There's a little talked-about aspect of Proposition 19, the November ballot measure that would legalize and tax marijuana in California. You can find it near the bottom of the initiative language (.pdf) talking about allowing the state legislature to amend the prop -- that is, if approved by voters -- to regulate it statewide, but only if the intent is to "further the purposes of the Act." more ›

As expected, San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano has reintroduced his bill to legalize marijuana after it failed to meet legal deadlines during the last legislative session. Like before, "the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act (AB 2254) would create a regulatory structure similar to that used for beer, wine and liquor, permitting taxed sales to adults while barring sales to or possession by those under 21," according to Ammiano's office. more ›

Another huge step was taken this morning in the effort to legalize marijuana beyond the current medical-use constraints. The California Assembly's Public Safety Committee voted 4 to 3 to approve A.B. 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act, which is the legislation that would tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. more ›

As the historic Prop 8 trial takes place in a federal courthouse in San Francisco, another historic hearing will be going on in Sacramento tomorrow morning. The California Assembly’s Public Safety Committee will conduct a hearing and vote on A.B. 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act, which is the legislation that would tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. more ›

We're a joke, so it's time to laugh at ourselves, California. Last night the Colbert Report took on Schwarzenegger, making fun of our Governor's adorable breakfast photo on Twitter and his letter to Assemblyman Tom Ammiano that contained a hidden "fuck you." more ›

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger apparently slipped in an embedded and hidden "fuck you" in a veto message to San Francisco Assemblymember Tom Ammiano and now the San Francisco Chronicle is taking a stab back. A hidden message in their in-print editorial today reads "Grow Up Girlie Man." And maybe the state's frat boy squad can get back to work now. (h/t LAObserved) more ›

Yesterday an Oakland medical marijuana entrepreneur took his first official step to put a proposition on the 2010 ballot that would ask Californians to legalize marijuana. If passed, those over 21 could smoke freely and could grow it for personal use on garden plots up to 25 square feet, according to the Associated Press. Richard Lee and his group will need to collect 434,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot. This proposition is different from a less restrictive one filed two weeks ago by two lawyers in Northern California. Also at the state politics level, Assemblymember Tom Ammiano's bill will have hearings this Fall. more ›

If marijuana were to be legalized for recreational use, it would raise nearly $1.4 billion for the California, announced a state tax board yesterday. The numbers were from an analysis of a bill, AB390, introduced earlier this year by San Francisco Assemblymember Tom Ammiano. more ›

It looks like Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken the debate over marijuana to whole a new level, the Sacramento Bee reports: The governor was asked about a recent Field Poll [.pdf] showing that 56 percent of registered voters support legalizing and taxing marijuana to raise revenues for cash-strapped California. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, has proposed legislation that would legalize the drug for recreational use, rather than just medical purposes. more ›

It was a rough Valentine's night for California's lawmakers, as they worked until the wee hours trying to resolve our budget. But in the early morning hours today it became apparent that the budget was not going to get the one last Republican vote it needed, and it has stalled. more ›