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California Marijuana Referendum: New York Must Be Next

Libertarian candidate for Governor Kristin Davis today hailed the California ballot measure making marijuana legal in that State as an important milestone for legalization in New York State.

"Californian's have figured out what New Yorker's need to figure out," said Kristin Davis, formerly known as the Manhattan Madam who supplied high-priced escorts for Eliot Spitzer while in public office. "Marijuana is a $10 billion a year industry in New York State. Its legalization and taxation will help New York's current financial crises."

In November, Californians will be able to vote for full Marijuana legalization and have collected 433,971 signatures to put the measure on the ballot. The referendum would legalize, tax and regulate marijuana; a plan that advocates say could raise $1.4 billion a year and save precious law enforcement and prison resources.

"Facing a $20 billion budget deficit, Californian voters have taken the bull by the horns to embrace something that has already been occurring in their State - legalization of Marijuana," said Davis.

"California is setting a precedent that hard times call for innovative solutions," says Davis. "California is facing an enormous budget deficit and rather than raise taxes in a struggling economy, the voters have taken measures into their own hands and put the issue on the ballot so that the people can decide. Californians are sending the message that they are unhappy with the status-quo and are taking their State back".

"It's time New York follows suit," says Davis. "As our budget deficit rises to over $9 billion, it's time we look for ways of bringing in new revenue rather than increase taxes on struggling New Yorkers. None of the career politicians offer any solutions to our troubled economy; they only offer more of the same - tax increases and service cuts."

"Our budget shortfall has gone from $7 Billion, to $9 Billion, to an estimate $15 Billion in just a few weeks," said Davis who was the Vice President of a Hedge Fund before opening the world's most lucrative escort service. "Legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana will generate $1 billion in new revenues, save millions in wanted law enforcement, cut court costs and help balance the budget."

Davis said she would strongly support an Opt-Out clause where localities could opt by local vote not to sell marijuana in that locality. "I believe in home rule and local option. Some counties may choose to allow legal pot sales, others may not."

"New York has millions of marijuana users who would gladly pay taxes if marijuana was legalized," said Davis who has vowed to petition her way onto the ballot as the candidate of a new party or seek the New York Libertarian nomination.

Davis has made support for the legalization of prostitution and marijuana and gaming as her platform to raise new revenues without tax increases. For more information on Kristin Davis for Governor, go to http://www.kristindavis2010.com.