Prop 64: The Real Story Behind the Pot Proposition

WORDS BY: ARIELA KOZIN | LEAD IMAGE COURTESY OF CUT + GIFS COURTESY OF GIPHY

You know those TV commercials that have puppies running through meadows to advertise miracle drugs? And then, at the very end, a voice frantically goes over a long list of potential side effects? Propositions are kind of like that, in that it is difficult to pick if swallowing the prop’s benefits outweigh its potential consequences.

If you look into Prop 64, also known as The Adult Use Of Marijuana Act, you’ll probably need a hit of your dispensary-bought joints after trying to really understand the pros and cons of it all.

What Is Proposition 64?

As of right now, having weed and using it for recreational purposes is illegal. Though 1996’s Prop 215 legalized medical marijuana and the Department of Justice will not prosecute most who follow local/state laws, both recreational AND medical weed are illegal under federal law. Here is where 64 comes in: If voted into law, recreational marijuana would become legal for the first time for California state law.

The prop would allow us folks over 21 to toke up without worry, but it would also mean two new taxes—one would be for those growing it, costing $9.25 per ounce—and the other would be for those buying it, at 15 percent per sale. They claim tax revenue would be spent on drug research, treatment and enforcement, health and safety, youth programs, and the prevention of environmental damage.

The Support

Let’s first point out that there is a ton of celebrity support from the likes of Shailene Woodley, Jay Z, Common, Tim Robbins and Pusha T.

Experts like Dr. Donald O. Lynn from the CA Department of Public Health believe that the prop “finally creates a safe, legal, and comprehensive system for adult use of marijuana while protecting our children. Marijuana is available nearly everywhere in California—but without any protections for children, without assurances of product safety, and without generating tax revenue for the state.”

It all sounds fabulous and according to the polls, the majority are agreeing with Donald O. Lynn and his dreams of a safe, green-hued future—a whopping 58 percent of likely voters are in favor of the marijuana act.

The Opposition

If Jay Z supports it, then why wouldn’t you? One would think the only people opposed would be stuffy politicians and suburban overprotective parents, right? Not quite. Actually, many of our current legal medical marijuana dispensaries are opposed to Prop 64.

According to Letitia E. Pepper, Director of Legal and Legislative Analysis for Crusaders of Patients’ Right, there are a few red flags:

1. It is backed by Pfizer and one of its biggest contributors is Climate Corp., which is owned by Monsanto, which is also owned by Pfizer. That’s a lot of Big Pharma with a long history of controversy.

2. Those major taxes will not benefit the 99 percent, stated in the provision in Section 34018.

3. Under Prop 64, minors who are caught growing weed can be sent to jail for up to three years.

4. It is written that the state can change its provision whenever it likes without a vote of the people.

5. Medical marijuana could turn into dangerous and expensive synthetic patented drugs.

Another unexpected opponent is the Executive Director of the California Growers Association, Hezekiah Allen. Hezekiah said that while he does agree with the prop from a social and criminal justice perspective, he isn’t convinced it’ll do anything for economic justice. He also says the potential law is against the small business intact now in favor of big businesses behind it. And then there’s a list of questions senator Dianne Feinstein has come forward with, including “Why is there no DUI standard in your initiative to let our CHP officers get drug-impaired drivers off the road?”

While we would love the freedom do what we want and smoke what we want, maybe this prop isn’t as great as we’d hoped.

If you’re still stumped, fear not, there are many more arguments for both sides at voterguide.sos.ca.gov

Happy Voting!

Prop 64: The Real Story Behind the Pot Proposition