News » Prop 19 Gains Support of California SEIU





The New York Times is reporting that several sources have come forward indicating that the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) of California will announce their support for California’s marijuana legalization measure, Proposition 19. These officials have been briefed, but were not allowed make a public statement in advance of the announcement.

While polls indicate that the proposal carries a slight lead in “yes” votes, the social stigma that is associated with “illicit” drug use may make the true support hard to predict. With the SEIU’s 700,000 members vote of confidence, it makes the proposition easier for other groups to rally around, and provides much needed organizational support and brings a mainstream player to the table.

Proponents argue that the measure will bring revenue to the indebted State of California through taxes as well as savings on the cost of law enforcement, and at the same time deal a major blow to the Mexican drug cartels which are a major source of border violence. On the opposite side, opponents such as Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca claims that legalization will be a threat to public safety.

The measure will be up for vote by the public on the November 2, 2010 ballot.

[source New York Times]

Tags: California, legalization, Prop 19, SEIU, union