Hi All. I'm done with all the state propositions except for these 2, which
I have a question mark on. All the others were fairly easy to decide on.
Please weigh in on these 2 so I can get our recommendations up on our
website.
Prop 52 extends existing fees on hospitals for federal matching funds, as
if federal funds were "free" money. Also looking at the list of supporters
on this measure, that pushes me in the direction of NO.
On Prop 64, I know the state party ended up recommending a NO vote after a
vigorous discussion, but I read through the measure twice, and I can't see
that it's such a bad measure. The big negative is the extensive regulation
of selling pot, which apparently is happening already in the field of
medical pot, even if 64 doesn't pass. Per page 91 of the Voters Handbook,
"Under the new laws, medical marijuana collectives must be closed within a
few years and replaced by state-licensed businesses." As I see it, the
thing we always hated about the drug war was the penalties, and to me it
looks like 64 is reducing penalties in all areas except, "In addition,
individuals engaging in any marijuana business activity without a license
would be subject to a civil penalty of up to three times the amount of the
license fee for each violation." The taxes are ridiculous, but we didn't
really think there was any way to "legalize" pot without them taxing it
extensively. They're addicted to taxes, and they are not going to pass up
the opportunity to get some of the lucrative cash. Still, less people will
be going to prison, the sentences will be shorter, and convicted folks will
be able to be resentenced to lower terms and be able to change their
criminals records. I see more positives than negatives and lean towards a
YES on this one.
Thanks!
Aubrey