Brian Doherty Explains The Failure of Prop 19 and What it Means for the Future of Pot Legalization

In the 2010 election, California voters rejected Proposition 19, which would have legalized the possession and sale of marijuana in the state.

Reason Senior Editor Brian Doherty explains to Reason.tv why Prop. 19 lost, and says that despite electoral defeat, the proposition actually resulted in a number of victories for the legalization movement. Doherty also explains why he believes legalization is inevitable in the next four to six years.

Approximately 5 minutes. Produced by Zach Weissmueller and Alex Manning. Edited by Manning.

Go to http://www.reason.tv for HD, iPod and audio versions of this video and subscribe to Reason.tv's YouTube channel to receive automatic notification when new material goes live.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Brian
• Doherty
• Libertarian
• Reason.com
• Reason.tv
• Reason.org
• Reason
• Prop
• 19
• Pot
• Legalization
• Weed
• Marijuana

[hagbard72]

He's overly optimistic. Twenty four year old pot smokers become forty year old social conservatives.  I see it around me being a 52 year old who no longer smokes, but in my case, a libertarian who supports legalization.

All the same, the "owners" aren't going to let it happen. It will put too much a dent in their control armor to be allowed.

[4gl2u]

This guy looks absolutely hilarious in the video thumbnail.

[KripDrip]

they cant smoke it now either. at least if prop 19 passed, it wouldve been perfectly legal for them to buy and grow it as long they want just a few short years til they 21.

[MutantBamHammer]

@lepich91 that shit has pros?

[Bullsight2020]

Myslexics for the Degalization of Larijuana!!

[tattvam4]

Does anyone know who was behind the ballot initiative for Prop 19?

[thisisbunk]

@tobynsaunders - It's called the freedom to contract - aka - no one's forcing you to work for someone who discourages drug use. Raise the minimum wage to a $100 an hour and see how much destruction it causes.

[thisisbunk]

@thomaserossi - You fail to recognize how such policies are also a great excuse to institute welfare. Just look at the discussion concerning foreign policy. "Less military, more foreign aid!" Besides, you also fail to explain why welfare statism is bad beyond claiming it induces bad behavior. Oh yeah, as if sending people to jail or raiding their homes because they smoke, sell, or grow weed is a good way to lead by example. It is often because of this government behavior that citizens rebel.

[thomaserossi]

I proudly voted against it. The fact that Libertarians sound like Marxists when they talk about drug legalization was reason enough to shoot down Prop 19.

You cannot have a drug society and a welfare state. The two are completely incompatible. Holland has been talking about making drugs illegal again. Most likely for this reason. The welfare state induces bad behavior. I'm never going to vote for a Proposition to Legalize Pot so long as I live in a welfare state. Abolish welfare 1st!

[jtropeano]

haircut time, brian!! 

[ChargersFanForLyfe]

@SirWinstonChurchill Because one day they will be older?

[SirWinstonChurchill]

18-20 year olds cannot smoke it with Prop. 19... why the hell should they support it?