Furthermore, YES on 64

These are my thoughts and reactions concerning the pro-cannabis but no on 64 campaign:

Every single No on 64 infographic that I’ve seen shared on FB has contained false information about this bill. And I just think… If there is a good reason to be against it, why aren’t the facts good enough? Why is the No on 64 campaign using lies to mislead people who are pro-marijuana to vote against their own self interest? And I heard repeatedly from that camp “read the bill”. So I read all 62 pages. It was exhausting; it was the only time I’ve ever read the whole text of a bill before voting on it. (But it won’t be the last.) And then when I had read it, I came away thinking this is a GREAT bill; this is going to do SO much good for California, for social justice. I want that. Yes on 64.

My perception is that the pro-cannabis No on 64 view is one of middle class privilege. My experience from that middle class privilege was that I started smoking herb at 16 years old, as much as I wanted, when and where I wanted; and I was never stopped, never searched, never arrested, never prosecuted, never fined, never jailed. So, for me in my middle class privilege bubble it was de-facto legal. And I watched friends and neighbors grow and sell the plant, make lots of money, buy cars and houses and land.

But living in the Emerald Triangle, I did know people who were arrested and spent time in jail and had to pay fines. And I also know that every year someone (or more than one someone) is murdered for the plant and for the money as a result of being involved in an illegal trade.

All those times that I enjoyed not being prosecuted, other people were. It has been illegal the whole time.

The No on 64 anti-cannabis propaganda that I’ve seen up here from law enforcement and even the Board of Education, SMH, is literally a throw back to reefer madness in the early days of prohibition. So ignorant. Legalization carries with it the opportunity to educate and open the hearts and minds of those who oppose the plant because of misinformation.

One last thing, I feel zero anger or disappointment towards my pro-cannabis friends and family who have decided to vote No. I think they are just afraid. They rightly do not want oppression towards the plant or the people that love enjoy and even need it for medicine. Fear is understandable. Prohibition has created those fears; they are justified.

And if I know one thing, it’s that I know nothing at all. I could be wrong. So no pressure, no judgement. I love you all.

As always, I love to hear hoots and hollers from all of you. What do you think about marijuana legalization in general? Do you live in a state that has legal medical cannabis; what is that like in your state? Or do you live in a state like Washington, Oregon, or Colorado that has legalized recreational marijuana as well; what are the effects that you see? Do you live outside the United States; what does this whole debate sound like to you?