Can you clear this up for me, proposition 19 is for decriminalization but they plan to tax marijuana?
I thought when you decriminalize something it’s still illegal but there’s a fine, not criminal penalties.
Explain how you can decriminalize something and tax it, which is what I understand proposition 19 to implicate. I’m very confused, I was under the assumption the only way you can tax it is if it’s out right legal. Am I confused here or what am I missing?
It seems like they’re trying to keep it quasi illegal yet tax it? That seems pretty self serving…
Proposition 19, also known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, is a California ballot proposition which will be on the November 2, 2010 California statewide ballot. It legalizes various marijuana-related activities, allows local governments to regulate these activities, permits local governments to impose and collect marijuana-related fees and taxes, and authorizes various criminal and civil penalties.
“Decriminalization” refers to abolishing criminal punishment for the act. It means there still may be civil penalties imposed, but it is no longer a criminal offense and can not be prosecuted in a criminal court.
Since it is no longer a criminal offense, it can be taxed.
Decriminalized simply means you longer need to stand before a judge and will face no jail time. It still remains an infraction with a $100 fine. The cops will still take your Pot away and will hand you a $100 ticket. So you loose the money you paid for the pot and $100 on top of that.
Prop 19 will Legalize Marijuana possession up to 1 ounce outside your home. It will reduce the $100 infraction to Legal status meaning you pay nothing and the cops will not take your pot away. Once it is Legal then we are free to tax and control its distribution. We do not tax or control distribution today meaning drug dealers and the Mexican Cartel get all the profit, not city’s, counties or the state.
So Vote Yes on 19 and stop the fear and lies.