Six board members from the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform (CCPR) have agreed to withdraw the ballot measure, and are throwing their weight behind the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), which is by far the best-funded California campaign to end the prohibition of cannabis.
The shift appears to have started in November, when key CCPR board member Richard Lee — founder of Oaksterdam University and the man behind California’s narrowly-defeated 2010 legalization measure — announced that he was formally endorsing AUMA. “It’s important that we all get together to support one initiative,” he explained at the time.
Now, there are five more prominent board members following suit. Tom Angell lists them in an article for Marijuana.com:
- David Bronner, CEO of hemp soap company Dr. Bronner’s
- Nate Bradley, executive director of the California Cannabis Industry Association
- Stacia Cosner, deputy director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy
- Neill Franklin, executive director, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
- Antonio Gonzalez, president of the Latino Voters League and the William C. Velasquez Institute in Los Angeles
The Adult Use of Marijuana Act is backed by tech-billionaire Sean Parker. Now — with the top board members of CCPR throwing their endorsements behind it — AUMA is in a much stronger position for success in the 2016 elections.
Bronner stated in a press release: “We have carefully reviewed amendments submitted by the proponents of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, and we’re convinced it’s time to endorse that initiative and unite everyone behind a single, consensus measure to achieve a legal, regulated system, which a majority of voters have consistently said they want.”
Franklin also stated, “This amended measure strikes a thoughtful balance between civil liberties and protecting public safety and the safety and health of our children. I’m pleased to endorse it and have every confidence it will pass in November.”
Photo Credit: noahbloom
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