Hopeful California Governor Jackie McGowan on cannabis reform in the Newsom Recall Race

California Governor Gavin Newsom faces a pivotal recall race on Sept. 14 as the state’s future hangs in the balance. Forty-six candidates are on the ballot, including Democratic challenger Jackie McGowan, who vows to make reform of California’s cannabis industry a priority, including lowering taxes and restrictions.

McGowan competes against the likes of conservative radio host Larry Elder and Republican Caitlyn Jenner. Living in Napa, seeing what she calls an “existential crisis” in the cannabis industry, she announced her offer last July. Voters have until today, September 7th, a request to vote by post or until September 14th in person.

On the first day, McGowan said that if she were elected, she would sign a trio of executive orders: abolishing cannabis cultivation tax, lowering cannabis excise tax to 10 percent, and declaring cannabis as an agricultural product.

“These three issues are paramount to providing immediate relief to the cannabis industry so that it can survive and compete with the thriving illegal market,” McGowan told The High Times. “The legal market is hanging on your fingernails and is in an absolute crisis. As soon as I’m elected, I can give them hope again. “

McGowan told the Sacramento Bee that she initially chose to run for governor because of the mismanagement of the cannabis industry in California and has since expanded her platform. High tax rates only encourage the black market, proponents say.

McGowan’s platform includes goals to decriminalize psilocybin, strengthen evacuation laws for renters, and legalize sex work in Nevada.

If more than 50 percent of the votes cast in the September 14 special election are to oust Newsom, the recall candidate with the most votes will be replaced. In the event that Governor Newsom is removed, he would be the third American governor and the second in California to be removed from office. The last time this happened was when former Governor Gray Davis was deposed in 2003 and replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Photo credit: Jack Simpson Photography, courtesy of Jackie McGowan.

McGowan worked as a cannabis policy advocate and advocate for seven years and previously spent 18 years on Wall Street, according to her campaign website. “I’m an 18-year-old Wall Street veteran and have worked in cannabis policy, counseling, and lobbying for the past 7 years,” McGowan said on her website. “I had a front-row seat on how politics worked in the Capitol, as well as a close relationship with how cannabis legalization was a pathetic failure.”

McGowan’s website reads “Question 1 – Vote NO” and “Question 2 – Vote Jacqueline McGowan”. McGowan said she would rely on orders from the executive branch as governor rather than relying on the legislature controlled by the democratic super-majority.

The candidate chose not to target Governor Newsom, but she ran to make sure the power of the California governor’s seat didn’t fall into the wrong hands. “I will not be asking you to vote yes to question 1,” McGowan stated on her website. “But for question 2, California must have an option that represents its spirit, and I really want to be that candidate for you. I am excited about the chance to serve California without being tied to corporate money or party interests. “

He struggled during Governor Newsom’s first term as governor after winning California’s 2018 gubernatorial election by nearly 62 percent of all votes. For example, Governor Newsom has been criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and other pressing issues like homelessness and forest fire management.

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders appeared in advertisements urging voters to vote against the removal of Governor Newsom. President Joe Biden tweeted last month calling on Californians to vote against Newsom’s dismissal.