Pubdate: Tue, 14 Nov 2006
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Section: Page B - 8
Copyright: 2006 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Charlie Goodyear, Chronicle Staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

SUPES TO VOTE ON EASING OF MARIJUANA LAWS

Opponents Predict Increase In Crime, Use Of Harder Drugs

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors will vote today on legislation 
that would set nearly all crimes involving marijuana as the lowest 
law enforcement priority for city police.

The legislation, sponsored by Supervisor Tom Ammiano, was approved 
Monday by a board committee with the blessing of police officials and 
over the complaints of some residents.

"This measure, which would legalize the unlimited growth and sales 
(of marijuana) on private property, will make public spitting and 
(leaving chewing) gum ... on the sidewalk higher priorities," said 
Kim Stryker, voicing opposition before the supervisors' City 
Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee.

Ammiano introduced the legislation in August at the behest of groups 
pushing for the national decriminalization of marijuana. He defended 
the policy move, saying it is consistent with Proposition W, a 
measure passed in 1976 by city voters calling for an end to marijuana 
arrests and prosecutions, and state Prop. 215, which provides for 
medical use of cannabis.

"There are many better ways that we can be using our tax dollars and 
empowering our law enforcement than wasting money and police 
resources on marijuana offenses," Ammiano said. "This ordinance would 
allow San Francisco to join other forward-thinking cities. It will 
not result in San Francisco becoming Amsterdam West."

Under the proposed legislation, police would be directed to 
essentially ignore most marijuana crimes unless they involve minors 
or acts of violence, driving under the influence or the sale or 
distribution of pot on public property or within view from public property.

San Francisco Police Capt. Tim Hedrick, head of the department's 
narcotics squad, said Ammiano's legislation is consistent with police 
policy on marijuana crimes. "It does not tie our hands enforcing the 
law," he told the committee.

But a number of residents protested the legislation, saying it will 
encourage crime and the use of harder drugs such as cocaine or heroin.

"It will undermine the efforts of people who live in marginal 
neighborhoods to make their neighborhoods safe, clean and peaceful," 
said Arthur Evans, a Haight-Ashbury resident. "This measure is an 
attack on the well-being of our neighborhoods. You should not throw 
obstacles in our way. You should help us to make San Francisco more 
safe and livable."

Supervisor Fiona Ma, a member of the committee hearing Ammiano's 
legislation, also spoke out against it, saying she believed it 
"establishes a new policy that has not been presented to the voters." 
Ma broke with Supervisor Jake McGoldrick, the committee's chairman, 
and Ammiano in voting against the legislation Monday.

Although the city doesn't track marijuana arrests and prosecutions, 
the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has said 
that more than 1,000 people were arrested in cases involving the drug in 2004.

Dale Gieringer of the California chapter of the organization said 
cities that have adopted a lax policy toward marijuana have not seen 
it contribute to crime -- which is an argument activists make for 
legalization of marijuana under federal law.

"We have to start somewhere, and we have to act locally," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman