California Pot Legalization Supporters, Opponents Low On Cash
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- The campaigns for and against a California ballot measure that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana reported little cash on hand Tuesday as they headed into the race's final month.
The initiative's sponsors reported raising nearly $310,000 during the three months ending Sept. 30. Opponents raised just over $117,000.
The Yes on 19 campaign reported having about $67,000 in cash on hand, while the "no" side has about $54,000.
Supporters of Proposition 19 have so far out-raised opponents by about 10 to 1, or $2.1 million to $210,000. Nearly three-quarters of the money has come from Oakland medical marijuana entrepreneur Richard Lee, the measure's main backer.
The Yes campaign spent more than $1.3 million of that money to qualify the measure for the ballot.
Robert Salazar, spokesman for No on Prop. 19, said the campaign would make fundraising a priority in the home stretch.
"All we really have to do on the no side is get the facts out in front of people," Salazar said. "Obviously we'd like to have a little more resources to do that."
Proposition 19 would legalize possession and cultivation of limited amounts of pot for adults' personal use. Local governments would set regulations on taxation and sales.
Despite the lack of heavy TV or radio advertising, the Yes campaign said its message was getting out online and through traditional field campaigning.
"It's a people-powered effort," said Dan Newman, a spokesman for Yes on 19.
The measure was leading 49 percent to 42 percent in a Field Poll released late last month.
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