cannabisnews.com: Schwarzenegger Urges a Study on Legalizing MJ Use

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  Schwarzenegger Urges a Study on Legalizing MJ Use

Posted by CN Staff on May 07, 2009 at 04:57:00 PT
By Rebecca Cathcart 
Source: New York Times 

Los Angeles, CA --  Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday that the discussion over whether to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use in California would benefit from a large-scale study, including international case comparisons, to show the possible impact of such a change.Pressure to mend the state’s fractured budget along with growing public support of marijuana legalization moved him to support such a study, Mr. Schwarzenegger said.
“I think it’s time for a debate,” he said. “I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues; I’m always for an open debate on it. And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs. What effect did it have on those countries?”A Field Poll from April showed 56 percent of the state’s registered voters in support of legalizing and taxing marijuana for recreational use to fill some of the budget deficit. Mr. Schwarzenegger told reporters at a fire-safety event in Davis, Calif., that he did not support sweeping legalization, but that more information would help.Marijuana advocates said the governor’s invitation to have a discussion at all was a landmark.“What stands out about Gov. Schwarzenegger’s comment is not that he thought it, but that he said it,” said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance. “There has been enormous fear at a political level about saying out loud and on the record that we should think about this.”Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, Democrat of San Francisco, introduced legislation in February that would legalize the cultivation and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Mr. Ammiano’s proposal has been shelved this session, but he has said he would reintroduce it next year. Sales could raise $1.2 billion to $1.34 billion in annual tax revenue, some estimates say.But that would be little salve for the state’s deficit, which could reach $20 billion in 15 months if ballot initiatives proposed by the governor do not pass, said Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, Republican of Irvine. Mr. DeVore said he did not support legalizing marijuana, and was surprised to hear the governor’s comments.“I think this shows the governor’s growing desperation over the budget,” Mr. DeVore said.A version of this article appeared in print on May 7, 2009, on page A21 of the New York edition.Source: New York Times (NY)Author: Rebecca CathcartPublished: May 7, 2009 - Page A21Copyright: 2009 The New York Times CompanyContact: letters nytimes.comWebsite: http://www.nytimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/XAoGXKHxRelated Articles:Schwarzenegger Welcomes Debate Over Legalizing http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24784.shtmlSchwarzenegger: Calif. Should Study Pot Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24783.shtml

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Comment #11 posted by FoM on May 08, 2009 at 08:13:06 PT

Vincent
It really is something to see the Republicans spinning themselves into the ground. They act like what motivates them is hate and no no no.
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Comment #10 posted by Vincent on May 08, 2009 at 08:06:05 PT:

Legalization in California
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, REPUBLICAN of Irvine says that the Legalization of Marijuana would not solve the budget crisis in California. Of course, being a bible-banging republican (lower-case letters, yuk yuk) he is against legalization. He then goes on to say that Gov. Schwartzaneggar is getting "desperate" about the budget. Actually, the Conservatives are the ones who are getting desperate because they see "their" world coming to an end. Thank God. (the real God, not the junk that DeVore worships)
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 07, 2009 at 20:09:16 PT

John Tyler 
Then he has about a year and a half to get this done until he is out of office. He has nothing to lose and a lot of respect to gain. I hope he goes for it.
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Comment #8 posted by John Tyler on May 07, 2009 at 19:55:55 PT

terms for Governor
Some state yes and some states no. In California I think they can be elected to two terms.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 07, 2009 at 19:10:53 PT

John Tyler 
Can a Governor only do two terms?
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Comment #6 posted by John Tyler on May 07, 2009 at 19:03:12 PT

what a political maneuver that would be
The overall Republican Party is at the weakest period that I have ever seen it. Arnold is not beholding to them anymore. They can’t do much to help him and they can’t do much to hurt him either. He needs some new money making ideas fast. He is pretty much on his own. If he approves legislation for cannabis legalization and can get re-elected (which I think he can). He will be lifted to statesman status. It will be historic. Arnold will be in the history books. Which is just the kind of thing he would like. He legalized cannabis and saved California. Dig it! The son of a Nazi from Austria comes to Hollywood to make movies. Gets rich and famous. Gets elected Governor. Legalizes cannabis. Saves freedom and saves California. Fade to sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge. What a mind blower.  
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on May 07, 2009 at 14:46:26 PT

AdaptBones 
I think that he will be finished as Governor in January 2011. He was sworn in January 2007 for his second term I just read in wiki. He has a little over a year and a half to get a strong discussion going.
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Comment #4 posted by AdaptBones on May 07, 2009 at 10:03:16 PT:

Makes sense
I am originally from the Bay area, born and raised, but moved to the northwest a few years ago. I was there when he was voted into office and it made a lot of sense to me why and how he got elected in such a liberal state. One his wife is indeed a kennedy and let's admit it, strong women highly influence the man they are with. So I think she keeps him fairly liberal and progressive enough that the people of california support him (for the most part). Plus he is up for reelection next year. This is a HUGE platform to campaine on because it's what the people want and that will keep him in office. Either way I am very glad to see he opened this can of worms because that is one more chunk out of the prohibs dam. Blessed be.
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on May 07, 2009 at 08:38:12 PT

"...at a fire-safety event"
Someone should have mentioned Afghanistan Hemp being planted as fire breaks all over brush country. Might save some lives and property in the future.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 07, 2009 at 07:52:39 PT

Sam
I think the Govenor knows he isn't appreciated by his fellow Republicans and I'm sure they have called him and complained about it. He is married to a strong woman from the Kennedy family. She more then likely will support him on saying what he said. Arnold is a person that is known around the world for his very popular movies. He does matter.
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Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on May 07, 2009 at 07:48:10 PT

governator
Wow, this story is bigger than I thought - it ran on the front page of the SF Chronicle today too!Makes you start to wonder - is the "Berlin Wall" moment coming??? Look at how fast gay marriage is spreading since Massachusetts broke the ice a couple years ago. Could this outburst from Ahnold mean that he's no longer being bullied by his Republican bosses Bush/Cheney in DC?Governator, tear down this wall!
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