Prop 19 takes weed arguments to center stage

California’s Prop 19 has a little bit of anything that has made the 2010 election season interesting. There’s a big debate over the proposition and its effects. Specifically, the “Regulate, Control, and Tax Weed Act. Here are the basics of the debate over Proposition 19.

Details about Prop 19

Cannabis for recreational purposes would be legal in CA with Prop 19. The voter initiative, if passed, would allow anybody 21 years of age or older to “possess, cultivate or transport weed for personal use.”. Marijuana would be regulated and taxed by the local govt. It would be illegal to drive under to influence or to smoke in public or with anybody younger than 21 around.

Prop 19 and the argument on taxation’s

If Proposition 19 passed, it may be good for California financially. Major tax revenue would be there. Not only would Prop 19 remove the more than $1 billion cost of enforcing anti-marijuana laws, it would create about $1.3 billion in tax revenue. Minimum wage is what the state is paying employees right now. With that kind of revenue, there could possibly be a large change in those wages.

Prop 19 relies heavily on states' rights

Many conservative groups are supporting California’s Prop 19, not specifically for the legalization of cannabis, but for states’ rights. Conservative groups say the United States federal government has no place regulating intoxicants. State and individual rights are the bigger concern with Prop 19 in Tea Party groups.

Declaring no to Proposition 19

There are weird groups that are really in opposition to California's Prop 19. Those who grow and sell medical cannabis do not want Proposition 19 to pass in California. They have spoken out about it. They believe the medical market will change too much with weed being legal for recreation. They might end up with higher taxation’s although it is a medical product and the prices of it dropping.

Want to know more about California's Proposition 19? This two-part series on the initiative has all the info you need. In the end, Proposition 19 brings up lots of tough issues for CA residents. Are you going to vote for it? Against it?