California Can Win a Big Round in the Fight on November 2nd,
2010
Show your support with a stylish and smart looking t-shirt. The image on the left
transforms the map of California into a cartoon character smoking a marijuana joint and thinking
about the financial benefits of legalizing cannabis. "Eureka" is the California state motto and it
means "I have found it" in Greek. Slide your cursor over the state image to find out what the
black, all-cotton t-shirt looks like on real voters. The shimmer gold ink in the silkscreen
represents the Golden State of California.
Election Closeout. Was
$19.95, now
$9.95 each.
Why legalization makes sense Many people in California already use marijuana on a regular basis. The number has been estimated as high
as 600,000. If those same people spent $200 per month on marijuana, that's 120 million dollars spent per month, or
1.44 billion dollars annually. Except for the medical marijuana sales, it's all done illegally. That means that a
lot of money gets exchanged with no sales tax being charged or income tax paid. The people who make the money
are criminals. A similar thing happened in the 1920s when drinking alcohol was
outlawed. Americans simply bought bootleg liquor. We repealed the law in 1933, but criminals like Al Capone
had already became rich and powerful. By legalizing marijuana, we end the recent "prohibition" and start making
laws that regulate the quality and use of the product just like we do with alcohol. Not only do we start collecting
tax money, but we greatly cut back on the cost of catching, convicting and jailing marijuana criminals. Below
is a video from YouTube debating the issue.
What to expect from the opposition A
lot of people have a vested interest in keeping marijuana illegal. Laws define criminal behaviour. More laws, more
criminals. Fewer laws, fewer criminals. It could simply be that attorneys, law enforcement officers and prison
guards just want to make sure they have jobs. The only problem with that is we as taxpayers foot the bill and money
is in short supply right now.
As we get close to November, expect the opposition to dominate the media with
horror stories about what would happen if marijuana was legalized. Look very closely at their sources
when they start spouting statistics. The numbers they quote may not have been gathered with anything
approaching proper scientific method. We at politicalteezers.com saw this first-hand during city zoning
discussions for medical marijuana cooperatives.
Why you need to vote Voting is the only weapon a regular
citizen really has. With it, you can replace elected officials who don't do what you want. With it, you can
pass laws that you favor and eliminate laws that you don't. Politicians rarely take a stand on anything until they
determine how the voters are leaning. Don't expect them to do anything but try to keep their jobs. Most of them are
terrified of Proposition 19 because if we pass it, there's another fight ahead with the federal
government since marijuana is still illegal at the national level.
If you think marijuana should be legalized, taxed and controlled, vote "Yes on 19." If
you are eligible to vote in California, get registered. Go to the California Secretary of State web page to get the form. Ask for an absentee ballot if you
don't want to go to the polls to vote.
