Comments on: Just Say Now and the 2012 Election

By: HotFlash

HotFlash — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:48:59 +0000

And their citizens are driving across the border for their weed.

By: 89118

89118 — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:12:32 +0000

Thanks to fdl and jsn. I don’t come around often or donate enough but I am grateful for your efforts. Congratulations on your good works and many thanks to you for them.

By: JohnJ

JohnJ — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 22:47:59 +0000

I don’t think we are going to get much traction with today’s culture talking about the humanity of removing the prohibition.

What will get the states on our side is THE TAX REVENUE!

Once we get the taxes rolling in, I think ALL the states will be scrambling to get their share. Especially when their neighbor states all rolling in money.

By: matthewj

matthewj — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:54:12 +0000

Thanks for all your hard work on this issue. It is very exciting to see the cracks in the wall really starting to appear.

I’m in Minnesota. We don’t have voter initiatives although it is possible for the legislature to refer issues to the voters. We were able to get rid of the republican control of our legislature this year opening the door to progress on this issue. The Democratic legislature actually passed (relatively restricteve) medical marijuana a few years ago but it was vetoed by Tim Pawlenty. Now that we have both a Democratic legislature and governor we should see movement. I’m hoping they will pass medical marijuana again and Dayton will enact it. I’m also hoping they will be willing to refer full legalization / regulation to the voters in 2014 or 2016 if they aren’t willing to enact it outright. Minnesota is ready for a new approach.

By: magilla

magilla — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:42:19 +0000

Hi Jane..
Yes, that’s the conventional wisdom.
But other marijuana initiatives have passed in mid-terms. California passed MMJ in 96, 2 years later Oregon passed MMJ in 98.
The issue brings out younger voters on its own. The other issue is the loss of momentum a four year delay could cause. Giving the opposition more time to do their dirty work and play stall games might hurt the movement as well.
Hey, Oregon’s a cheap date, and just as satisfying at the end of the evening.
How about dinner and a movie?

By: RaggMopp

RaggMopp — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:38:32 +0000

I’m not advocating throwing away money, and I have no idea which way the federal courts would jump, but this seems a perfect opportunity for the Tea Party and the we party to join forces and put the question: What about states rights.

I can’t see where the last two administrations get off saying (essentially), “We don’t care what law you enact at the state level, if we don’t like it we will step in your face.” Be an interesting thesis.

It sure would tie the Roberts’ court’s tail into a pretzel. They’d have to decide between their support of anything government does to restrict individual civil rights, and their cherished states-rights (the song-of-the-south). Might be the the demise of the Republican Party’s “Southern Strategy”. Sure would tickle me to watch.

By: Brian Sonenstein

Brian Sonenstein — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:35:10 +0000

I agree – it seems as though the increased turn out from the general election made a significant impact on support for these initiatives. I think if Prop 19 had happened this year instead of 2010 it might have had a better chance at succeeding because of the momentum of the election. I definitely see Oregon up there in the near future as well. If not 2014, 2016 should be another big year for reform from the voters.

By: magilla

magilla — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:32:42 +0000

P.S.
Good luck on the Oregon Legislature making a move on this issue. It will most likely require another signature drive, and that will require more money.
Still much less expensive than other states, though..

By: Jane Hamsher

Jane Hamsher — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:29:12 +0000

Midterms are always hard because young people tend not to turn out. But maybe with Washington legalizing marijuana Oregon will have an easier time of it.

By: Jane Hamsher

Jane Hamsher — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:28:12 +0000

You, Jon, the campaigns and all the folks who called did an amazing job Brian. And it’s great news that India’s biggest newspaper is calling for legalization there, too. Maybe the dominoes are beginning to tumble.