Why Prop 19 Failed

There were two reasons why Prop 19 to legalize pot in California failed with the voters.

First, economics. The opposition changed the argument with the keystroke of one letter. They changed could to would. Theoretically, the Federal government could withhold funds from the state if the law passed since marijuana possession is still against Federal law. Somewhere along the line, the argument stated that the government would, and even if they didn't, did we really want to take that risk? Think of our schools, our kids, our parks and roads, yada yada yada. The same old tropes that get the majority on their side most of the time.

Second, the absence of how. There was no how in the bill. No structure on how to implement it, regulate it, tax it, distribute it, control it. No proposed use of the revenue taxation would create. No law enforcement guidelines, and no cooperation from bordering states. I used to drive from Illinois to Wisconsin to buy booze because it was close and the drinking age was lower. The states that share a border with us would be faced with line hoppers buying pot.

The next prop will be on the ballot in 2012. It will need to push the State's Rights argument to keep the Feds out of the picture, and control the message. It will also need to outline the how. People voted against it from fear of loss and lack of information. Fix that, and it will pass.

Hamster Prez