Founded in 1991, the Republican Liberty Caucus works to advance the principles of limited government, free markets and individual liberty within the Republican Party.

Republican Liberty Caucus Endorses Proposition 19
“It is a fundamental right for adults to decide what substances they consume”

AUSTIN, TX – The Republican Liberty Caucus National Board is honored to announce its support of the decision by its California chapter to support California’s Proposition 19, which would change California law to partially legalize marijuana and allow it to be regulated and taxed by local governments.

RLC National Chairman Dave Nalle observed that “it is a fundamental right for adults to decide for themselves what substances they choose to consume so long as they use these substances responsibly and cause no harm to others. Marijuana is certainly no more dangerous to users than alcohol and it should be accessible and regulated under similar rules. California is setting an important example for the nation with Proposition 19.”

RLC of California Secretary Parke Bostrom points out that Proposition 19 respects individual rights “while at the same time highlighting that under our Constitution, the federal government does not have authority to control the sale and possession of marijuana.” RLC of California Chairman Matt Heath announced that the RLC of California “recommends voting “YES” on Prop. 19, while at the same time strongly opposing any taxes and regulations that local governments may try to impose. It is important that voters and politicians alike remember that even after Prop. 19 passes, Article 13C of the California constitution grants voters the opportunity to block each and every new tax proposed by local governments.”

“Prop. 19 helps restore freedom to adults over what they choose to consume. In addition, it will help reduce violence between rival drug gangs and law enforcement along the U.S./Mexico border,” said John Dennis, the Republican nominee in San Francisco’s 8th Congressional District. “While not perfect, Prop. 19 is a big step in the right direction.”

We hope that the nation and the federal government are watching this historic vote in California. Citizens nationwide are demanding a restoration of liberty and that includes the right to control what substances they consume. It is time to end this irrational prohibition and begin looking at sensible alternatives to the disastrous war on drugs.

For Immediate Release: July 19, 2010
Contact: Matt Heath, Chairman RLCCA, contact@rlcca.org

The RLC of California Supports Proposition 19, Opposes Taxing Cannabis

CALIFORNIA, July 19 – The Republican Liberty Caucus of California today announced both its support of California’s Proposition 19, and its opposition to any regulation or taxation of marijuana.  Prop. 19, on the ballot in November, changes California law to partially legalize marijuana and allow it to be regulated and taxed by local governments. Prop. 19 also prevents children and those under 21 years of age from gaining access to marijuana.

“Clearly the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle free men and women living on free soil to grow and smoke marijuana,” said RLCCA Secretary Parke Bostrom.  “Prop. 19 respects this right, while at the same time highlighting that under our Constitution, the federal government does not have authority to control the sale and possession of marijuana.”

“While some Prop. 19 advocates are calling for taxes on marijuana (cannabis) as a means of managing the pain of California’s chronic budget crisis, Prop. 19 itself creates no such taxes or regulations. The RLCCA recommends voting “YES” on Prop. 19, while at the same time strongly opposing any taxes and regulations that local governments may try to impose,” said RLCCA Chairman Matt Heath.  “It is important that voters and politicians alike remember that even after Prop. 19 passes, Article 13C of the California constitution grants voters the opportunity to block each and every new tax proposed by local governments.”

“Prop. 19 helps restore freedom to adults over what they choose to consume.  In addition, it will help reduce violence between rival drug gangs and law enforcement along the U.S./Mexico border,” said John Dennis, the Republican nominee in San Francisco’s 8th Congressional District.  “While not perfect, Prop. 19 is a big step in the right direction.”

Whereas controlling the sale and possession of marijuana is not a Constitutionally enumerated power of the federal government, but is instead a power reserved to the states; and

Whereas states that prohibit the sale of marijuana do infringe on personal freedom, and any efforts to enforce such prohibition erode civil liberties and waste taxpayer dollars; and

Whereas prohibition also concedes a monopoly to organized crime; and

Whereas taxation and regulation constitute an infringement on property rights and other vital liberties; and

Whereas Proposition 19 would legalize limited personal cultivation and possession of marijuana and empower local governments to legalize commercial production and limited retail sales; and

Whereas Proposition 19 does not directly impose any new taxes or regulations, but rather leaves those questions to local governments, subject to the taxpayer protections in Article 13C of the California Constitution; and

Whereas Proposition 19 is the only measure available this election that takes a positive step towards complete legalization;

Therefore be it Resolved that the Republican Liberty Caucus of California recommends voting YES on Proposition 19; and

Furthermore be it Resolved that the RLCCA rejects the implication of portions of Proposition 19 that special taxation and regulation of marijuana is appropriate, and once Proposition 19 is passed by the voters in November, the RLCCA urges local governments to fully allow the production of marijuana and its sale to adults without imposing special taxes or other limitations.