Breaking News: MadMikesAmerica supports Prop 19! JUST SAY NOW!!

Sources close toReddit have told us that the editorial staff has elected to support California’s proposition 19 which will, in effect, do the following:

Legalization of personal marijuana-related activities

Persons over the age of 21 may possess up to one 1 ounce (28 g) of marijuana for personal consumption.

May use marijuana in a non-public place such as a residence or a public establishment licensed for on site marijuana consumption.

May grow marijuana at a private residence in a space of up to 25 square feet for personal use.

Local government regulation of commercial production and sale

Local government may authorize the retail sale of up to 1 ounce of marijuana per transaction, and regulate the hours and location of the business.

Local government may authorize larger amounts of marijuana for personal possession and cultivation, or for commercial cultivation, transportation, and sale.

Allows for the transportation of marijuana from a licensed premises in one city or county to a licensed premises in another city or county, without regard to local laws of intermediate localities to the contrary.

Imposition and collection of taxes and fees

Allows the collection of taxes specifically to allow local governments to raiserevenue or to offset any costs associated with marijuana regulation.

Authorization of criminal and civil penalties

Maintains existing laws against selling drugs to a minor and driving under the influence.

Maintains an employer’s right to address consumption of marijuana that affects an employee’s job performance.

Maintain existing laws against interstate or international transportation of marijuana.

Any person who is licensed, permitted or authorized to sell marijuana, who knowingly sells or gives away marijuana to someone under the age of 21 results in them being banned from owning, operating, or being employed by a licensed marijuana establishment for one year.

Any person who is licensed, permitted or authorized to sell marijuana, who knowingly sells or gives away marijuana to someone older the age of 18 but younger than 21, shall be imprisoned in county jail for up to six months and fined up to $1,000 per offense.

Any person who is licensed, permitted or authorized to sell marijuana, who knowingly sells or gives away marijuana to someone age 14 to 17, shall be imprisoned in state prison for a period of three, four, or five years.

Any person who is licensed, permitted or authorized to sell marijuana, who knowingly sells or gives away marijuana to someone under the age of 14, shall be imprisoned in state prison for a period of three, five, or seven years

Fiscal impact

In the time leading to 2010, California’s state government’s budget deficit has grown to be the largest of all American states. The State Board of Equalization has estimated that imposing a $50 per ounce levy on marijuana sales could generate $1.4 billion a year in new tax revenue, thus generating a large amount of revenue at a time when the state is experiencing financial pressure.

According to the States Legislative Analyst’s office the following fiscal impact would result from the bill:

Result in significant savings to state and local governments, potentially up to several tens of millions of dollars annually due to reduction of individuals incarcerated, on probation or on parole.

Cells currently being used to house marijuana offenders could be used for other criminals, many of whom are now being released early because of a lack of jail space.

Major reduction in state and local costs for enforcement of marijuana-related offenses and the handling of related criminal cases in the court system, providing the opportunity for funds to be used to enforce other existing criminal laws.

Potential increase in the costs of substance abuse programs due to speculated increase in usage of marijuana, possibly having the effect of reducing spending on mandatory treatment for some criminal offenders, or result in the redirection of these funds for other offenders.

The measure could potentially reduce both the costs and offsetting revenues of the state’s medical marijuana program as some adults over 21 would be less likely to participate in the existing program as obtaining marijuana would be easier for those patients.

The measure would provide the opportunity for significant additional revenues as the result of the taxation of sales and businesses engaged in commerce relating to marijuana.

There would be a reduction in fines collected under current state law but a possible increase in local civil fines authorized by existing local laws.

The cumulative effect on fines is largely unknown.

We support the efforts of the Reddit community to engage in discussion about this important issue.

The Right will have you believe that marijuana is somehow evil. The Palin “fish packers” and Glenn Beck “fudge packers” will have you believe that alcohol is evil.

The conservative Christian right will have you believe that all things are evil unless you are saved. Bang your bible, beat your child, do it in the name of heaven because it will justify it in the end. A great sigh should resonate here.

Should we deny those who suffer from the side effects of chemo-therapy and radiation, the benefit of cannabis?

Have you ever watched someone you love lose their hair because of the drugs?

Have you ever cried in the night because someone you loved can’t stop spitting up their guts?

Have you ever escaped the pleasure of dreams as a result of the reality of your best friend/partner coughing up their lungs?

Have you ever been tired of living because someone close to you will end their living?

Make life easier for those we love. Marijuana can relieve some of those horrible side effects and add time to those who have no time.

VOTE YES! VOTE YES! VOTE YES!

We at MMA SUPPORT CALIFORNIA’S PROPOSITION 19. It is a rational and sensible approach to the growing problem of death by drugs and the sadness that results because of death by lack of drugs.

JUST SAY NOW!!!!

It is time for Propostion 19…California. The leader state. Lead us out of the wilderness. VOTE YES ON PROP.19 ON November 2, 2010.

