Proposition 19 Fails in California
Politico reports:
Proposition 19, a closely-watched ballot initiative that could legalize recreational marijuana in California – and perhaps set a trend for the rest of the nation – has been defeated.
Projections by news outlets and the National Council of State Legislatures show the measure, which would have allowed Californians to grow their own marijuana, allow possession of small amounts of it and permit the state to tax commercial sales of the drug, garnered just 43.6 percent, with 16.2 percent of precincts reporting.
The measure was among 160 ballot measures in 37 states, a host of initiatives on taxes, government spending and social issues. They including whether to reject the federal government’s sweeping new care requirements, proposals to cut taxes and local spending and if “personhood” begins at the moment of conception.
The pot legalization initiative drew worldwide attention, but support for the measure has been sinking, according to recent polls. As late as Tuesday, Oakland City Attorney John Russo – a leading proponent of the pot plan – signaled its fading prospects during a Bay Area press conference.
