A bunch of states are going to have full-on marijuana legalization initiatives on their ballots next year. California, who had a failed attempt last year with Prop 19, looks to be leading the pack with the most possible options hitting possibly in front of the electorate in 2012. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the contenders to make marijuana legal in California in 2012. All of the below have qualified to gather signatures. If they get enough, they will be on the ballot in front of California voters November, 2012.
Regulate Marijuana Like Wine
regulatemarijuanalikewine.comBy far the most organized and quickest to get their required signatures, RMLW2012 seems to be the clear frontrunner for 2012.
What RMLW2012 does:
- $2,500 fine for selling to under 21
- Legalizes marijuana for adult use
- Legalizes hemp
- Allows up to 12 (outdoor) or 24 (indoor) plants for Adults
- Repeals existing marijuana laws
- Specifically Prohibits Arrests
- Forbids Co-operation with Federal Government
- Removes Cannabis From State Schedule I
- Forces California Attorney General to defend the law
How’s RMLW2012 doing?
Orange County Weekly reports the campaign raised $100,000 and collected 20,000 signatures last fall. They’ve got boatloads of signature gatherers and they’re crazy detailed on how the initiative will stand up to legal challenges. read The Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act of 2012
Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act of 2012 (updated Jan 13, 2012)
- http://sensiblecalifornia2012.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Repeal-Cannabis-Prohibition/256264247726059
- repealcannabisprohibition.org
It’s harder to get a handle on this act as their web presence is less visible. They’re relying on their Facebook page for info. RCPA’s website is up, they’ve started fundraising, and you can download petitions.
What Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act of 2012 does:
- Legalizes cannabis for folks 19 and over
- Establishes the California Cannabis Commission – which will in charge of setting up the regulations for growing, selling, testing, etc.
- Under 19 is either a misdemeanor or and infraction
- Selling to minors is an offense
- Driving wasted is an offense
How is it doing?
They’re gathering signatures. Can’t quite tell how it’s going though. Signed up for updates from the site, but haven’t received any. From an email RCPA sent Jan 10:
Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act 2012 is off to a good start! We just launched yesterday and have already raised thousands in online donations, signed up many volunteers and are getting the petitions out there. Please go to the website today and make a donation, download a petition, and sign up to volunteer. Please read the instructions carefully if you are going to help with the signature drive.
read the Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act of 2012
California Marijuana Penalties Act
ballotpedia…California_Reduced_Marijuana_Penalties_Initiative_(2012)Just another decriminalization bill. And a crappy one at that.
- Limits punishment to $250 fine or community service for possession, cultivation, sale, or transportation of up to two ounces of marijuana;
- limits punishment to six months in county jail and/or $500 fine if violator is less than 21
- A bunch of other crap that keeps existing laws and charts punishments
How is it doing?
Who gives a shit? This is such a pathetic attempt at decriminalization that at best, it shows the writers think virtually nothing worthwhile will pass by the voters of California, and at worst, looks like a deliberate attempt to confuse voters as to what the other initiatives are trying to do. Doesn’t matter anyway, they practically don’t exist on the internet and I would completely shocked if they had a chance in hell of getting enough signatures to make the ballot.