New Life for Gay Marriage

Few things in this world happen in a vacuum and the announcement in today's news on gay marriage is no exception.  It was revealed today that the supporters of placing a ban on Prop 8 did not get enough signatures to put the measure on the November ballot.  Supporters of Prop 8 see this as a victory but they might be premature.


Proposition 8 was passed in California in a previous election and makes the legal definition of marriage in this state between one man and one woman.  This is not only a blow for those of us who support gay marriage, but also for anyone who wants to have more than one spouse.  Both are outlawed in our state (as they are in most states).


A move was enacted to garner enough signatures to put a measure on the November ballot to allow the voters another try and hopefully overturn the original initiative.  This attempt has failed, since not enough signatures were gathered, but another measure has made the ballot that should be of interest to our side.


In November the voters of California will decide whether or not to continue the current law outlawing the recreational use of marijuana.  In recent polls, over 50% of likely voters have said they would vote to legalize its recreational use (it is already legal medically), and this can be good news to the people looking to overturn Prop 8.


In November we will likely pass the marijuana initiative, which will allow adults age 21 and over to have and use up to one ounce of marijuana, as well as grow their own (within certain limits).  The sale of marijuana will also be eligible to be taxed, thus giving much-needed revenue to our state.


What this means for supporters of overturning the gay marriage ban is that they have another year to gather enough signatures for the ballot in 2011.  By that time, a good portion of the population of this state will have spent the past year smoking pot any where and any time they want, and will undoubtedly be so mellow that they'll vote for just about anything.


So, for the people who joined the movement to overturn Prop 8, kick back, light up a bowl and bide your time.  By next year, it will be a whole new world.