With the defeat of Proposition 19 at the California ballot this past November, proponents of marijuana legalization and regulation had a bitter pill to swallow after months of arduous campaigning. However the vote was close with 53% against and 47% in favor of legalization. This has given supporters ammunition to move forward in 2012.
Many feel that what was once a fringe issue has now moved into the mainstream. Backers of Prop. 19 believe that with further education and awareness, the voters of California are ready to turn the tide. They feel that the political climate had shifted and that an already existing donor infrastructure will give them a leg up for 2012. 2012 is also a presidential election year, meaning more voters come to the polls.
Some of the bigger players to emerge for 2012 are the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform 2012, California NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), and The Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act of 2012. At this point it is to early to tell which organization will take the lead and bring an initiative to the ballot. It is interesting to note that the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform 2012 senior leadership team is comprised of many veterans of the Prop.
19 campaign.Due to the enormous amount of national and international attention heaped upon Prop 19, legalization organizations have been able to harness the publicity to amass considerable war chests for a 2012 ballot initiative. Organizations have also reported increased contribution not only from individuals, but from various business that stand to benefit from a marijuana economy.
Though the 2012 elections are about 15 months away, opponents and proponents have already geared up for round II.