The stoner traitors who opposed Prop 19 claim that Jack Herer's last words were to vote No on the legislation. The claim is perpetuated in the following site and many other copied blog posts, Stoners Against the Prop. 19 Tax Cannabis Initiative: WHY PRO-POT ACTIVISTS OPPOSE PROP. 19: 19 REASONS TO VOTE KNOW I find it hard to believe that the late Jack Herer would oppose this proposition. Every activist organization was in full support of Prop 19 including NORML, MPP, SSDP, DPA and many many others. I have been a huge fan of Jack Herer since I bought his book, The Emporer Wears No Clothes, years ago. It would break my heart if he really did oppose the first credible legislation to legalize pot in decades.
He disagreed with the tax language in the initiative as he opposed any kind of restriction on marijuana. He believed that since marijuana was not to blame for its prohibition,marijuana users shouldn't have to pay for the costs incurred by our governments mistake of prohibiting it and since it is a gift of nature,no one had the right to monopolize or control the market for it. His family released a statement that I took as true. Though he opposed it before it got on the ballot,as he did 215 before it got on the ballot,he would have supported it and advocated for it because Jack was politically savvy enough to know that when you are seeking a political solution you must always "seize the day". You must take every step forward that you get the chance too because that step may not be in the next dance.
I'm struggling to really believe this, because common sense logic doesn't add up, especially from someone like Jack Herer. Even Jack should have come to the realization that in THIS day and age, nothing is going to get legalized without some form of revenue coming from it that feeds the right hands. In MJs case, this would be tax revenue. Sorry, NO other way around it. Accept that it's going to be taxed and taxed heavily (just like every other legal "vice" product out there today) and move on. The tax argument is bullshit anyway when we're currently paying hundreds of dollars for an ounce of plant matter. The "illegality tax" is WAY higher than any tax proposed by Federal or State. It is a gift of nature, and Prop 19 would have allowed it to continue to be a gift from nature by allowing citizens to grow their own.
In addition to above if you get a chance read Jack Herer's book Emperor Wears No Clothes. You would get the general idea around Jack Herer and his views on legalization of marijuana. From what I gathered is he is not for any legalization of marijuana or any questions about it because its a plant.. gift of mother Earth/God... and is akin to saying Irish American humans need legislation or a LAW to say its legal to be Irish American. But any legislation or press that would help bring the truth to the misinformed world on marijuana or hemp he would be for. But until it makes it to a law he would of kept lobbying to get more freedom for this lovely plant. (His book is online at Jack Herer's website for free check it out).