California Assembly Committee Votes to Legalize Marijuana
By Paul Armentano
Lawmakers on the California Assembly, Committee on Public Safety, voted 4 to 3 today in favor of Assembly Bill 390: The Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act — which seeks to legalize the production, distribution, and personal use of marijuana for adults age 21 and older. The vote is first time since 1913, when California became one of the first states in the nation to criminalize the use and possession of marijuana, that lawmakers have called for the repeal of cannabis prohibition.
“Today’s vote marks the first time in nearly a century that California lawmakers have reassessed this failed criminal policy,” said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano. “Any risks presented by the use of marijuana by adults falls within the ambit of choice we should permit individuals in a free society. It’s time replace the failings of marijuana prohibition with a policy of legalization, regulation and education. Today’s vote is a significant, albeit first step in this direction.”
Further Committee votes on AB 390 are unlikely to take place this session because of legislative calendar restraints. However, the bill’s sponsor, San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, said that he would likely reintroduce a similar version of the bill later this month.
Registered supporters for the measure included: the AFL-CIO, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the California Public Defenders Association, among others.
Registered opponents of the bill included: the California Fraternal Order of Police, the California Narcotics Officers Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the California Peace Officers’ Association, and the California District Attorneys Association.
Voting ‘yes’ on the bill were Ammiano, Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael and Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. Voting no were Assemblyman Warren Furutani, D-Gardena (Los Angeles County), Assemblyman Danny Gilmore, R-Hanford (Kings County) and Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills (San Bernardino County).
Archived footage of today’s historic vote is available on the California Channel here.
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My only question is why has it taken so long. I figured out when I was twelve that all the government propaganda was lies. Funny thing is I heard them again today on Hanity on Fox News, Geraldo was pro legalization however one woman stated that pot was worse than tobacco at causing cancer and that our children would have more access. both of those are wrong it was much easier for me to get pot than alcohol when i was underage and curent studies show pot doesnt cause cancer only one showed that cronic use would. So maybe the tide has turned despite the lies still being perpetuated.
Mainly because of busybody attitudes that support prohibition, distorted information about health risks and behavioral dysfunctions, and a government bureaucracy trying to keep itself alive after alcohol prohibition was defunct in the mid 1930s.
You're right that the opinion asserting that cannabis is more carcinogenic than tobacco is nonsense. The leaves have more tar per gram than tobacco, but the flowers have less than half, and everyone knows an ounce of bud is worth more than a pound of shake (leaves). But the cancer -causing chemicals used to cure tobacco aren't present in grass, plus THC is not physically addictive as nicotine is, though it is habit-forming in some people, especially the young.
I hope you're right that the tide has turned. I'd much rather the cops spend their energy going after robbers, rapists, and killers than chasing stoners. The war on drugs is a complete failure.
Today is the first time in U.S. history that a bill to tax and regulate marijuana ever made it to a state legislative committee, and it passed with a majority of the vote !
After hearing from advocates — including Beverly Hills NORML90210.org— the Assembly Public Safety Committee voted 4-3 in support of A.B. 390, the landmark legislation authored by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco).
California has a reputation for leading the nation in bold policy changes, and we've only seen the beginning of marijuana policy reform there.
We'll continue to work toward ending the war on responsible marijuana users in California and elsewhere, but we need your help. We're making history! Are you a member of Beverly Hills NORML ?
Respectfully,
Cheryl Shuman
Executive Director
Beverly Hills NORML 90210
a quick check of the opponents will tell you that the only ones against this bill are the drain on America's resources. The above organizations stand to lose millions in government subsidies.
Whether the bill dies in committee or not,the passage of a bill for the legalization of marijuana by any legislative committee is a first and serves as a warning shot across the bow of the US congress .
And it will be heard all over the world.
It signals the end of the prohibition that is costing this country a continuous loss of resources and ruining the lives of non-violent
freedom loving people.