Prop. 19–Marijuana Legalization this round compared with 1972

Poster from 1972

Open the time machine door, Scotty; in a strange turn of events, when cannabis legalization was on the ballot back in 1972, it was also Prop. 19.  According to Ballotpedia,

The official ballot summary was, “Removes state penalties for personal use. Proposes a statute which would provide that no person eighteen years or older shall be punished criminally or denied any right or privilege because of his planting, cultivating, harvesting, drying, processing, otherwise preparing, transporting, possessing or using marijuana. Does not repeal existing, or limit future, legislation prohibiting persons under the influence of marijuana from engaging in conduct that endangers others.”

Today’s law seems similar. From the official summary,

Allows people 21 years old or older to possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use. Permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production and sale of marijuana to people 21 years old or older. Prohibits people from possessing marijuana on school grounds, using it in public, smoking it while minors are present, or providing it to anyone under 21 years old. Maintains current prohibitions against driving while impaired.

The loss in ’72 was resounding with legalization getting only 33% of the vote.  This year, the count will be close. The polls are wobbly.  The latest poll of 600 registered voters (Reuters/Ipsos) shows that the nays have pushed ahead 50% to 48% but with a margin for error of plus or minus 4 this is a race which either side could win.  With some heavy endorsements like the NAACP’s which came out yesterday for legalization, the results may change even further.

Bumper stickers pro and con are already out.

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HT to FireDogLake where I got the cool poster