Home Alone Stoned: A Cute Cannabis Legalization Video + The Truth About Prop 19

Proposition 19 - The New Leaf from ISHOTHIM on Vimeo.

The last post was about why not to vote for Prop 19, so it is only appropriate to provide some counter arguments and show why you should vote for Prop 19.

noonproposition19.com claims:

"If an employer allows employees cigarette smoking breaks and/or certain areas in which cigarette smoking is allowed, they would have to allow marijuana smoking as well."

This is a lie to make you think your co-workers will be stoned all day. Prop19 clearly states that it's not intended to effect "any law prohibiting use of controlled substances in the workplace or by specific persons whose jobs involve public safety." Marijuana use will be treated like alcohol when it comes to the workplace.

noonproposition19.com claims:

"The initiative expressly omits any definition of what constitutes being "under the influence" of marijuana. No driver over 21, including bus, taxi, light rail train operators, or everyday commuters can be required to be drug-free while operating a vehicle. Although the initiative says you cannot use marijuana while driving, it is completely permissible to use marijuana just prior to getting behind the wheel.

This also opens up a tremendous liability question for employers who operate transportation companies or have company vehicles. They will no longer be able to require employees operating these vehicles be drug free."

The Prop19 initiative specifically states in the first paragraph that the proposition "Maintains current prohibitions against driving while impaired." It goes on to specify that it does not effect "Vehicle Code section 23152 [relating to driving while under the influence]" or "any law prohibiting use of controlled substances in the workplace or by specific persons whose jobs involve public safety."

stop19.com claims:

"Prop 19 will likely supersede prop 215, adversely affecting medical cannabis users by dictating grow size, possession amount, patient to patient sales, and location of use."

Prop 19 will not supersede Prop 215 meaning medical marijuana patients are not effected by prop19 at all. You can read more about it Here.

stop19.com claims:

"Prop 19 will lead to the walmartization of the cannabis industry. And unfortunately, this will result in lower quality and fixed prices."

Just like microbrews in the beer industry, the small growers producing quality product will thrive. Californians have access to some of the best marijuana in the world, it's unlikely that they'll drop their standards and switch to cheap, low quality marijuana.

stop19.com claims:

"Do you grow cannabis with a doctor recommendation? Prop 19 will likely be interpreted by law enforcement and judges to limit your grow space to 5'x5'".

Limiting the amount of marijuana plants a medical patient can grow has been ruled unconstitutional by the supreme court. Prop 19 does not change the constitution and does not effect prop 215 patients. Stop19.com is trying to scare prop 215 patients into voting no. Nearly everything about prop 215 patients on stop19.com is a lie. Don't be fooled, prop 19 will not effect prop 215 patients.

Many Prop19 blogs are claiming:

"There will be a $50 tax on every ounce of cannabis sold."

Under Prop 19 the tax on marijuana sales will be determined by local governments. The $50 an ounce tax is actually part of a different proposition that may be on the ballot in 2012.

Countless anti-marijuana critics have claimed:

"One joint is equal to 20 cigarettes."

Critics often exaggerate the dangers of marijuana use by misquoting a study which found that daily marijuana smokers experienced an increase in airflow resistance in the large airways similar to someone smoking 16 cigarettes per day. What the critics don't tell you is; that same study concluded that marijuana does not cause cancer.

A recent study by RAND claims:

"Legalizing the production and distribution of marijuana in California could cut the price of the drug by as much as 80 percent"

If this were true the price of an ounce will be around $50. At that price the growers would be giving it away for free.
The truth is Californians are used to middle to high grade marijuana that costs money to grow. If you factor in the costs of growing, a profit for the farmer, and a profit for the person/establishment selling it, there is no way it will go to $50 an ounce unless Californian's suddenly decide to drop their standards and switch to low grade marijuana. Nobody expects that except maybe RAND.

Anti-marijuana groups often claim:

"Marijuana has more cancer causing chemicals than tobacco"

Although marijuana does contain carcinogens there have been no known cases of marijuana use causing cancer. In 2006 there were 5 studies that all concluded that marijuana does not cause cancer. In fact some of the studies suggest that marijuana actually prevents cancer. They even suggest that tobacco smokers are less likely to get cancer if they also smoke marijuana.

The United States Government claims:

"Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance with no known medical benefits."

Marijuana has many accepted medical benefits. Fourteen states have legalized cannabis for medical purposes. Medical marijuana has been prescribed by doctors for a variety of different ailments including: