I don't agree with or fully understand Steve's drawing a distinction here between "legalization" and "regulation", since the "Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act" *is* a legalization measure (as it damn well ought to be!). Perhaps he's just alluding to NORML not mentioning regulation in their call for legalization, but it was still an unfortunate jab at the concept of legalization. After all, polling at 46% is hardly grounds for dismissal -- I believe a legalization measure that, unlike the poorly written Prop. 19, could get the enthusiastic support of most in the cannabis community, would stand a good chance of raising those numbers over the 50% threshold.
The good news is, I believe that the "Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act" being championed by Steve, along with Orange County Judge Jim Gray, and planned for the November 2012 ballot, is such a measure. Regardless of whether it is seen as "legalization" or as "regulation", or more accurately as both, I believe Steve is correct in predicting this is the right initiative at the right moment in history to succeed, and get the federal goons off the backs of cannabis providers. None too soon, for sure!
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))