Natural Society – by Elizabeth Renter
Attitudes towards marijuana are changing across the nation, and subsequently, so are the laws. But none have been as bold as the newly proposed California Hemp Act 2014 (CHA) recently filed by the California Cannabis Hemp Initiative 2014 (CCHI). The CHA would essentially legalize all marijuana and hemp, but unlike laws in a select few states, it would go so far as to stop the California state government from taxing or regulating marijuana at all.
Cannabis activists and supporters are ultimately hoping to get the CHA on the 2014 ballot. On August 5, the paperwork was filed with the state Attorney General. Now, we wait to hear just what sort of requirements will have to be met before the initiative goes before voters. As reported by NaturalNews, it will likely be hundreds of thousands of petition signatures.
The proposed CHA is remarkable for several reasons. Firstly, it would bar the state of California from passing any laws restricting any aspect of the recreational or medicinal use of marijuana. It would also bar them from regulating or taxing the manufacturing, production, sale or use of the plant in any form. Essentially it would be a total “hands off” policy, unlike the strictly regulated and justly so alcohol and tobacco—both of which are responsible for thousands of deaths each year.
Within the last year, we’ve seen firsthand just how much a state can regulate the recreational marijuana trade in the states of Washington and Colorado, both of whom legalized recreational marijuana late in 2012. With the changing tides of marijuana attitudes, we’ve also been given more information than ever on why marijuana should not only be approved for medicinal reasons, but as a matter of principle and personal rights.
In addition to telling state officials to back off marijuana, the CHA bars any actor of the state to assist the federal government in enforcing their marijuana laws. In other words, no California law enforcement would be participating in federal raids or investigations. And, for those who stand in the way of Californians and their marijuana—misdemeanor charges could be brought. Yes, the CHA criminalizes marijuana enjoyment interference.
So what are the chances of this law passing? As it stands, pretty slim. But it’s not impossible. Depending on the requirements set by the state Attorney General’s Office, the California Cannabis Hemp Initiative is going to need all the support they can get—in the way of signatures, petitioners, and town criers. In other words, we can all do something to give it a better chance.
To read more about the CHA, check out the CCHI’s official website: http://www.cchi2014.org/
You can also volunteer to help get the measure on the ballot here: http://www.cchi2014.org/
Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/bold-marijuana-legalization-ballot-measure-proposed-california/#ixzz2eU1e0MR7
Follow us: @naturalsociety on Twitter | NaturalSociety on Facebook
Why can`t every state be real about it and just pass a law just like this one. I can only hope that Calif. pases this into law, and – LOL – ya all know that I am against laws 🙂 .
I was there for the last vote. working in that industry as a property manager and physical security. The growers voted against it because it would drop the prices they get from the black market AND they where all nervous that philip morris and rj reynolds where soon to set up shop and take them out of the game.
The way I saw it was decriminalize possession. regulate cultivation only as far as how farming regs are for non commercial farms. By this I mean in a home/residence commercial production of 100s of plants are normally under an ordinance. Then when rj and phillip roll into town. get the pitch forks and torches out. they cant hurt your business when their production plant gets burned down every 3 months. OR when their supply trucks get “diverted” before delivery. Perhaps That is a little strong but the fact of the matter is there is 1000s of private individuals who rely on that 20k income to survive. most of that money gets spent at the grocery store and at the farm and ranch shop on soil and nutrients. In the spring you can watch pickups driving with pallets of soil on the back. at $5-15 per bag that is commerce.