Pubdate: Sun, 10 Oct 2010 Source: Times-Herald, The (Vallejo, CA) Copyright: 2010 The Times-Herald Contact: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/993 Cited: Proposition 19 http://yeson19.com/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/find?272 (Proposition 19) JUST SAY 'NO' TO FAULTY PROP. 19 Like so many others in California, we've heard -- and listened to -- all the arguments for legalizing marijuana. We even agree that some have merit. Proposition 19, however, is another matter. The controversial Nov. 2 measure, which would legalize limited personal cultivation and use of marijuana and allow local governments to authorize and regulate commercial enterprises, is a certified mess. We therefore urge voters to reject it. Here's why. For starters, there's Proposition 19's distorted and contradictory message to children about drug use and gateway drugs. It's a confusing message that disarms our teachers and counselors at the very critical moments they're waging daily battles against drug usage in our schools and at home. And outside the classroom, marijuana use -- particularly by drivers - -- is a highly dangerous activity and has been blamed on numerous fatal traffic accidents. While Proposition 19 does not directly address current laws about impaired driving, the arguments for its passage make no reference to it. And then there's also the slew of legal chaos and bureaucratic red tape and confusion the measure's passage would invite in California and in Washington. Finally, the alleged economic benefits marijuana legalization would bring to California -- one of the most common arguments for passage - -- are tenuous at best, and cynical at worst. To be sure, the tide seems to be turning in California toward some sort of marijuana Advertisement legalization. Clearly, prohibition against grass has been a failure. Despite any penalties, marijuana use is widespread, and untold millions of dollars have been spent on enforcement, prosecution and incarceration. But even more has been spent on its sale. There is an unregulated multi-billion dollar marijuana market in California that enriches drug cartels and motivates dealers to promote the substance and sell it to children. Legalization of marijuana, Proposition 19 supporters argue, would all but eliminate enforcement and incarceration costs. In its place, substantial increases in tax revenues for both state and local governments would be available through legitimate sales. But their law enforcement cost arguments were weakened recently by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose signature now rests on legislation that reduces possession of less than an ounce of marijuana from a misdemeanor to an infraction, like a traffic ticket. Stretched-thin police departments have set enforcement of such minor possession as a low priority anyway, but the new law removes any enforcement pressure against such infractions as well as costly court, legal and jail expenses. Schwarzenegger has made no secret of his opposition to Proposition 19, but his bill signing, while pragmatic and political, was the right thing to do. Had he not signed it, however, Proposition 19's rejection is still proper on key jurisdictional grounds. Even if it passes, marijuana remains illegal under federal law. With or without cooperation from state and local law enforcement officials, federal agencies could -- and most likely would -- continue to enforce U.S. laws against marijuana. Legalizing marijuana is an issue best dealt with on a federal level. If Prop. 19 were an advisory measure asking the president and Congress to legalize marijuana, we might hold a different view. Instead, it would create a major conflict with the federal government that could result in considerable confusion and perhaps a loss of federal funding for drug treatment programs. We understand many Californians' frustration with marijuana prohibition, just as we sympathize with those frustrated with federal immigration policies. However, a patchwork quilt of individual state laws is not how to address issues that transcend state borders. Some people may wish to vote for Prop. 19 as a symbolic gesture in favor of legalized marijuana. But Prop. 19 is not symbolic; it has real consequences, and voters should say no on Nov. 2. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake