Big Alcohol's Paranoid Blues

Campaign finance reports reveal ‘No on Proposition 19’ receives financial backing from Big Alcohol.

In the entire history of mankind there is no known overdose death attributed to marijuana. Of course, it only stands to reason that this naturally occurring herb should remain illegal throughout the US and carry severe ramifications for its possession and consumption. Whilst alcohol--credited with 79,000 fatalities per year--is deemd fine and legal for those over the age of 21. These ironically stated facts are not unnoticed by the state of California.

This November, the state will vote on whether or not to pass Proposition 19. The proposal, also known as The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 will allow the government to regulate and tax marijuana much like alcohol.  

If this act is passed there are several positive outcomes that will allow California society to cultivate a new high. The most obvious benefit the taxation of marijuana will provide is sustenance to nourish the weak economy. The estimated $1.4 billion expected to generate annually will help relieve the state’s $20 billion deficit. Tax dollars will no longer go toward arresting, convicting and incarcerating marijuana users, thus in turn allowing law enforcement to focus on serious criminal offenders.

Proposition 19 appears to have all the qualities of revolutionary advancement for the state of California. Yet there is inevitable opposition. The “No On Prop 19” AKA “Public Safety First” campaign hopes to extinguish the flames of marijuana legalization. Recently filed campaign finance reports show substantial funding to the tune of $10,000 coming from none other than...the California Beer and Beverage Distributors.  

Perhaps Big Alcohol is feeling a little paranoid.

Image by marxchivist on Flickr Courtesy of Creative Commons