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Just Say Now: Tell Us What You Think

We lost on Tuesday, but we're
determined to celebrate next time.
And we can't do it without you.

Tell us what you think: how did we do, and where do we go from here to legalize marijuana?

Dear friends,

Prop 19 was defeated at the polls, 54% to 46%. Medical marijuana initiatives in Oregon and South Dakota lost as well, with votes still being counted in Arizona.

It’s fine to say “we’ll do better next time,” but if “next time” is just more of the same, we’re destined to repeat the same mistakes and suffer the same outcome. And when people are putting their hearts and their money and their time toward ending prohibition, that’s just not good enough.

If we learned one thing during this election, it’s that the marijuana reform movement needs to embrace the grassroots, to stop preaching, and to start listening. The top-down strategy of the marijuana reform movement up until now has failed, and must not be repeated.

So we want to hear from you. We want to know how we did in this election, and where you think the marijuana reform movement should go. Can you tell us what you think?

Tell us what you think: how did we do, and what can we do better next time? Click here to let us know.

http://action.firedoglake.com/justsaynowsurvey

We promise to read every word you write, and to report back on what we hear. Because one thing we know for sure: we can’t do this without you.

Your efforts to help Prop 19 and other initiatives were incredible, and unmatched. The Just Say Now campaign was launched less than 90 days before the election, and accomplished some amazing things during that time:

You made more than 50,000 calls to California voters, and thousands more to the other states.
With your support, we built new sites for two campaigns, and rescued Prop 19’s site after it crashed on Election Day.
We transformed the marijuana debate, and have shown that it’s possible to run real, bottom-up campaign to legalize marijuana.

The successes of the Just Say Now campaign were your successes.

But we can do better. We want to do better. We want to be worthy of working with you to build a movement that finally brings about an end to marijuana prohibition in this country once and for all. And we never want to write another one of those “well, we fought the good fight” letters again.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the time and energy you put into this election. But next time around, we determined to be celebrating the day after.

Take our survey and share your thoughts on this election and the future of the marijuana reform movement. Click here:

http://action.firedoglake.com/justsaynowsurvey

Thank you for everything you did for Prop 19 and other marijuana initiatives, and for taking the time to let us know how we can do better next time.

Best,

Michael
JustSayNow.com

Fight to Legalize Marijuana Targets Colorado

Sam Kamin, a professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, says Colorado will be the next battleground in the national conflict over marijuana legalization. His statement comes following local votes on medical marijuana bans throughout Colorado and the defeat of California Proposition 19, which would have legalized marijuana for adults older than 21.

2010 Election Results



Dear friends: Yesterday voters turned out across the nation to vote on a number of marijuana-related initiatives, including four major statewide initiatives. Here are the results: Arizona: Proposition 203, which would bring a working medical marijuana law to the state, is too-close-to-call at the moment, as tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of additional ballots remain to be counted. MPP will continue to closely monitor the outcome of this proposition over the coming days. California: Proposition 19, which would have made the personal possession and cultivation of marijuana legal and would have allowed regulated distribution systems on the local level, did not pass. It did, however, receive a very respectable 46 percent of the vote. South Dakota: Measure 13, which would have protected seriously ill South Dakota residents from arrest and prosecution for using medical marijuana with their doctor’s recommendation, was ultimately rejected by voters. Oregon: Measure 74, which would have established oversight and licensing requirements for medical marijuana dispensaries in Oregon, was also defeated by the voters yesterday. This loss, however, does not in any way affect Oregon's existing medical marijuana law. On a positive note, two gubernatorial candidates with good positions on marijuana policy reform won their respective elections. Peter Shumlin in Vermont and Dan Malloy in Connecticut both have positive outlooks on marijuana decriminalization, giving those states a leg-up when it comes to passing positive marijuana-related laws in the next several years. Incidentally, Shumlin also supports dispensaries, which are not currently a part of Vermont's medical marijuana law. Finally, here are the results of some significant local marijuana-related initiatives across the country: California: Two of two dispensary bans were defeated in California local elections. Additionally, Kamala Harris is currently maintaining a slim margin of victory over drug-warrior Steve Cooley in the California race for attorney general race. Massachusetts: Nine of nine public policy questions asking legislatures to vote in favor of taxing and regulating marijuana like alcohol passed. Nine of nine public policy questions asking legislatures to vote in favor of medical marijuana legislation passed. Colorado: In 42 cities and counties in the state, voters were asked whether medical marijuana dispensaries should be allowed in their locality. Citizens in eight of these regions voted to allow the dispensaries. Wisconsin:Two of two referenda asking the Wisconsin legislature to enact medical marijuana legislation passed. We've all seen the election results by now, and while some may feel disappointed, I believe now is the time for us to look ahead. 2012 is closer than it seems, and with marijuana-related issues now firmly entrenched in the national consciousness we have an opportunity to forge ahead and make 2012 the most successful year we've ever experienced. But we can't do it alone. Of the nearly 100,000 people who will receive this email today, less than 6,000 have donated to MPP's work so far this year. If you and the other 94,000 people who have not yet donated each gave just $10 to MPP today, we would generate nearly $1,000,000. That's money that we can put directly toward ending marijuana prohibition sooner, rather than later. Ending marijuana prohibition is a matter of 'when,' not 'if' and every dollar you donate helps bring that 'when' closer to today. Sincerely, Rob Kampia Executive Director Marijuana Policy Project Washington, D.C.	Help us meet our mission Raised in ’10:$2,706,258 Goal in ’10: $3,400,000 MPP will be able to tackle all of the projects in our 2010 strategic plan if you help us meet this challenge.
To contact MPP, please click here or reply to this e-mail. Our mailing address is Marijuana Policy Project, 236 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20002. Any donations you make to MPP may be used for political purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates for federal office.

Ad Watch: Anti-Proposition 19 Spot Distorts Its Impact

A radio ad against Proposition 19 paid for by the California Chamber of Commerce's Business PAC depicts a stoned California work force. But, the chamber's claims contradict rules on marijuana in the workplace upheld by the California Supreme Court and federal law. The chamber's warnings of companies being defenseless against stoned workers â and in danger of losing millions of dollars in federal drug-free workplace grants â don't square with a landmark 2008 state Supreme Court decision.

Prop 19 is Highlight of 160 Measures on State Ballots

California voters decide today whether to make their state the first to legalize recreational marijuana, drawing worldwide attention atop the 160 ballot measures in 37 states that also included divisive proposals to slash taxes and ban abortion.

California's Prop 19: The Golden State's Golden Egg

California's proposition 19 -- or Prop 19 as most refer to it -- has been in the spotlight this election day 2010, bringing particular attention to marijuana and California. It's not just Californians who are talking, either, as the whole nation seems to have an opinion on the controversial measure that would make the possession and cultivation of marijuana legal in the state. If passed, Prop 19 would also authorize cities and counties to regulate and tax commercial marijuana production and sales.

Voter Voices: If Prop. 19 Brings California Money, I Can Support Marijuana Legalization

The Los Angeles Times talks to voters about Proposition 19.

Prop 19 Gets Props from Celebrities, Little Old Ladies and Twitter

One of the biggest terms being tweeted today is the phrase "Prop 19." Apparrently Twitter is abuzz with the possibility of California legalizing marijuana.

California Looks for Cash Under Prop. 19

Proposition 19 would allow local governments to tax and regulate its commercial production, distribution and sale. At stake is the potential for "hundreds of millions of dollars annually" in new revenue, according to the ballot language posted on the California Secretary of Stateâs website. San Jose, the center of Silicon Valley, and at least 10 more cities have measures on their ballots today proposing taxes on pot crops and sales if Proposition 19 passes. Californians consume about 1 million pounds of pot annually, according to the stateâs tax administrator, the Board of Equalization.

Voter Voices: Los Angeles Accountant Says Prop. 19 Will Draw Much-Needed Revenue

VoicesAudrey Yeboah is a 52-year-old accountant who lives in the West Adams neighborhood of L.A. She voted "yes" on Proposition 19 and said "I think if they legalize it, then it won't be as appealing to kids...And in the meantime we get paid tax dollars on it."

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