Very short post, possibly. But I voted yesterday, a painless experience which makes me wonder why more people don’t go out there to vote. The biggest measure being watched, I think, was the legalization of marijuana in California. Now, after hearing arguments mostly for than against, I’m in shock to find out that Prop 19 did not make it. Its a flat out no. Wow. I mean, I’m not a proponent for drug use, and if it became legalized, I wouldn’t have done it myself. But if other people do it, well that’s fine, because its them. Its probably why I don’t drink very often or smoke. Just because its available to me doesn’t mean I have to do it, but I have no beef with anyone who does do those things.
So why didn’t it pass? I thought this subject would have gotten a lot of the younger voters out because I really thought that would be something that people would be passionate about. But apparently, the older people, more conservative and less open minded about the drug went out in force and voted it 53.8% against, 46.2% for. Even with all these people I follow on twitter, listen to on the radio and the internet, there was just enough man power to get that law to pass.
It could have helped the state so much, financially. But I guess the fear of the unknown and the stigma of weed in general, is enough to make something that could have really benefited the state go south. Oh well, I guess life continues to move on. Its just like legalizing gay marriage. I guess California is not as hip and cool as I thought it was. There are still phobias out there, and I think we need a few more generations for real acceptance and real change.
California Ballot Results: http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/ballot-measures/
