Developing CollaborativeDeveloping CollaborativeSolutions Solutions

PresenterPresenter

John RedmanJohn RedmanExecutive DirectorExecutive Director

Californians For Drug-Free YouthCalifornians For Drug-Free YouthDirectorDirector

California HIDTA’sCalifornia HIDTA’s

Connecting People . . . Changing Communities

OverviewOverview

Prop 19, what happened

CA 2012

Other 2012 State Marijuana Initiatives

Celebration / Challenges

NORML’S 2013 Conference

Federal Response

Future Legalization Plans

Our Next Steps

Introduction

March 24, 2010, the Tax Cannabis 2010 campaign gathered enough signatures needed to qualify for the

California ballot. On June 28, 2010, Secretary of state Debra Bowen announced the proposition number for the measure set to appear on the

November 2, 2010, Statewide General Election Ballot.

Prop 19Prop 19 The Regulate, Control and Tax The Regulate, Control and Tax

Cannabis act of 2010.Cannabis act of 2010.

Richard LeeRichard Lee

Owner: Oaksterdam University,Owner: Oaksterdam University,

The Bulldog Coffee ShopThe Bulldog Coffee Shop

Four campaign committees were Four campaign committees were officially registered as supporting a officially registered as supporting a

"yes" vote on Proposition 19."yes" vote on Proposition 19.

"Yes on 19. Tax Cannabis 2010. Sponsored by S.K. Seymour LLC, a Medical Cannabis Provider, dba Oaksterdam University, a Cannabis Educator“

"Drug Policy Action Committee to Tax and Regulate Marijuana - Yes on Proposition 19“

"Credo Victory Fund - Yes on 19“

"Students for Sensible Drug Policy, David Bronner, Adam Eidinger, and Alan Amsterdam Committee to Regulate Cannabis - Yes on 19"

Supporters-IndividualsSupporters-IndividualsGary E. Johnson: former two term Republican Governor of New MexicoJoycelyn Elders: former United States Surgeon GeneralGeorge Miller: current Democratic House Representative from California's 7th congressional districtBarbara Lee: current Democratic House Representative from California's 9th congressional districtPete Stark: current Democratic House Representative from California's 13th congressional districtJohn Dennis: 2010 Republican Congressional candidate for California's 8th congressional districtDan Hamburg: former Democratic House Representative from California's 1st congressional districtDon Perata:former Democratic President pro tempore of the California State SenateMark Leno: current Democratic member of the California State SenateTom Ammiano: current Democratic member of the California State AssemblyJorge Castañeda Gutman: former Secretary of Foreign Affairs of MexicoLarry Bedard: former President of the American College of Emergency PhysiciansTom Bates: current Mayor of Berkeley, CaliforniaJames P. Gray: former Superior Court judge of Orange CountyJohn A. Russo: current City Attorney of Oakland, CaliforniaPaul Gallegos: current District Attorney of Humboldt County, CaliforniaJeffrey Schwartz: former Senior District Attorney and Prosecutor of Humboldt County, CaliforniaTerence Hallinan: former District Attorney of San Francisco, CaliforniaMike Schmier: former District Attorney of Los Angeles, California and California Administrative Law JudgeNorm Stamper:former Seattle, Washington police chiefJoseph McNamara: Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution and former Chief of Police of San Jose, CaliforniaStephen Downing: former Los Angeles, California police chiefDavid Doodridge: former Los Angeles, California narcotics detectiveEd Rosenthal: cannabis activist and columnistMarc Emery: cannabis activist and former cannabis seed seller[20]

Supporters-OrganizationsSupporters-OrganizationsCalifornia NAACPOakland City CouncilBerkeley City CouncilHumboldt County Board of SupervisorsCalifornia NORMLDrug Policy AllianceMarijuana Policy ProjectAmerican Federation of TeachersNational Black Police AssociationNational Latino Officers AssociationLaw Enforcement Against ProhibitionACLU of Northern CaliforniaACLU of San DiegoUnited Food and Commercial Workers UnionCommunications Workers of America, Local 9415International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Northern California District CouncilService Employees International Union of CaliforniaInterfaith Drug Policy InitiativeLos Angeles County Democratic PartySan Francisco Democratic PartyAlameda County Democratic PartyMonterey County Democratic PartySanta Barbara County Democratic PartyCalifornia Young DemocratsRepublican Liberty CaucusGreen Party of CaliforniaUnited States Libertarian PartyLeague of United Latin American Citizens

Supporter Donor Amount

S.K. Seymour, LLC / Oaksterdam $1,528,932George Soros $1,000,000Peter Lewis $ 218,505Paul Buchheit $ 105,000Philip Harvey $ 100,000Sean Parker $ 100,000Richard Mazess $ 100,000Kevin Bright $ 75,000Stephen M. Silberstien $ 70,000Peter Thie $ 70,000

Sub-Total $3,367,437

Other $ 673,144

Grand Total $4,050,581

Six campaign committees registered Six campaign committees registered with the California Secretary of State to with the California Secretary of State to spend money to defeat Proposition 19.spend money to defeat Proposition 19.

Public Safety First - No on Proposition 19, a Project of California Public Safety First

Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana, a Committee Against Proposition 19

Communities in Action, a Committee Against Proposition 19

Nip It In The Bud: No on Proposition 19

Associated General Contractors Issues Political Action Committee Opposing Proposition 19

Crusades for Patients Rights - No on Prop 19 Sponsored by Canna Care

Opponents-IndividualsOpponents-Individuals

Dianne Feinstein: U.S. SenatorLaura Dean-Mooney: National President, Mothers Against Drunk DrivingSteve Cooley: District Attorney, Los Angeles CountyKamala Harris: District Attorney, San FranciscoKevin Nida: President, California State Firefighters AssociationSenator Barbara Boxer Senator Dianne FeinsteinSenate candidate Carly FiorinaRepublican gubernatorial candidate Meg WhitmanDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry BrownGov. Arnold SchwarzeneggerAttorney General Candidate Kamala HarrisAttorney General Candidate Steve Cooley

Opponents-OrganizationsOpponents-Organizations

The National Black Churches Initiative"Fight Crime, Invest In Kids"The National Association of Drug Court ProfessionalsDARE AmericaCoalition for a Drug-Free CaliforniaMothers Against Drunk Drivingthe California Narcotics Officers AssociationCalifornia Police Chiefs AssociationThe California Cannabis AssociationThe League of California Cities

Opposition Donor Amount

Julie Schauer $ 50,000California Police Chiefs Association $ 49,999San Manuel Band of Mission Indians $ 25,000California Narcotics Officers Association $ 20,500California Beer & Beverage Distributors $ 10,000

Sub-Total $155,499

Other $164,500

Grand Total $319,999

Proposition 19 ResultsProposition 19 ResultsDefeatedDefeated

Vote tally: (as of November 16, 2010)No votes: 5,061,119Yes votes: 4,366,381 Difference: 694,738 (No votes)54% to 46%

PollsPolls

Date of Poll Pollster In favor Opposed UndecidedAPR 20, 2010 SurveyUSA 56% 42% 3%

MAY16, 2010 PPIC 49% 48% 3%

JUL 5, 2010 Field 44% 48% 8%

JUL 25, 2010 PPP 52% 36% 12%

JUL11, 2010 SurveyUSA 50% 40% 11%

SEP 1, 2010 SurveyUSA 47% 43% 10%

SEP 21, 2010 Field 49% 42% 9%

SEP 21, 2010 SurveyUSA 47% 42% 11%

SEP 26, 2010 PPIC 52% 41% 7%

OCT 4, 2010 Reuters/lpsos 43% 53% 3%

OCT 17, 2010 PPIC 44% 49% 7%

OCT 20, 2010 LA TIMES/USC 39% 51% 10%

OCT 26, 2010 Field 42% 49% 9%

The YES InitiativeThe YES Initiative

A “Yes Campaign” has to convince voters that:  1. Not only is the problem their measure seeks to solve a serious issue that demands immediate attention, but  2. That their proposed solution is THE BEST way to do it.

The rebuttal The rebuttal

This two-step process puts the Yes side at a disadvantage. To defeat a yes measure, opponents usually have two ways to make their case: 1. They can point out that the problem is not really that important relative to other priorities 2. They can agree the problem needs solving but that this particular ballot measure is the wrong solution.  In a marijuana battle we have yet another potential message track 3. That a particular state can’t afford the harm this initiative will cause.

Opposition IssuesOpposition Issues

So, what are the assets the proponents usually count on to lead them to victory? They preach that the War on Drugs is a failure for the following reasons:  

•Our state is facing a fiscal crisis and we can’t afford to waste precious dollars on needless law enforcement activities.

•Why not capitalize on that underground revenue stream, legalize it and collect tax dollars from it?

•Marijuana is a benign drug that harms no one and arresting anyone for marijuana use or sales does more harm to the individual than the marijuana itself.

•If we legalize it, tax it, and regulate it we can keep it out of the hands of youth.

•Legalizing marijuana will eliminate the drug cartels and end the carnage in Mexico.

 

Initiative Success RateInitiative Success Rate

One thing to keep in mind as we go forward is that a lot of initiatives start out with high approval numbers,

YET TWO-THIRDS OF ALL BALLOT INITIATIVES FAIL.

Assurance: NoneAssurance: None

BUT THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT A PARTICULAR MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION MEASURE WILL GO DOWN TO DEFEAT WITHOUT AN ADEQUATE OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN.

Three Phases

Phase 1 Jan – March (research / develop)– Build the Campaign Team– Established the Campaign Structure– Draft a Plan– Research Public Opinion– Research Opposition Position– Developed Materials –Launched Website– Develop Fundraising Plan

Three PhasesPhase 2 Apr – Jul (generate capacity)– Launch Fundraising Campaign– Meetings w/ Key Allies & Civic Groups– Generate Grassroots Outreach & Recruitment– Draft the Ballot Argument– Build Media Relations

Monthly Op Eds.Letters to the EditorAction Letters to Public Officials and Departments

– Generate Public Media EventsTown Hall meetingsCommunity ForumsRally's DebatesInterviewsPresentations to Community Groups & Organizations

Three Phases

Phase 3 Aug – Nov (get the word out)– Voter Contact– Disseminate Your Message Through

- The Airwaves- PSA’s- Print Ads- Direct Mail- Earned media- Town Hall meetings- Debates- Op Eds

New PartnershipNew Partnership

Left: Asian community supports no on 19 with traveling billboard and megaphone.

Right: John Redman and Paul Chang speak out against Prop 19 at the Asian Correspondence Conference September 1, 2010.

New PartnershipsNew Partnerships

Press Conference: July 7, 2010 Sacrament West steps of the Capitol

African American Faith Based Community Speak out Against Legalization

DebatesDebates

October 15 debate at Loyola Law

SchoolFrom the left:

Stephen Gutwillig, Drug Policy

Alliance, John Redman,

Communities in Action

Electronic MediaElectronic Media

Interview on KUSI, San DiegoJohn Redman of Communities in Action debates

Gretchen Burns Bergman of A New Path

Support From PolicymakersSupport From Policymakers

October 29th Press Conference, Glendale, CA

From the left: John Redman, Alexandra Datig, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Bishop Ron Allen

Press ConferencesPress Conferences

From the left: Hon. Nate Holden, MADD, Pasadena Recovery Center, R. Gil Kerlikowske,

John Redman, Sheriff Lee Baca, CNOA Director Joe Stewart

Recruit Unlikely PartnersRecruit Unlikely Partners

2012 Expectations from the 2012 Expectations from the LegalizersLegalizers

• Protect Medical Marijuana Rights• Don’t over-penalize 18-25 year olds• Integrate illegal growers into the market• Increase the Fear of Prohibition over legalization• Stop Portraying MJ as a bad thing that must be controlled• Be realistic about what legalization can accomplish• Legalize first, test later• You can’t treat it like alcohol unless you can test it• Consistent statewide regulation• Distance legalization from Medical Marijuana

Meeting in Colorado 1st quarter Debate training SFNational Strategy

ResultResult

Former Presidents of Brazil , Colombia , Mexico and Switzerland, Prime Minister of Greece , Kofi Annan, Richard Branson, George Shultz, Paul Volcker, Mario Vargas Llosa and Other Leaders Call for Major Paradigm Shift in Global Drug Policy

Commission of World Leaders Urges End to Failed Drug War,Fundamental Reforms of Global Drug Prohibition Regime including the legalization of Marijuana

Global Commission on Drug PolicyReport Released June 1, 2011

ResultResult

Institute of the Black WorldReport Released June 17, 2011

The IBW calls for an end to the “War on Drugs,” and hosted a forum looking at the impact of those policies on the African American community.  Speakers include the Reverend Jesse Jackson, as well as John Conyers (D-MI), the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee.

The Institute of the Black World 21st Century Declares War On The “War on Drugs” A Petition to Recruit an Army of Advocates and Organizers To End a Failed Strategy and Create Just and Humane Alternatives

ResultResult

Institute of the Black World

Report Released June 17, 2011

The Institute of the Black World 21st Century Declares War On The “War on Drugs” A Petition to Recruit an Army of Advocates and Organizers To End a Failed Strategy and Create Just and Humane Alternatives

California ResultCalifornia Result66 legalization initiatives in CAlegalization initiatives in CA

•The Regulate Marijuana like Wine Act of 2012• Failed to Qualify 4/6/2012

•Reduce Marijuana Penalties Initiative Statute• Failed to Qualify 4/18/2012

•Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act of 2012• Failed to Qualify 4/19/2012

•CA Medical Marijuana Regulation Control and Taxation Act

• Withdrew for Circulation,•Exact Language used for AB2312

•California Cannabis Hemp and Health Initiative• Circulation Deadline 6/4/2012

•Medical marijuana Patient Associations Initiative Statute

• Circulation Deadline 8/16 2012

The New Prop 19

The AuthorsCoalition of Cannabis Policy Reform

Dale Jones – ChairAllice Huffman – Vice ChairTom Angell – Media Relations Director LEAP

Previously Students for Sensible Drug PolicyGraham Boyd – Visiting fellow, Criminal Justice Center, Stanford

Previously, Founder ACLU Drug Law Reform ProjectDavid Bronner – President Dr. Bronner’s Magic SoapsAntonio Gonzalez – President, William C. Velasquez InstituteStephen Gutwillig – California Director, Drug Police AllianceJeff Jones – Marijuana ActivistRichard Lee – Founder / President, Oaksterdam UniversityDan Rush – Special Operations Director for United Food and

Commercial Workers Union (UFCW)

2012 Marijuana Initiatives in 2012 Marijuana Initiatives in Other StatesOther States

On November 6, 2012, Colorado and Washington voters approved the legalization of marijuana.In Massachusetts voters approved a medical marijuana initiative.

In Oregon and Arkansas, voters defeated reform measures. In Montana, voters approved the legislature's decision to restrict the state's medical marijuana law. 

Arkansas

Issue 5: Authorize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

LOSS: 48.56%-51.44%

Colorado

Amendment 64: Allow the personal possession and cultivation of marijuana by adults who are 21 and older and allow regulated sales.

WIN: 55.33%-44.67%

Massachusetts

Question 3: Authorize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

WIN: 63.33%-36.67%

Oregon

Measure 80: Repeal Oregon's marijuana prohibition and replace it with a system of taxation and regulation.

LOSS: 46.58%-53.42%

Washington

Initiative 502: Allow the possession of an ounce of marijuana by adults who are 21 and older and allow regulated sales.

WIN: 55.70%-44.30% 

TitleTitle

Pot smokers gather under Seattle's Space Pot smokers gather under Seattle's Space Needle to celebrate legalization of marijuanaNeedle to celebrate legalization of marijuanaNBC NEWSNBC NEWS

Dustin, left and Paul, both from Puyallup, Wash., and both of whom wouldn't give their last name, smoke marijuana beneath the Space Needle shortly after midnight on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, in Seattle, Wash. Dustin and Paul were two of about 100 pot smokers gathered in Seattle's City Center to celebrate the legalization of the possession of marijuana.

TitleTitle

Garth Carroll, who also goes by the name of "Professor Gizmo," smokes what he describes as "good, greenhouse organic herb" at the base of the Space Needle in Seattle just before midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Carroll is a medical marijuana patient and marijuana activist in Seattle.

TitleTitle

"It's too good to be just for the young," said 67-year-old Pat Edmonson about the marijuana cigarette she smoked just after midnight on Thursday, Dec. 6, in Seattle. Edmonson, of Whidbey Island, Wash., was in Seattle with her daughter to celebrate the legalization of the possession of marijuana.

4 Year Strategy 4 Year Strategy California NORML‘s 2013 California NORML‘s 2013

ConferenceConference “Cannabis in California: Ending the “Cannabis in California: Ending the

100-Year War“,100-Year War“,

January 28, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO — Energized by pot legalization in Colorado and Washington, marijuana law reformers revealed huge plans Sunday for the next four years in the U.S.

Exit Polls Show…

those who voted “No” on 2010 California legalization initiative Prop 19:

- 39 percent had friends that smoked pot; - 34 percent were past pot users; - and fifteen percent said they supported legalization.

Prop 19 lost by about 400,000 votes, representing just a fraction of the pro-legalizers, former smokers and their friends who voted against their own self-interest.

Rebuild Their BaseRebuild Their Base

Troubling base defections drove calls for vigorous and renewed base-building, and a new unity among ever-bickering pro-legalization factions in 2013.

Pollster Graham Boyd delivered the sobering Prop 19 exit poll numbers “Lessons from Washington, Colorado & Prop 19″ panel that included: Colorado Amendment 64 campaign co-director Mason TvertWashington Initiative 592 director Alison Holcomb Prop 19 founder Richard LeeDrug Policy Alliance senior attorney Tamar Todd

Prop 19 failed to carry pot-growing epicenter Humboldt County, with 53 percent of Humboldters voting “no” on decriminalization.

A Call for UnityA Call for Unity

Losses have humbled them and they are now committed to working together as part of the

Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform.

“Folks in this room are the core of the base. It is going to be vitally important that we do the work of building a coalition that

holds together,” Boyd said.The unity theme was widely echoed. Mason Tvert urged

California activists to “take the next couple of years to get people ready.”

The 4 Year PlanThe 4 Year Plan

President Rob Kampia outlined an ambitious four-year agenda for the MPP. Kampia said pot legalization in California in 2016 is going to cost $14 million.

Kampia called California legalization in 2016 “ours to lose” in either one of two ways: too radical of an initiative; or severe infighting amongst legalizers.

Legalization in Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont by 2016 will cost $9 million, Kampia said.

“It really only takes 23 rich guys who can write $1 million checks, and I know 23 rich guys who can write million dollar checks,” Kampia said.

Nov. 2016 “is going to make this last November look boring,” he concluded.

CA LegislationCA Legislation

State Senator Mark Leno and Rep. Tom Ammiano brought political gravitas to the conference, as well as a sense of fear from Sacramento about all things pot.

Medical marijuana industry regulations will be discussed this February in the state Senate, but Leno said his colleagues are “afraid of their own shadows” when it comes to the popular herb.

Rep. Ammiano said 28 new representatives in the Assembly should be open to marijuana law reform, but all efforts face powerful opposition, chiefly from the: California Narcotic Officers Association; and California Police Chiefs Association.

Additional OppositionAdditional Opposition

The League of California Cities is also aggressively pushing dispensary bans in the name of local control, Ammiano said.

Meanwhile the California Chamber of Commerce wants to ensure employers can keep firing workers for weekend or vacation pot use, Leno said.

Amiano’s PredictionsAmiano’s Predictions

Rep. Ammiano said California medical marijuana crackdown would end “soon”, either with the transfer of US Attorney Melinda Haag or the resignation of Attorney General Holder.

Rep. Ammiano thanked Washington and Colorado for “massaging things” and called Ms. Haag’s closure of scores of licensed Bay Area dispensaries “drone strikes” and a “jihad”

HarborsideHarborside

Harborside Health Center attorney Henry Wykowski said the world’s largest marijuana dispensary will remain open by federal order, and the Oakland club intends to vanquish Ms. Haag in a juried Bay Area trial, which could set nationwide precedent.

The 300 or so people in the room Saturday erupted into cheers, and the large convention hall took on the aura of a Southern Baptist revival. All that was missing was an organist and a choir.

A Random Note

Sen. Leno said that if he ever has the honor of serving San Francisco in the House of Representatives, he would “make marijuana issues a priority”. Sen. Leno is termed out in four years. Rep. Pelosi faces no term limits.

By CHARLIE SAVAGEPublished: December 6, 2012

Federal officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. Several cautioned that the issue had raised complex legal and policy considerations — including enforcement priorities, litigation strategy and the impact of international antidrug treaties — that remain unresolved, and that no decision was imminent.

The United States Attorney in Seattle, Jenny A. Durkan warned Washington residents that the drug remained illegal.

“In enacting the Controlled Substances Act, Congress determined that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance,” she said. “Regardless of any changes in state law, including the change that will go into effect on December 6 in Washington State, growing, selling or possessing any amount of marijuana remains illegal under federal law.”

Ms. Durkan’s statement also hinted at the deliberations behind closed doors, saying: “The Department of Justice is reviewing the legalization initiatives recently passed in Colorado and Washington State. The department’s responsibility to enforce the Controlled Substances Act remains unchanged.”

Future Legalization PlansFuture Legalization Plans

DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA IN VERMONT

Gov. Pete Shumlin (D), a strong supporter of decriminalizing marijuana, partially campaigned on the issue and easily won reelection on November 6 with 58% of the vote. The Vermont legislature is poised to pass the bill he wants, so this legislation could become law by this summer.

LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Incoming Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) is a strong supporter of medical marijuana, she is expected to sign a medical marijuana bill similar to those vetoed by former Gov. John Lynch (D) in 2009 and 2012.

BUILD SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZATION IN THE

RHODE ISLAND LEGISLATURE

Medical marijuana was legalized and marijuana possession was decriminalized in Rhode Island in 2009 and 2012, respectively.

There is now considerable momentum to tax and regulate (T&R) marijuana like alcohol, and Rhode Island’s state legislature could become the first to do so.

BUILD SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZATION IN

CALIFORNIA, MAINE, AND OREGON 

There will be a sincere effort to pass T&R bills through the legislatures in these three states. Should they fall short, MPP and its allies will pursue statewide ballot initiatives in November 2016, at which time all three will be expected to pass.  

BUILD SUPPORT ONLINE

 People have said that the Internet is marijuana legalization’s best friend, and this could not have been more evident than it was last year. Campaigns mobilized their supporters, organizations raised funds, and the public was able to follow the progress in real time.

Prohibitionists, who have depended on the government for its largess for years, are now at a disadvantage. Private citizens simply do not want to donate to them, and most information about marijuana is now reaching the public without being run through their filter.

CONTINUE THE STEADY DRUMBEAT IN THE MEDIA 

National and local media outlets are covering the marijuana issue more than ever before.

Communicating to voters through news coverage is the most cost-efficient way to increase public support for ending marijuana prohibition.

BUILD SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

IN CONGRESS

There are already approximately 185 members of the U.S. House who want to stop the U.S. Justice Department from spending taxpayer money on raiding medical marijuana businesses in the 18 states (and D.C.) where medical marijuana is legal.

They want to reach 218 votes on this amendment, thereby ensuring the amendment's transfer to the U.S. Senate for an up-or-down vote.

BUILD SUPPORT FOR ENDING MARIJUANA PROHIBITION IN

CONGRESS

Last year, the first-ever bill to legalize marijuana attracted 21 sponsors. Their goal is

to expand the number of sponsors to more than two-dozen during the 2013-2014 election

season.

ChallengesChallenges

•Normalization in popular culture

•Lack of anti-marijuana news coverage

•Organized Marijuana legalization effort

•Few prevention strategies specifically focused on marijuana

•Widespread ambivalence, misinformation among youth, parents and society in general

Our PlanOur Plan

What We Need to BuildWhat We Need to Build

A Standing Army of A Standing Army of United Professionals Supporting United Professionals Supporting

Sound Drug PolicySound Drug Policy

Thank YouThank You

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ImplementationImplementation

Puget Sound Business Journal

Jan 22, 2013

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is advising the State Liquor Control Board to move forward on initial steps for creating a legal recreational marijuana market after a visit in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

Washington StateWashington State

June 1st

Seeds in the Ground

December 1st

Pot Shops to open

ChallengesChallenges

Information

Amendment 64: Business organizations ask Amendment 64: Business organizations ask feds to clamp down on Colorado marijuana feds to clamp down on Colorado marijuana measuremeasureBy By Sam Levin Wed., Dec. 5 2012 Wed., Dec. 5 2012

Now, a coalition of business groups opposed to legalization is urging the federal government to enforce the Controlled Substances Act.

The coalition is made up of twenty business organizations across the state, mainly chambers of commerce and economic development corporations. This group has put its message into letters to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and President Barack Obama, as well as Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and Attorney General John Suthers, asking them for their support.