ÿþ<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1"> <title>OnlineColumnist®.com: Putin Punishes Georgia</title> <meta name="generator" content="Adobe GoLive 4"> <style type="text/css"> .style3 { height: 68px; } .MsoNormal {} h1 {margin-bottom:.0001pt; page-break-after:avoid; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; } .style4 { font-size: large; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial; } .style6 { height: 69px; } h2 {margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center; page-break-after:avoid; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; } .style7 { font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; } </style> </head> <body bgcolor="white" vlink="black"> <center> &nbsp;<table cool width="624" height="2719" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" gridx="16" showgridx gridy="16" showgridy> <tr> <td width="133" height="118" rowspan="2" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0"> <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"><img height="110" width="62" src="images/discobolos.logo.transp.gif" border="0"></a></td> <td width="7" height="118" rowspan="2"></td> <td width="482" colspan="2" valign="top" align="left" xpos="140" class="style6"><img height="75" width="450" src="images/banner.GIF"></td> <td width="1" height="118" rowspan="2"></td> <td width="1" class="style6"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="79"></td> </tr> <tr height="39"> <td width="182" height="39"></td> <td width="300" height="39" valign="top" align="left" xpos="322"><a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"><img height="14" width="267" src="images/divisionofNEW.GIF" border="0"></a></td> <td width="1" height="39"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="39"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="624" colspan="6" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0" class="style3"> <table border="0" width="100%" bgcolor="black" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="100%" bgcolor="#99ffcc" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td align="center"> <div align="left"> <a href="index.html"><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> HOME</strong></font></a><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> &#8226; <a href="articlesindex.html">ARTICLES</a> &#8226; <a href="books.html">BOOKS</a> &#8226; <a href="teflon.html"> THE </a><a href="teflon.html">TEFLON</a><a href="teflon.html"> REPORT</a> &#8226; <a href="mailto:letters@onlinecolumnist.com"> REACTIONS</a> &#8226; <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html">ABOUT DISCOBOLOS</a></strong></font></div> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr height="2"> <td width="133" height="2"></td> <td width="489" height="2576" colspan="3" rowspan="2" align="left" xpos="133" content valign="top" csheight="2573"> <p class="style4">California&#39;s Marijuana Update</p> <p><b><font face="Arial,Geneva,Helvetica">by John M. Curtis</font></b><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b><a href="books.html"><br> </a></b></font><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b> (310) 204-8700</b></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><i>Copyright May 27, 2010<br>All Rights Reserved. </i></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <p class="MsoNormal"> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class="style7">W</span>hen Tax Cannabis California Legalization Initiative qualified for the November ballot March 25, a Public Policy Institute of California poll indicated 56% support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Reporting on a new PPIC poll May 27, support had eroded to around 50%, making passing an uphill battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> Without facing too much opposition, growing number of registered Republicans oppose the legalization effort by 66%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>While Democrats still hold a nearly 10% registration edge, more conservatives are expected to turn out for the midterm elections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Without a charismatic candidate on the ballot, Democrats are expected to sit this one out next November, boding poorly for the Tax Cannabis initiative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>California s Tax Cannabis initiative regulates the sale, distribution and taxation of marijuana much the same as cigarettes and alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Opposed by the liquor lobby and church groups, the opposition has yet to mount its campaign.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Pro-reform organizations like National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws [NORML] hoped the initial 56% support would hold up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They fear further erosion toward Election Day, stemming from general opposition to ballot initiatives, but, more importantly, the lower than expected turnout of liberal voters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Democrats still support the Tax Cannabis Act by 56% as opposed to only 34% of Republicans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Growing numbers of Latino voters, the state s biggest voting block, oppose the legislation by 62%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>NORML s supporters hope that Whites turn out in bigger numbers, since they support the initiative by 56%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Voters 55 and older support the measure by only 42%, refllecting, changing attitudes among Baby Boomers, whose support was offset by seniors over 70 whose support drops below 40%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Men support the measure at 54% where women favor legalization at 42%.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Looking to November, since seniors vote in significantly greater numbers than youth voters, proponents face stiff headwinds getting the initiative passed. Tax Cannabis supporters hoped the state s economic woes would drive voters to vote for legalization hoping to raise billions in tax revenue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>With a 2010 budget deficit estimated at $20 billion, supporters hoped an expected multibillion-dollar tax windfall would drive conservative voters support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Legalization was also supposed to save the state money by keeping marijuana offenders out the state prison system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Opponents still characterize marijuana as a dangerous  gateway drug, driving users to more dangerous drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Despite the lack of scientific proof, opponents continue to make the same old arguments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Seniors associate marijuana with adolescent revolt, criminality and a dangerous counterculture.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>California s NORML director Dale Gieringer expects a bruising fight to win legalization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> This is further evidence that voters remain eager to replace a failed policy with a more honest, commonsense solution that will control and tax marijuana like alcohol and cigarettes, generate critically needed revenue, and reduce crime by putting police resources where they belong, while ending the black market, said Tax Cannabis campaign spokesman Dan Newman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Newman has all the right talking points but he s preaching to the choir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He hasn t addressed organized opposition from Northern California s medical marijuana growers, who fear a loss of business should big agriculture businesses jump on the marijuana bandwagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They want to preserve the business for boutique cannabis farmers, supplying a quality product for California s medical marijuana dispensaries.<![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>California s leading Democratic candidates, like Sen. Barabara Boxer and Gubernatorial candidate Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, haven t signed on to the Tax Cannabis initiative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They fear a backlash from crossovers who like their politics but oppose marijuana legalization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> Democrats should like this at the ballot because it encourages turnout by young Democratic and liberal voters, so there is a lot of support in Democratic quarters for that reason, said Geiringer, puzzled by the Democratic Party s refusal to endorse the Tax Cannabis initiative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Public Safety First oppose legalization, fearing more traffic and work-related accidents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Fourteen years of experience from medical marijuana has shown no increase in traffic accidents or work-related injuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Democratic opposition stems largely form a fear of losing independent and crossover voters.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>California s Tax Cannabis faces an uphill battle during midyear elections that attract older conservative voters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Proponents have not shown how much the state will actually gain from legalization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Estimates of the expected tax windfall remain murky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> If 14 years of experience with Prop 215 is any guide, there hasn t been a substantial increase in marijuana smoking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Contrary to the liquor and public safety groups, there s no guarantee that passing the Tax Cannabis Act will result in a significant increase in marijuana use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Without a dramatic increase in marijuana use, it s doubtful the state will get the expected tax revenues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Medical marijuana growers and their clients see no direct benefit from legalization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They only see big agriculture reaping the rewards at the expense of boutique growers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Baring some major event before November, Tax Cannabis will wind up in the dustbin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> </p> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <p class="MsoNormal"> <b>John M. Curtis </b>writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He&#x2019;s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of <a href="books.html">Dodging The Bullet</a> and <a href="books.html">Operation Charisma</a>.</p> </td> <td width="1" height="2576" rowspan="2"></td> <td width="1" height="2"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="2"></td> </tr> <tr height="2574"> <td width="133" height="2574" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0"><img height="172" width="111" src="images/johninframe3.jpg"></td> <td width="1" height="2574"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="2574"></td> </tr> <tr height="1" cntrlrow> <td width="133" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="133" height="1"></td> <td width="7" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="7" height="1"></td> <td width="182" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="182" height="1"></td> <td width="300" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="300" height="1"></td> <td width="1" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="1"></td> <td width="1" height="1"></td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" width="597"> <tr> <td><font size="1" face="Arial,Geneva,Helvetica"> <hr noshade size="1"> </font><a href="index.html"><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> Homecobolos> <p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular">©1999-2005 <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"> Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.</a><br> (310) 204-8300<br> All Rights Reserved. </font></td> </tr> </table> </center> </body> </html>