Pubdate: Mon, 11 May 2015
Source: Los Angeles Daily News (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Contact: http://www.dailynews.com/writealetter
Website: http://www.dailynews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/246

IS IT TIME TO LIFT THE MARIJUANA PROHIBITION?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK - Has the time come to legally light a joint and 
inhale deeply without fear of penalties?

Or is pot a detrimental, mind-altering drug ripe for abuse?

That's at the heart of our question of the week: Should California 
legalize the recreational use of marijuana?

And it's one voters are likely to be faced with come November 2016 
when proponents of legalization are expected to place a measure on 
the state ballot.

California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom - a supporter of legalization who 
has declared his run for governor in 2018 - has led an ACLU-backed 
commission examining some of the difficult issues of taxation and regulation.

California was the first state to approve the use of marijuana for 
medical purposes in 1996.

But voters in California rejected a measure in 2010 that would have 
legalized the herb for all, not just those who use marijuana to treat 
ailments from cancer to backaches.

Since then, four states - Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Oregon - 
have approved the recreational use of marijuana.

One of the main arguments propelling support for legalization has 
been that marijuana offenses disproportionately affected African 
Americans and Latinos.

But last year, California voters passed Proposition 47, which 
converted many nonviolent felony drug offenses to misdemeanors.

One question is whether that will factor into the electorate's 
thinking about marijuana legalization. Does it make a difference?

A recent poll by the Public Policy Institute found 55 percent of 
voters want to eliminate the prohibition. Are you one of them? Why?

What is your biggest objection? Is it the effects on children? 
Worried about public intoxication? Or do you think it's a gateway drug?

What's the upside to lifting the ban on bud? More public revenue? 
Creating more jobs? Or how about raising the quality of life?

Email your thoughts to  Please include your full 
name and city or community of residence. Provide a daytime phone 
number. Or, if you prefer, share your views in the comments section 
that accompanies this article online.

We'll publish as many responses as possible.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom