With election day soon approaching, Californias campaign to legalize marijuana has now assembled the largest group of supporters in the issues history.
In a press conference held on Monday at San Franciscos ACLU office, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Prop 64s large list of endorsements from both elected officials and notable groups alike, reports David Downs.
Groups such as the California Democratic Party, the California League of Conservation Voters, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, the National Latino Officers Association, and Blacks in Law Enforcement of America have publicly endorsed Prop 64, which legalizes the adult use, growth, and possession of marijuana for recreational use.
This is as broad-based a coalition of support as weve ever seen – including a lot private law enforcement support, Lt. Gov. Newsom said. All honor to [failed 2010 legalization drive] Proposition 19, this is an exponentially broader coalition than we saw with Prop 19.
The measure has also earned endorsements from every major California newspaper while raising over $20 million in campaign donations. In comparison, only a few rural city and county editorial boards have opposed the measure, while the main Prop 64 opposition group has raised just $2.5 million.
Several former and current lawmakers are also behind legalizing pot, including Congressional Reps. Jared Huffman, Barbara Lee, Ted Lieu, Dana Rohrabacher and Eric Salwell, Assemblymember David Chiu, and former state Senator Mark Leno.
Californias upcoming vote on legalization may heavily influence the rest of the U.S. to adopt similar measures. A recent Pew poll found that 57 percent of Americans now support cannabis law reform.
Prop 64 is a game-changer, not just in California, Newsom said while fielding questions. The world is looking to us – quite literally.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: California Marijuana Legalization Gains Historic Amount Of Support
Author: Oscar Pascual
Contact: SFGate
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: SFGate
