Proposition 19 ends up in smoke!
Proposition 19 (Prop 19), a ballot measure in California to legalize the cultivation and possession of marijuana, fell flat on its face when the majority of California voters rejected it. Prop 19, which was one of the most widespread measures covered for the USA midterm elections, would have allowed people age 21 or older to legally possess as much as an ounce of marijuana, and even grow it in a space of up to 25 square feet for personal use. It also would have authorized county and city governments to regulate and tax the commercial cultivation and sales of the drug. If it was passed, California would have become the first U.S. state to legalize the possession and cultivation of marijuana. In 1996, it became the first state to decriminalize the medicinal use of the drug. Prop 19 trailed in recent opinion polls and every major newspaper, as well as with both political parties. The two candidates for the post of California’s governor, and all but a handful of politicians had opposed it. Opponents said the measure would threaten public safety, violate federal law and drug-free workplace rules, allow a patchwork of different regulations, and wouldn’t raise much, if any, tax revenue. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and federal officials had also warned that they would “vigorously enforce” federal laws against marijuana possession and sales and that they would consider “all available legal and policy options” to overturn the California initiative if it passed. But Prop 19 went up in smoke, failing to garner no more than 45 percent of the vote.
According to White House Drug Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske, the result proves that Californians realize that “legalizing marijuana will not make citizens healthier, solve California’s budget crisis, or reduce drug related violence in Mexico.” Supporters of Prop 19 blame the defeat on the poor turnout of the youth who they had expected to propel the passage. Prop 19 proponent Richard Lee said he would attempt to qualify another initiative in 2012 to legalize marijuana.
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