Pubdate: Sun, 21 Oct 2012
Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2012 San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Contact: http://www.sgvtribune.com/writealetter
Website: http://www.sgvtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3725
Author: Edward Barrera
Note: Edward Barrera is a South Pasadena resident. He is a former
metro editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group and works for
a healthcare company.

MARIJUANA, ELECTIONS AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

'Your vote for a bong hit" is the kind of election slogan I could have
supported years ago, and it might become one now as California's
decision to legalize marijuana spins out of control.

The unintended consequences of Californians approving marijuana's use
for medicinal reasons is that anyone, anywhere can buy marijuana.
Local governments spend thousands to battle against the proliferation
of pot shops and the only alternative for residents opposed to the
shops is hope that the federal government will intervene.

Marijuana should be legal, taxed and regulated like cigarettes and
alcohol. The drug war is destructive, costly and ineffectual. But the
decision to change state law and disregard federal authority has made
California, among a few others, a drug dealing state. So-called
doctor-approved medical marijuana cards are easy to obtain. I know
people in New York who have received a monthly pot package from
California because the weed is safer, cheaper and apparently more
potent than street corner goods.

As owners, advocates and entrepreneurs of marijuana dispensaries
become savvier in their media relations and legal maneuverings, their
attempts to spread pot shops across California like nail salons and
overturn outright bans are increasingly successful.

Covina, which says a marijuana dispensary has violated municipal code,
may have to endure costly litigation to close a pot shop. The city
says it opened illegally. The lawyers for the dispensary say the
courts have ruled that since state law allows marijuana dispensaries,
local governments can regulate them and restrict them but can't ban
them.

Recently, Los Angeles caved under pressure from a well-organized and
well-funded marijuana dispensary campaign. Owners, advocates and the
United Food and Commercial Workers union, which has organized pot
workers in the city, gathered signatures for a ballot measure to
overturn a city pot shop ban. The City Council buckled and overturned
the ban itself.

Some of the same advocates, including the union, tried to overwhelm a
neighborhood council election in Eagle Rock, because the council wants
to slow the proliferation of pot shops. The council also applauded a
federal government crackdown of nearby dispensaries. The pro-pot
candidates failed. Fliers were seen around town offering free pot for
votes, though that might have just been election mischief.

While shenanigans are always fun to watch, the overreach of
Californian voters and the federal crackdown is leading to tragic
results. A Rancho Cucamonga man is now facing 10 years for supplying
dispensaries.

I agree with proponents who say the sentence is severe, but it's
absurd to say it's a surprise. Until the federal government ends its
crackdown, and at this point, that's unlikely, California leaders need
to step up and give local municipalities greater power to combat the
proliferation of pot shops. That may mean putting a state ballot
measure to tweak Proposition 215 in the next election.

If leaders don't lead, this situation will get worse, and local
governments will be sidelined as the federal government
indiscriminately prosecutes owners and suppliers of marijuana
dispensaries, regardless of their motivations.
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MAP posted-by: Matt