 433,971

Proponents: Jack Herer, Charles E. Lepp, George Clayton Johnson, Phyllis Vonderscher, Ronnie Lee Smith, Michael S. Jolson and Seeva Marie Cherms
Decriminalizes possession, cultivation, transportation, distribution, and use of marijuana or hemp. Provides persons convicted or serving time for non-violent offenses involving marijuana be immediately released from prison, jail, parole, or probation, and be eligible to have their convictions erased. Provides no permit, license, or tax be required for non-commercial cultivation, transportation, distribution, or consumption of marijuana. Allows doctors to prescribe or recommend marijuana to patients, regardless of age. Prohibits testing for marijuana for employment or insurance purposes. Bars state from aiding enforcement of certain federal marijuana laws. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Savings in the several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments, which would no longer incur the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. A potential increase of a few million dollars annually in the cost of the state’s Drug Medi-Cal substance abuse treatment program. (Initiative 07-0064.)

Where is the disconnect, and what is going on.
Also, there is another initiative that has recieved even less attention than the other one. It is apparently still in circulation,

Marijuana Legalization. Individual Rights. Constitutional Amendment.

Summary Date: 04/08/08 Circulation Deadline: 09/05/08 Signatures Required: 694,354

Proponent: Christopher Springer

Amends constitution to legalize marijuana and hemp within California and to provide for broad individual constitutional rights, including rights to food, shelter, medical care, and to be free from “unreasonable” taxation. Allows marijuana to be sold in any store that sells alcohol. Establishes local boards with expansive powers, including powers to regulate and tax marijuana. Requires marijuana tax revenues support specified programs. Exempts marijuana sales profits from income tax. Forbids most testing for marijuana used outside the workplace. Prohibits most marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco advertisements. Immunizes marijuana growers and sellers from liability. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Potential savings of up to several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments, which would no longer incur the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. Potential costs of up to the tens of millions of dollars to state and local governments to fund the one-time start-up costs of the local boards. A potentially significant increase in state and local spending on substance abuse treatment services that could possibly be partially or fully offset by revenues from this measure. Potential increased revenues in the tens of millions to low hundreds of millions of dollars annually from marijuana stamps and licenses to support specified programs and the local boards. Unknown but potentially significant increase in state and local revenues from collection of sales and use taxes on the sale of Marijuana. Unknown but potentially significant decrease in state and local revenues from taxes on tobacco and alcohol due to a prohibition of advertising for these goods that would likely result in a decline in sales. (Initiative 08-0009.)

Are the "so-called" "leaders" of the current political efforts to make cannabis reform happen in California talking anywhere about this? What is going on?

How much $$ did they raise for this? What did they do with it? Why is there nothing about the 2nd one that I mentioned?

[8182KSKUSH]

As of May 12th, there are updates to proposed ballot initiatives.

1296. (07-0064) Marijuana. Repeal of Criminal and Civil Penalties. Release From Jail. Statute. FAILED to Qualify.

Initiatives and Referenda in Circulation
as of May 12, 2008 1341. (08-0009)

Marijuana Legalization. Individual Rights. Constitutional Amendment.
Summary Date: 04/08/08 Circulation Deadline: 09/05/08 Signatures Required: 694,354

Proponent: Christopher Springer
Amends constitution to legalize marijuana and hemp within California and to provide for broad individual constitutional rights, including rights to food, shelter, medical care, and to be free from “unreasonable” taxation. Allows marijuana to be sold in any store that sells alcohol. Establishes local boards with expansive powers, including powers to regulate and tax marijuana. Requires marijuana tax revenues support specified programs. Exempts marijuana sales profits from income tax. Forbids most testing for marijuana used outside the workplace. Prohibits most marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco advertisements. Immunizes marijuana growers and sellers from liability. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Potential savings of up to several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments, which would no longer incur the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. Potential costs of up to the tens of millions of dollars to state and local governments to fund the one-time start-up costs of the local boards. A potentially significant increase in state and local spending on substance abuse treatment services that could possibly be partially or fully offset by revenues from this measure. Potential increased revenues in the tens of millions to low hundreds of millions of dollars annually from marijuana stamps and licenses to support specified programs and the local boards. Unknown but potentially significant increase in state and local revenues from collection of sales and use taxes on the sale of Marijuana. Unknown but potentially significant decrease in state and local revenues from taxes on tobacco and alcohol due to a prohibition of advertising for these goods that would likely result in a decline in sales. (Initiative 08-0009.) (Full Text)

So there you have it. It looks like there is still some "activity", but who knows what will come of it. I am dissapointed to say the least with the other initiative that did nothing and went no where. Even with the backing of "psuedo celebs in the cannabis world (Jack Herer, Charles E. Lepp, George Clayton Johnson, Phyllis Vonderscher, Ronnie Lee Smith, Michael S. Jolson and Seeva Marie Cherms)". These are the people that are "the leaders of the movement" but they failed miserably. WTF is going on, WTF happened. They had to have known pretty damn early on that was going to be the result. That tells me they must have had some kind of idea at what was happening the whole time they were trying to "raise money". This other initiative just has one persons name on it. It's still alive for now, so we'll see what happens I guess. Why wouldn't any of those people that endorsed the other initiative, be endorsing the one that is still alive? Bull shit politics and I am ye of little faith for the people that are proclaiming that they are the leaders of the "movement". Just my stupid opinion though.
I wonder how much money was raised for that bill? I distinctly get the impression that the current "movement" is really all about donations donations donations. It seems like their is a nice business within cannabis activism, and it's ironic that if it were legal, many of the "activists" that are collecting money to pursue "great political progress" would lose some income. This is a rant but really, what was the effort? Nill. So WTF happened. I just want some answers. Hard to believe that no one is even intrested. I am frustrated and apologize to those whome this post may have offended. This was just an innocent little rant.

[boaz]

Originally Posted by 8182KSKUSH

Fuck!

i second that. Kush, you should be commended for all your work trying to weed this all out ( . . . sorry). wish i knew more but i'm in bumfuck oklahoma so i don't have a clue other that whats on their website. best of luck out there.

[8182KSKUSH]

It's just frustrating, I was at a clinic today, spoke to a handful of people, (patients and employees) only 1 of them was even aware that something was going on, and none of them knew the first one was dead, none of them knew about the second one. Something stinks to me.

I feel bad for you out there. I lived in Miami for a couple years. I know what you are likely dealing with. Hopefully you have access to some better stuff than the mexican weed. But if not it does do the trick I guess, worked for me for 11 years anyway. It's neat that you have an intrest in the ongoings politically out here, too bad more people out here weren't as intrested as you!

[8182KSKUSH]

Originally Posted by boaz

i second that. Kush, you should be commended for all your work trying to weed this all out ( . . . sorry). wish i knew more but i'm in bumfuck oklahoma so i don't have a clue other that whats on their website. best of luck out there.

I am just a bumfuck from Kansas, just happen to live out here now. Believe me, first hand exp. People out here are far from being more advanced, smarter, or enlightened in any way. I actually think people out here are kind of slow and backwards, in the way they prioritze things and think anyway.

[boaz]

^ i bet it didn't take you long at all to realize that, either. i love californians, i was actually born out there on the left coast myself and lived in So. Cal. for years during my college daze, so i can talk about them. but i grew up in So. Mo. not far from Kansas and Miami. we used to cross the border about every weekend when I was in high school back when Kansas had 18 and over clubs that served beer.

I am also a card carrying med user, although, sadly, the card is just a novelty here. we have med use laws but only if you have cancer, i believe. its a start, but its no prop 215. until then, yes, its grow your own, get some help from a friend, or thank god for our amigos and amigas down south for the brick weed. mucho's gracias!

[boaz]

^ btw . . . that smoking baby pic has me rolling on the floor everytime i see it.

[8182KSKUSH]

Nothing new here. The site has not been updated since my last posting. I will follow this last one through to the end though and post what happens.

[8182KSKUSH]

Just checking in here, no new news to report, the previously mentioned initiative is still in circulation for siggies.

Just some food for thought,
around the same time the other initiative was circulating that failed to qualify, this one did qualify.

1274. (07-0041)

Treatment of Farm Animals. Statute.
Summary Date: 10/01/07 Qualified: 04/09/08 Signatures Required: 433,971

Proponent: Joe Ramsey (916) 967-8102
Requires that an enclosure or tether confining specified farm animals allow the animals for the majority of every day to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up, and turn around. Specified animals include calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens, and pregnant pigs. Exceptions made for transportation, rodeos, fairs, 4-H programs, lawful slaughter, research and veterinary purposes. Provides misdemeanor penalties, including a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment in jail for up to 180 days. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Probably minor local and state enforcement and prosecution costs, partly offset by increased fine revenue. (Initiative 07-0041.) (Full Text)

Can anyone explain how Joe Ramsey got the required siggies for what I would say is kind of a obscure, wierd ass bill, but the "Great Celebrity Leaders of Cannabis Culture in CA" failed? I just offer this as food for thought with regard to our "Activist Leaders" here. What the fuck were they doing exactly? I am starting to really believe that they never intended to get the required siggies, and that it was all a stunt to get in the news some, and raise money off a donations from people for their non profits. Hard to imagine how exactly these people couldn't get the required siggies for their initiative, but this guy gets them for an initiative about fucking farm animals!!!!!!! Am I crazy or does anyone else here notice a problem? Is this what happens when your activist "leaders" are all still convinced it's 1967? Are they just taking advantage of uninformed cannabis users for the sake of making money. That's what it looks like to me, but maybe I am just crazy. Fuck all of them if that is the case fuck'em all. Until we change the face of cannabis advocacy, nothing will change, and people that have a vested intrest in making money advocating for cannabis will continue to take advantage of the ignorant and uninformed while claiming to be the "movements" leaders. What a fucking joke.

[HighTy]

What we need is a huge protest. It's hard to get everyone to do it tho. Get on the media somehow, local news stations. let the world know what were tryin to do.

[8182KSKUSH]

I understand what you are saying, however I failed to notice the "huge protests" for the initiative that I mentioned in the previous post. Somehow, it managed to get the required siggies. Can someone explain that to me I am all ears...
What was it again, oh yeah, a bill for the treatment of farm animals, right. So they get their required siggies, and we don't. I think it goes a whole fuck load deeper than we just didn't protest and get out there. Like I said, I don't recall seeing the protesters and advocates groups dedicated to the treatment of farm animals, but somehow they did it. There is still hope though, 1 initiative still alive and gathering signatures.

[HighTy]

One important question though...

Where do we sign??? A lot of people want to know this. including me.