Today, the Marijuana Policy Project filed with the California Secretary of State to form a committee and raise money for a 2016 cannabis legalization initiative. Here’s some things to keep in mind:
They’re Going To Need A TON Of Money Maybe $10-$15 million dollars, but historically, no one has shown up and donated to the cause of legalizing pot in California.
It’ll Be A Coalition The Colorado legalizers will work with a diverse group on an initiative in the coming months, MPP communications director Mason Tvert told me recently. That’s likely going to be groups like Drug Policy Alliance, ACLU, and the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform.
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But Divisions Abound There is no such thing as one type of legalization. Michael Jolson has already told me he’ll be running his “Jack Herer” initiative again in 2016. Michael Green with the Fresno Cannabis Association said many people who live in counties with weed bans won’t stand for legalization that cements bans.
Tvert dismisses the ‘stoners against legalization’ narrative as a “man bites dog story,” but I don’t know about that. Entrenched interests also include medical marijuana dispensaries and growers.
It’s Going to Be Close
Current polls peg legalization at 55-45 in California, which is not awesome numbers considering history is not on our side. There’s also the possibility that the US Attorney General could fly in and scare the pants off undecideds right before the election, like Eric Holder did in 2010.
3D Cannabis Center budtender, Denver, Colorado., January 1, 2014.
Credits: David DownsIt’s Not 2010
Which brings us to out last key point: it’s not 2010.
Three more states could legalize this year. More than half the states in the union now have medical or recreational laws. The wall is crumbling. California is the biggest brick. Is it our turn?
