Oakland Initiative to Tax & Regulate Cannabis

OCLA Launches Oakland Initiative to Tax & Regulate Cannabis
OAKLAND, CA, Feb 19, 2004. An initiative calling for the regulation and taxation of cannabis for adult use in Oakland has been launched by a group known as the Oakland Civil Liberties Alliance. If approved, the measure would direct the city to tax and regulate cannabis for adult use as soon as possible under state law, and make adult private use of cannabis lowest enforcement priority immediately.

The proposed "Oakland Cannabis Regulation and Revenue Ordinance" would not actually legalize cannabis in Oakland, since that is impossible under current state law. Rather, it would put the city officially on record as favoring a "tax-and-regulate" scheme. Organizers see it as the first step in a larger campaign to change state ≠ and ultimately federal ≠ law, much like San Franciscoπs path-breaking medical marijuana initiative, Prop. P.

OCLA declares that the purpose of its initiative is to reduce law enforcement costs, eliminate criminal traffickers, keep cannabis off the streets and away from children, and raise much-needed revenue for the city.

"In this time of budget crisis, itπs crazy to waste taxpayersπ money criminalizing rather than taxing Californiaπs number one cash crop," said California NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer, proponent of the initiative and a member of the OCLA board. He estimates that a $1 per joint tax could raise $1 billion in California.

The initiative envisions a system of licensed outlets similar to Amsterdamπs cannabis cafes, with regulations to keep cannabis away from schools and children, prohibit billboard and TV advertising, and bar smoking in streets and public places.

Based on pre-campaign polling, organizers are optimistic that Oaklanders will approve the measure if it makes the ballot. In a telephone poll by McGuire Research Services, over 70% of likely voters expressed support for a "tax and regulate" system when details were explained. In addition, 75% agreed that adult private cannabis use should be ≥lowest enforcement priority≤ for police. By an 8 to 3 margin, Oaklanders were more likely to vote for officials who favored the tax-and-regulate idea.

City Councilwoman Desley Brooks endorsed the initiative, saying, "Itπs unfortunate that people have to go to the ballot or sue before their elected officials represent them."

Supporters need to collect 19,948 valid signatures from Oakland voters by June 21st in order to qualify for the November ballot.

The OCLA initiative is supported by the Marijuana Policy Project, which provided startup funding, plus the Drug Policy Alliance, NORML, and Cannabis Action Network. OCLA is seeking volunteers and financial support for the signature gathering drive.

Text of Oakland Cannabis Regulation & Revenue Initiative.

Oakland Civil Liberties Alliance - PAC
1714 Franklin Street #100-118
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 268-9979 http://www.taxandregulate.org