Cal NORML Release - Feb 19, 2004
Oakland, CA. An initiative calling for the regulation and taxation of cannabis was filed today by the Oakland Civil Liberties Alliance. If approved, the measure would (1) direct the city to tax and regulate cannabis for adult use as soon as possible under state law; and (2) make adult private use of cannabis lowest enforcement priority immediately.
The purpose of the initiative is to reduce law enforcement costs, eliminate criminal traffickers, keep cannabis off the streets and away from children, and raise much-needed revenue for the city. "In this time of budget crisis, it's crazy to waste taxpayers' money criminalizing rather than taxing California's number one cash crop," said OCLA board member and California NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer, proponent of the initiative.
Text of the proposed "Oakland Cannabis Regulation & Revenue Ordinance" is posted at http://www.canorml.org/laws/oaklandinitiative.htm
While organizers are optimistic that Oaklanders will approve the initiative, further changes in state (and federal) law will be needed before the tax-and-regulate proposal can be implemented. Until then, supporters hope the initiative will promote a climate of legal tolerance for adult private use, and spur similar initiatives in other localities so as to pressure lawmakers to change the laws.
The initiative was announced in a front page story in today's Oakland Tribune, under the headline "ADVOCATES GET DOWN TO GRASS TAX." http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~1865~1965724,00.html
Kickoff of the signature-gathering campaign is scheduled for March 13th, after the petition has been reviewed by the City Attorney. 20,000 valid signatures will be needed to qualify for the November ballot.
Donations to the Oakland campaign may be sent to OCLA at the address below. Many thanks to the Marijuana Policy Project for providing startup funding, and to the Drug Policy Alliance for their technical assistance.
- D.Gieringer
Oakland Civil Liberties
Alliance - PAC
1714 Franklin Street #100-118
Oakland, CA 94612
