New Poll shows big majority for potential future ballot measure

by Brian Leubitz

It has been almost three years since Proposition 19, the marijuana legalization measure, was narrowly defeated at the ballot. But in that time, both events and the passage of time has moved the issue forward.  Very quickly from the 47-53 position in Nov. 2010:

One, which the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California released last month, found that 60 percent of likely voters overall backed legalization. A survey by San Francisco pollster Ben Tulchin, commissioned by the ACLU and released Thursday, found that 65 percent of 1,200 respondents considered likely to vote in 2016 would support a measure to tax and regulate marijuana. (SF Chronicle)

And along with that poll numbers they released, ACLU of Northern California is teaming up with Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom to form a “blue ribbon panel” to discuss how best to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana. While Prop 19 had some strong regulations to make the transition smooth, we’ve seen a lot of disorganization and confusion with Washington’s measure.

Who knows what will come out of the blue ribbon panel, but it seems that 2016 will feature a marijuana legalization measure. And because it is likely to pass, it is important that it be done in the right way to make the change as painless as possible.