CA: State's Largest Union Endorses Pot Legalization

[Kadie]

State's Largest Union Endorses Pot Legalization

Posted: 11:42 am PDT September 21, 2010

SACRAMENTO -- California's largest labor union is endorsing a November ballot initiative that would legalize marijuana.

The state's Service Employees International Union and its 700,000 members endorsed Proposition 19 on Tuesday, though it remains unclear how much time or money it will donate.

An endorsement letter from Bill Lloyd, president of SEIU California, says most of the union's resources will go toward the governor's race, but also vows to help Prop. 19 "in any way we can."

Lloyd says the measure's revenue will help the state preserve jobs and "avoid cuts to health care, home care, education and other services."

http://www.ktvu.com/news/25102455/detail.html

[FirstLight]

1. wow people, this is big

I think Prop 19 might just have a chance...more than just the stoner vote, it's getting validated on many fronts.

does this mean that the way pre employment drug screening will be changing?
alot of things will be changing

fingers crossed

[Adsos Letter]

2. The interest in seeing Prop. 19 passed goes way beyond the stoner vote, I think

from what I get from talking to friends/family who range the gamut of personal experience/personal beliefs about marijuana use. I think many supporters see the damage prohibition is inflicting on our society, and the Mexican society. Law enforcement costs, violence, social cost for incarcerating people for engaging in a behavior less harmful than alcohol.

Plus, for many, it comes down to the potential to generate state taxes in economically shaky times.

Personally, I really hope Prop. 19 passes.

[FirstLight]

3. have you seen this!? good to share!!!

An animation called "the flower" about two societies, one who uses this nice little plant to create jobs, industry and taxes...and one that criminalizes it...very non threatening and should definitely be seen by as many as possible!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMM_T_PJ0Rs

:)

[Adsos Letter]

5. I had not seen that! In any case, in a world with so many complex problems

it just seems wrong-headed to oppose a solution to a specific issue with so many negative manifestations; i.e.: prohibition of marijuana. Place the same type of restrictions on pot use as alcohol (including the right to produce a certain amount privately, ala wine/beer), allow commercial production (and the subsequent tax revenue stream) and I think many associated, unmanageable problems would be alleviated (but not entirely eradicated, cartels are bound to move into other areas, but my understanding is that pot is the highest demand product in the USA, with other drugs falling off rapidly, in terms of demand).

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Kadie.:thumbsup: