Californians for Sensible Reform
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| Californians for Sensible Reform | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Irvine, Calif.[1] |
| Founder(s): | Justin Hartfield |
| Year founded: | 2015 |
| Website: | Official website |
As of 2019, Californians for Sensible Reform (CSR) was a political organization that supports "common-sense fixes to California's marijuana laws." The group was sponsored by Weedmaps Media LLC, the parent company of the marijuana dispensary locator Weedmaps.com. [2][3]
Background
Californians for Sensible Reform (CSR) was founded in April 2015 by Justin Hartfield, CEO of Weedmaps Media LLC, the parent company of the marijuana dispensary locator Weedmaps.com. CSR had an affiliated ballot measure committee of the same name and an affiliated political action committee, Californians for Sensible Reform PAC. The CSR ballot measure committee supported California Proposition 64, a 2016 ballot measure that would legalize and regulate marijuana in the state. The CSR PAC aimed to support "political candidates with pro-decriminalization voting records."[3]
"Decriminalization of adult marijuana use in California is bigger than any business — it's a generational cause and an economic imperative," said Hartfield in an April 2015 press release.[3]
As of 2016, the CSR website identified the group's following four justifications for marijuana legalization in California:[2]
- Keep it away from kids
CSR argues that the regulation of alcohol makes it less accessible to children than marijuana. By regulating marijuana in the same way as alcohol, CSR aims to decrease marijuana accessibility by California children. - Keep it away from criminals
CSR contends that the legalization of marijuana will decrease marijuana-related revenue for criminals and drug cartels. - A new revenue source to provide for our future
CSR claims that the legalization and regulation of marijuana will add additional revenue to the state budget to support future growth in public services and infrastructure. - Lead the country again
CSR believes that marijuana legalization will provide California with the opportunity to be a national leader in the development of marijuana laws and regulations.
Political activity
Californians for Sensible Reform's (CSR) affiliated ballot measure committee and political action committee aimed to carry out the organization's overall mission through support of pro-decriminalization ballot initiatives and political candidates.
Ballot measure activity
The CSR ballot measure committee supported California Proposition 64, a 2016 ballot measure that would legalize and regulate marijuana in the state.[1]
“We’re doing it because legal adult use of marijuana is inevitable,” said Hartfield in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle. “We wanted to do it to make a statement that we’re serious about this.”[4]
Overview of ballot measure support and opposition
The following table details CSR's ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:
| Ballot measure support and opposition for Californians for Sensible Reform | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot measure | Year | Position | Amount | Status |
| California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization (2016) | 2016 | Supported[5] | $750,000[1] |  Approved
|
Candidates
The CSR PAC aimed to support "political candidates with pro-decriminalization voting records." The group had to abide by California's campaign finance laws, including candidate contribution limits.[3]
Overview of candidate support and opposition
The following table details CSR PAC's contributions to political candidates available on Ballotpedia:
| Candidate contributions for Californians for Sensible Reform PAC[1] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Candidate | Party | Office | Amount |
| 2015 | Raul Bocanegra |  |
California State Assembly District 39 | $4,200[1] |
| 2015 | Phil Ting | |
California State Assembly District 19 | $2,000[1] |
Leadership
The following individuals held leadership positions with Californians for Sensible Reform during the 2016 election cycle:[1]
- Justin Hartfield, Founder
- Jen Slater, Treasurer
Finances
The Californians for Sensible Reform (CSR) ballot measure committee received a $1 million contribution from WeedMaps Media LLC in April 2015. As of August 2016, the group reported $756,437.93 in total expenditures.[1][6]
The CSR PAC received a $10,000 contribution from WeedMaps Media LLC in May 2015. As of August 2016, the PAC reported $6,200 in candidate contributions.[1]
See also
- Marijuana on the ballot
- California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization (2016)
- Raul Bocanegra
- Phil Ting
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Cal-Access, "Californians for Sensible Reform, Sponsored by Ghost Management Group, LLC DBA Weedmaps," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Californians for Sensible Reform, "Home," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 PRNewswire.com, "New Political Committees Formed to Elevate Causes, Candidates in Support of Sensible Reform of California's Marijuana Laws," April 20, 2015
- ↑ Breitbart, "Marijuana Businesses to Play Big Money Role in CA ’16 Legalization Efforts," April 19, 2015
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMarijuana - ↑ SFGATE, "Pot startup donates $2 million in bid to legalize marijuana in CA," April 17, 2015
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