Put Your Money Where Your Pipe Is

In one classic episode of The Simpsons, Homer and the notoriously pot-friendly musicians of Phish urge a rally of thousands of stoners and jam band fans -- or do I repeat myself? -- to vote "yes" on a referendum calling for the legalization of medical marijuana. In stereotypical stoner fashion, though, they all spaced on when they were supposed to vote, the rally coming a crucial day too late. Whoops!

Backers of Proposition 19 in California are hoping that doesn't happen in real life. The initiative, which would legalize the sale of possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for adults over 21, is opposed by both major parties' nominees for governor and attorney general -- but supported by a narrow majority of Californians, with most expecting the final tally will largely depend on turnout.

On Monday, organizers of the "Yes on 19" campaign -- launched by Richard Lee, founder of Oaksterdam University, which teaches classes on the ins-and-outs of marijuana cultivation and distribution -- hope to raise $50,000 in a coordinated 24-hour "money bomb," or "$1,000 for each day left until Election Day, November 2." To donate and help support voter outreach efforts, head on over to the campaign's website and make a pledge. You can also follow the fundraising effort on Twitter.

This fall Californians will have a chance to do that which their politicians have been too cowardly, corrupt and/or misguided to: legalize the use of marijuana by responsible adults. And the result of the vote will impact more than just people in California, with McClatchy reporting a success for the Yes-on-19 crowd could prompt Mexico to follow suit. It would be a shame if the effort failed because a few too many supporters forgot -- or didn't bother -- to vote.

Image Credit: Dustin Sacks http://criminaljustice.change.org