Is it finally time for California to legalize marijuana? We hope so but it was only about a year ago that legalization was defeated! Is it finally time for California to legalize marijuana? We hope so but it was only about a year ago that legalization was defeated!

LOS ANGELES--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--In November, 2010, a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana was narrowly defeated (53-46) in California. Convinced the time has come to legalize cannabis, activists are collecting signatures to place the Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act of 2012 (RMLW) on the November, 2012 ballot.

“LEAP believes the citizens of California are far ahead of the federal government in assessing a policy that will reduce death, disease, crime, and corruption, when they register 62% support for the initiative Regulate Marijuana Like Wine.”

“Wine is something that people understand can be used in moderation,” said retired LAPD Deputy Chief Stephen Downing, who coauthored the voter initiative. “In fact, a recent study found that 64 percent of people polled stated marijuana poses no greater risk to society than drinking alcohol.”

In the report, conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3), 62 percent of California voters polled believe marijuana should be legalized, 67 percent believe responsible adults over the age of 21 should have the right to use marijuana, and 80 percent believe new drug policies are needed.

The report further indicates most Californians believe law enforcement spends too much time enforcing marijuana laws, which prevents them from concentrating on more serious crimes like murder, rape and robbery.

According to the FM3 survey:

71 percent of respondents agree state and local law enforcement agencies spend too much time, money and resources enforcing marijuana.

63 percent believe a main reason for severe prison overcrowding is the prosecution and incarceration of non-violent drug offenders.

64 percent say marijuana should be taxed to fund public schools, police and fire services, and other vital services.

According to a summary prepared by the Attorney General, some of the initiative’s regulations include:

Decriminalizing marijuana sales, distribution, possession, use, cultivation and transportation.

Retaining laws forbidding use while driving or in the workplace.

Establishing regulation of commercial marijuana trade to match regulation of wine and beer.

Directing state and local officials to not cooperate with federal enforcement of marijuana laws.

Banning development of genetically modified marijuana.

California’s Legislative Analyst’s summary of the initiative’s fiscal impact

If the initiative passes, the potential fiscal impact on state and local government could:

Save tens of millions of dollars annually because state and local governments will no longer incarcerate and supervise certain marijuana offenders.

Net hundreds of millions of dollars in additional tax revenues related to the production and sale of marijuana products.