Pubdate: Wed, 05 Oct 2005
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2005 The Sacramento Bee
Contact:  http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Note: Does not publish letters from outside its circulation area.
Author: James May
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?214 (Drug Policy Alliance)

LIQUOR LOBBY CLOUT

Re "Governor faces sticky decision," Oct. 3: The lobbyist for businesses 
that sell bottled cocktails at gas station minimarts claimed that the 
opponents of AB 417, authored by Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian, are promoting 
a larger anti-alcohol agenda.

Must be the booze talking, because the Drug Policy Alliance - proponents of 
medical marijuana and drug treatment alternatives to incarceration - are 
hardly temperance ladies.

We oppose Aghazarian's bill because it didn't get a proper hearing in 
health and safety committees. The liquor industry colluded with politicians 
from both parties to rush a bill to the governor without public debate.

AB 417 may have a negative impact on rates of adolescent drinking, drunken 
driving, sex, crime and violence; therefore, it should be properly debated 
in health and safety committees. It should be vetoed on clean government 
grounds alone!

James May, Sacramento

Media Associate, Drug Policy Alliance
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D