I'll probably vote against it. Not because I don't support the intent but because I don't really support the initiative process. So unless it's pointed out that this is one of those things that must go through the initiative process I'll be on the no side but for a different reason that most who say no.

Neither did the bootleggers but regardless of their willingness to go straight the end of prohibition did still eventually mostly eliminate them. Plus they still need to provide for the out of state market.

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Per the language in the initiative, smoking that which is legal for personal possession can only happen in residences, non-private locations, or specifically licensed public locations. So it isn't going to become legal to smoke it in the local park or while standing in line for the ATM.

Well, the only thing the passage of this bill would change for me is that I would now have to pay a tax.

really, thats not different than most of the alcohol laws in place or now being popularized. no more drinking on beaches, many (most?) parks or in public in general. public intoxication has been against the law for quite awhile, regardless of what youre using.

I'd be very curious to see the actual percentages of pot related offenders in jail and in prisons currently compared to the overall prison population.

Ive been saying it needs to be legalized and regulated for decades, and while Im truly glad to see its going to make it on to the ballot, I fear Prop H8 has proven how truly fearful of change and entrenched in unfounded BS the cali populous can be. getting to vote and passing it are very different animals. even then, I can see it being tied up in courts from now until the end of days.

I have hope, but little faith at this point.

Legalize it, place [fairly useless] restrictions on it like cigarettes and alcohol and tax it. Oh and let everyone who has been arrested for possession or use out of jail/prison unless there is another reason to keep them locked up.

That unfortunately is not realistic. Marijuana possession in the amounts covered by this bill has not been a jail offense for quite some time. There are very few people (if any?) in jail right now JUST for possession of < 1oz. of marijuana. Perhaps growing, I'm not sure about the law regarding that. If all you were busted for was possession of a small amount, and you are in jail, odds are you are in jail because you couldn't pay the fine. Which means you've essentially been convicted of bail violation (or whatever you're charged with for not paying the fine). So while their original crime will be wiped out, they will still be required to serve sentence for the crime of not paying.

Will this make it commercially available a la the Marlboro Brand of Maryjane?

Were people in jail for purely alcohol related offenses -- as opposed to other criminal activities surrounding bootlegging and speakeasies -- released simply because Prohibition ended?

Yes, theoretically it would be a commercial enterprise (though it also legalizes growing for personal use up to certain limits. But because of limits related to commercial operations I doubt you'll see it in your corner convenience store but rather still pretty much limited to pot-only outlets. One of the rules in there is that any business licensed to sell pot can not employ anybody under the age of 21. So either that will keep a lot of business away from selling pot or it will cut off a lot of entry level employment to young adults. It also does not change, so far as I can see, the criminal punishments for selling pot if it is to a minor, which are much harsher than selling alcohol or cigarettes so I doubt many businesses would take the risk.

But it's still gonna happen.

It was still illegal when they chose to do it. Ergo, they still deserve jail time for breaking the law.