The California State Sheriffs Association claims marijuana seriously impairs driving and has other adverse consequences (AP, Mercury News, June 28). Yet researchers find that while obviously inadvisable, marijuana only modestly affects driving (Journal of Drug And Alcohol Dependence, June 23, 2016). Marijuana users know their performance is impaired and compensate by slowing down and being especially attentive. By contrast, inebriated drivers are seriously impaired. They merely think they are in control; in fact, they speed, weave across lanes, have lethally slower reaction times, and cause thousands of accidents (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 2015). [continues 161 words]
A Bill Headed to Brown's Desk Would Give Shops a Six-Month Grace Period to Pay $106 Million in Taxes. SACRAMENTO - Estimating that two-thirds of the medical marijuana stores in California have failed to pay sales taxes, state officials on Tuesday took a carrot-and-stick approach to persuade pot shops to pay the $106 million owed. With the state preparing to license medical marijuana shops in 2018, the Assembly sent Gov. Jerry Brown a bill Tuesday that would establish a tax amnesty program to help bring scofflaws into compliance with the law. [continues 487 words]
Opponents of the fall measure to legalize recreational marijuana for California adults argued Tuesday that broader marijuana use would endanger motorists. Speaking to The Sacramento Bee editorial board, Doug Villars, president of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, criticized Proposition 64 for lacking an established standard such as what exists for alcohol. It's illegal for those with 0.08 percent or more of alcohol in their blood to drive. "That's a big deterrent, which keeps people from going out at these higher levels and driving, which obviously has the effect of lessening the amount of traffic accidents in California, lessening the amount of injury accidents and lessening the amount of traffic fatalities we have on a statewide basis," he said. [continues 406 words]
State water officials will be in Ukiah today to explain their role in ensuring that marijuana is grown in an environmentally safe manner under the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act. According to the State Water Resources Control Board, officials are developing a "regulatory program to protect California waters from harmful activities related to cannabis cultivation. The program will prohibit waste discharges from agricultural practices, land clearing and grading activities in rural areas and forests." Along with staff from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, water officials will discuss their efforts to "develop and adopt interim principles and guidelines to ensure that water diversion and discharge associated with commercial cannabis cultivation do not affect the instream flows needed for fish spawning, migration, and rearing, and the flows needed to maintain natural flow variability." [continues 289 words]
Marijuana is the very definition of a cash crop -and the windfall will only grow if California voters legalize recreational pot in November. But what to do with all that cash? It's a pressing problem and it isn't fixed by Proposition 64. The big hurdle is that the federal government still treats marijuana medical or otherwise as an illegal drug. So major banks and other financial institutions won't take pot businesses as customers for fear of losing their federal charters. That forces dispensaries and other marijuana businesses to deal almost entirely in cash, an invitation to robbery and shady accounting. [continues 692 words]
California politicians have traditionally opposed legalizing marijuana. In 2010, amid fierce debate about the pot legalization measure Proposition 19, every statewide elected official expressed disapproval. In more recent years, officials have suggested they wanted to wait to see how legalization played out in other states. Proposition 64, a recreational marijuana initiative on the fall ballot, is generating a slight thaw in political perspectives on legalizing the drug. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a candidate for governor in 2018, is the measure's highest-ranking supporter. But still many others remain undecided or in opposition. [continues 1093 words]
The town hall meeting, in a cavernous garage on an industrial side street in Gardena, was billed as an opportunity to learn about cannabis from some of the industry's experts. I assumed there would be strong arguments made in favor of Proposition 64, the November ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use. But it hardly seemed necessary. From what I could tell, most of those in the room were already on board. Some had recently started businesses or were contemplating how to get a piece of what assuredly is going to be a huge economic pie if Proposition 64 passes. [continues 872 words]
UPLAND - At least once a week, commercial real estate agent Tom Mitchell said he is approached by operators of medical marijuana dispensaries looking to open up shop in town. The problem is, such enterprises are illegal in Upland and have been for several years. To skirt around the problem, the operators often offer to pay three times the asking rent and six months' security deposit. Some are willing to pay any legal fees they may incur, said Mitchell, who manages three commercial properties in Upland with about 100 tenants. [continues 992 words]
"Santa Rosa wants this industry here. I think this is probably going to be the New Age Amsterdam." - - Larry Schaeffer, owner of Cherry Kola Farms near Penngrove, a medical cannabis collective Really? Says who? I don't mean to be rude. But who in the world made the decision that Santa Rosa wanted to become the new Amsterdam? Even Amsterdam doesn't even want to be Amsterdam - or at least the Amsterdam perceived by hordes of party-minded tourists. Contrary to popular belief, the Dutch never legalized marijuana. They've just basically tolerated it for years and only for possession of small amounts (5 grams or less) sold in official "cannabis cafes." But the government in recent years has been tightening the rules for these cafes, forcing many to shut down. And forget about growing it. It's illegal. You won't go to prison but try to grow as few as five plants and you could end up facing heavy fines and eviction. [continues 1139 words]
As Californians get ready to vote Nov. 8 on whether to legalize recreational marijuana, there are broader public health questions to consider. A pregnant woman has morning sickness so severe she can't keep food down, so she stirs some cannabis-infused oil into her morning tea to regain her appetite. An elderly man has chronic pain that keeps him up at night, so he smokes marijuana most nights before he and his wife go to bed. There's a growing body of research that suggests marijuana can help with conditions such as nausea and pain while posing only modest health risks for adults. But as Californians get ready to vote Nov. 8 on whether to legalize recreational marijuana, there are broader public health questions to consider, from whether it affects developing fetuses to the impacts of secondhand smoke. [continues 882 words]
Sam Quinones makes an impassioned plea for state regulation of legal cannabis potency levels to safeguard children and to protect responsible adult cannabis users in his story, "Regulate potency in pot before legalizing it" (Forum, Aug. 21). I agree, and it is exactly why I, along with a bipartisan coalition of legislators, authored the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act, which was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last year and provides California's first comprehensive regulations for medical cannabis to protect patients, promote public safety and preserve the environment. [continues 316 words]
Justin Calvino raked a hand beneath a shimmering marijuana plant, combing through chips of century-old apple trees and manure from his stable of miniature horses. Come fall, the rich soil on his North Mendocino coast pot farm coupled with other factors like characteristic foggy mornings will yield high-grade sativa buds dripping with mind-altering potency - as well as notes of chocolate and lime. It's a unique product for discriminating palates and one Calvino hopes to market to consumers across California through a legally defined and protected geographical identification system similar to what's used in the wine industry. [continues 1442 words]
If you do anything on Election Day, get out there and get all of your friends and neighbors to vote no on Measure L. Think of the reasons you decided to move to, or stay in, Butte County - - rapidly becoming one of the few nice California communities left with small family farms, nice neighborhoods and decent people. Pot farmers have already brought crime and nuisance to our communities. Now with Measure L they threaten to up the ante even further: huge indoor grows up to one-half acre; outdoor grows occupying up to one-quarter of a parcel; dispensaries every 1,000 feet; and damage to the environment including chemicals that poison our land and waters and kill pets and wildlife. [continues 103 words]
Among the 17 statewide ballot measures on Californians' Nov. 8 ballots will be Proposition 64, which claims to legalize recreational marijuana use in the state. Plenty of good reasons spring to mind to vote in favor of Prop 64, not the least of which is the new revenue stream it would bring from taxes on the drug, as well as potentially reduced costs in, or at least redirection of, law enforcement. But there are three solid reasons that should give voters pause. First, it's illegal. "It is important to recognize that these state marijuana (legalization) laws do not change the fact that using marijuana continues to be an offense under federal law," says the office of National Drug Control Policy. The federal Controlled Substances Act outlaws cannabis. [continues 515 words]
The higher the THC content in cannabis, the smaller amount required to be ingested for the desired effect. It is wrong to compare substances that have lethal doses, such as alcohol and opiates, to cannabis, which does not. End prohibition and there will be no reason to buy cannabis from criminals. In California, we have developed hundreds of mom-and-pop growers. We are not going back to Mexican weed no matter how hard the government tries to force a return. The misinformation spread by the prohibitionists will only get more prevalent as more people come to believe it is time for prohibition to end. Dan King, Sacramento [end]
But Supporters of California Bill Say Such Advertising Isn't Possible Polls show that Californians generally support marijuana legalization. But opponents of the state's Proposition 64 have seized on a new message that they hope will persuade voters to reject the ballot measure in November: the idea that legalization would lead to a flood of TV ads for marijuana. The assertion is based on a provision in the measure that states that advertising for marijuana products "shall only be displayed where at least 71.6 percent of the audience is reasonably expected to be 21 years of age or older." It mirrors the language of the alcohol industry's self-imposed advertising restrictions. [continues 499 words]
Of all the wrongs meted out by the criminal justice system, few are more unfair to poor, mostly minority Americans than the way police abuse civil asset forfeiture laws. Every year, cops seize and keep millions of dollars in cash and property from people who haven't been charged with - or convicted of - - a crime. They do it without warrants and use proceeds from the seized assets to pad depleted police department budgets. Stories abound of Californians being pulled over for minor traffic offenses only to have their vehicles towed away and cash taken. Nationally, police take more property from Americans than burglars do, violating rights in the name of fighting crime. [continues 333 words]
Re "Regulate potency in pot before legalizing it" (Forum, Aug. 21): Any attempt to regulate the potency - the THC level - of cannabis will just keep the black market thriving and the drug cartels profiting. Environmental disasters due to rogue growers will not be curtailed. The author says he researched his story, but he compares cannabis to alcohol and opiates? Marijuana is nowhere near as addicting, and no one has ever died from excessive cannabis intake. Decades of research point to a variety of medical uses for this unique compound, including pain relief, relief from PTSD, nausea and vomiting, as well as appetite stimulation, and benefits for asthma, glaucoma and as a sleep aid. The much revered Rick Simpson Oil used as a cure for cancer contains a high level of THC. I do agree with Sam Quinones that "legalizing marijuana needs to happen," but not with his concept of regulating the THC level. Jeff Ball, Sacramento [end]
Staff Reports Chico - A nearly year-long investigation resulted in a raid Tuesday on a downtown business that police say netted marijuana-refining equipment for sale and landed three men in jail. The Dungeon, a jewelry and smoking shop on the 100 block of Broadway, had been under investigation for 11 months, according to a news release from the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force. The narcotics agents served a search warrant Tuesday around 1:30 p.m. Four complete closed loop butane honey oil production systems, components for additional systems, including extraction tubes, presses and commercial grade ovens, more than 1,000 cans of butane and 13 canisters of 14-pound butane refrigerant were found at the store, according to the release. [continues 181 words]
So I just heard that some people are using high doses of CBD to counteract the effects of ingesting too much THC. Does this really work? - -Oso Hyman Good question. One of the things we know about cannabidiol (CBD) is that it acts as a sort of THC inhibitor. Cannabis plants with a high amount of THC but low CBD content will get you "higher" than plants with a high CBD content, even if the THC percentage is the same. No one has done any studies yet, but there are anecdotal reports of folks, especially those folks that enjoy cannabis concentrates (hash, wax, dabs, hash oil, etc.) or edibles, using either a sublingual CBD tincture or pills containing a high amount of CBD, to assuage the effects of overindulgence. In fact, my homie Grand Daddy Mike is working on a commercial product designed to lessen the effects of THC in case of accidental or intentional cannabis overindulgence. [continues 359 words]
Who's Afraid of the Bulgarians? I get alarmed calls every week about the Bulgarians. They're paying exorbitant sums for property in Petrolia, Bridgeville and Alderpoint, I'm told. They're jogging along rural roads with automatic rifles strapped to their backs, according to one woman at a recent community meeting. They're buying out family ranches and slowly taking over the county. And - although absolutely no proof has been offered from either my tipsters or law enforcement - they're all somehow connected to an organized crime cartel. [continues 597 words]
My first encounter with the cannabis industry was in November 2014 at a marijuana business conference in Las Vegas. At the time, the plant was not part of my life, but the story of a federally illegal drug at the center of the country's fastest growing industry seemed like an incomparably rich subject. Soon, I was making plans to move to Denver to cover the business story of the decade. Almost two years in, I still think legalization is both inherently fascinating and historically important. It's been a source of puzzlement to me why there aren't more reporters who agree. In its implications for American life, legalization is up there with marriage equality, Black Lives Matter and perhaps even climate change, but it hasn't generated the same kind of national debate. [continues 661 words]
Rancho Cordova Bans Dispensaries, Sacramento Allows Them and Other Cities Fall in the Middle Sometimes, Stephanie Raskin smokes marijuana to stop thinking about suicide. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression, she remains stable through a blend of prescription pills that must be constantly tweaked to match her body chemistry. When the pharmaceuticals fall short, she supplements her treatment with medical marijuana. But her hometown, Rancho Cordova, bans dispensaries. And the closest one is 11 miles away. "It's frustrating," she said. "Especially with my condition, I get debilitatingly depressed to the point where everything is a monumental task. I only smoke because my depression can cause suicidal thoughts. And sativa can keep me from reaching those depths. I'm not one of those sit-on-the-couch stoners." [continues 781 words]
The California State Sheriffs' Association claims marijuana seriously impairs driving and has other adverse consequences. Yet researchers find that while obviously inadvisable, marijuana only modestly affects driving (Journal of Drug And Alcohol Dependence, June 23, 2016). Marijuana users know their performance is impaired and compensate by slowing down and being especially attentive. By contrast, inebriated drivers are seriously impaired. They merely think they are in control; in fact, they speed, weave across lanes, have lethally slower reaction times, and cause thousands of accidents (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 2015). [continues 113 words]
Two groups studying the cannabis economy say legalizing recreational marijuana in California will provide a $1.6 billion boost in revenue from expanded retail marijuana sales. The projections on California's Proposition 64 legalization measure in November come from two firms with a vested interest in expanding the marijuana business. The market study was completed by New Frontier Data, a Washington, D.C., firm conducting cannabis market research, and the ArcView Group, an Oakland organization specializing in attracting investment for marijuana businesses and legalization causes. [continues 314 words]
State Assemblyman Jim Wood's Cottage Cannabis Farmers Bill cleared one of its last hurdles Wednesday and was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk for a final signature, after which it would become law. Assembly Bill 2516 would establish a new medical marijuana cultivator license category for what Wood calls, "microfarmers." The new license, or specialty cottage cultivator license, would be available to farmers with 2,500 square feet or less of total canopy size for mixed-light cultivation, up to 25 mature marijuana plants for outdoor cultivation, or 500 square feet or less of total canopy size for indoor cultivation, per parcel. [continues 124 words]
EDITOR: You recently reported that Santa Rosa officials "see significant economic development opportunities" associated with the (assumed) future legalization of marijuana ("SR aims to be epicenter of legal pot industry," Aug. 14). In a subsequent editorial ("Defining Santa Rosa's place in the pot industry," Aug. 17), you suggested a cautionary approach because of the many unresolved issues associated with the marijuana industry. These advocacy efforts should also consider a few unmentioned issues: In Colorado, consumption of marijuana by youth 12-17 years old has significantly increased since recreational marijuana was legalized. Usage is 74 percent higher than the national average. [continues 145 words]
Santa Rosa has rolled out the welcome mat to the marijuana industry, and the first firm through the door is affiliated with none other than the godfather of ganja - Bob Marley. Privateer Holdings, a Seattle investment firm aiming to build a global marijuana brand based on the image of the famed Jamaican reggae singer, has picked Santa Rosa to be the headquarters for its expansion into the lucrative California cannabis market. City officials Tuesday approved a request by the company to set up a medical cannabis-processing, manufacturing and distribution center in a nondescript business park in southwest Santa Rosa. [continues 1021 words]
Re: DEA is blowing more smoke over marijuana, Fresno Bee editorial Aug. 14. We are like the frogs in the pot of water. Only we the frogs are turning up the heat on ourselves by passing Proposition 64 and making marijuana legal for recreational use. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are at least three problems with marijuana use: It may cause the user to become paranoid schizophrenic. [continues 108 words]
Re: "Prop. 47 giving men, women second chance" [Opinion, Aug. 21]: B. Wayne Hughes Jr. notes that Prop. 47 changes lives. I couldn't agree more. Now that we have so many more homeless drug addicts being released into our neighborhoods and cities, our life has indeed changed. What is it that supporters of this proposition don't understand? When you don't hold people accountable for their actions, they will repeat those actions over and over. And why is it now "non-serious" to steal up to $950 from me? [continues 56 words]
If Californians legalize marijuana under Proposition 64 in November, legal cannabis sales in the state likely will climb by $1.6 billion within the first year of implementation, according to a report released Tuesday. That would put the state's medical and recreational market on track to hit $6.5 billion in revenue by 2020 up from $2.8 billion in 2015, industry research firms Arcview Group and New Frontier state in the report. And the researchers argue it would serve as a "watershed moment" for the industry in and outside the United States. [continues 868 words]
As Secure As San Quentin Seems, Contraband Slips In SAN QUENTIN, Calif. - Condemned murderer Michael Jones was acting strangely and profusely sweating when guards escorted him in chains to the San Quentin medical unit that doubles as the psych ward on death row. "Doggone, I don't think you're ever going to see me again," he told a fellow inmate, Clifton Perry. Hours later, Jones was dead. Toxicology tests later found that he had toxic levels of methamphetamine in his blood. [continues 1388 words]
Many Glowing Remarks Come From the Same Ip Address, a Software Flaw Shows. Millions of consumers treat Weedmaps like the Yelp for pot, relying on the Irvine company as their definitive guide to marijuana dispensaries, varieties and doctors. But a key feature - user reviews of pot businesses - may be tainted by thousands of potentially fraudulent comments, a flaw in the company's software revealed. Reviews on the site are pseudonymous, and visitors reasonably expect that each is written by a unique customer. But data that Weedmaps mistakenly leaked suggests that a large proportion of glowing remarks come from individual users leaving multiple reviews of a single business. [continues 1094 words]
EDITOR: Now that we're embracing another one of the big vices, marijuana (gambling was the first big one), it's time to consider the next one. Perhaps we can embrace prostitution and the state gets a percentage? Nevada does that. California is missing out. But let's start thinking bigger. For a fee, young men could speed down the freeway at 100 mph without getting a ticket. For a fee, the cops will look the other way while you kill someone. Robbers would be allowed to steal if they give a cut to the police. [continues 120 words]
Humboldt County's proposed excise tax for medical marijuana farms has created a rift between local growers. Several farmers have come out against the tax model, calling it premature, hasty and partial to larger farms. Other cultivators say they are supportive of it and feel that the time is ripe to pay their fair share in society to bring in badly needed revenue for county schools, roads and mental health services among others. But the recently created Humboldt County Cannabis Chamber of Commerce argues the tax measure as written "misses the mark" on those funding goals. [continues 631 words]
In 1987, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America aired a public service announcement that went on to become a classic of modern pop culture. It likened an egg to "your brain" and a hot pan to "drugs." The egg was then fried in the pan, and the viewer was informed that "this is your brain on drugs." The ad concluded: "Any questions?" Presumably this was meant to be rhetorical, but now the ad is back in a revamped form, which includes children asking questions about drugs. "Mom, Dad, did you ever try drugs?" asks one child. [continues 687 words]
Federal officials remain in a haze when it comes to articulating a comprehensible policy on marijuana. Perhaps last week's ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals curtailing the feds from prosecuting legitimate growers and distributors will help clear the air. Half the nation's states, led by California, permit medicinal applications. Four states and the District of Columbia allow recreational use. In November, California could become the fifth. Yet the federal government still sees marijuana as a dangerous drug and dispensary operators as prosecution targets. [continues 352 words]
The pot pushers have outdone themselves this time. Their new pot initiative covers everything from A to Z. They forgot one thing though. The A team. For all the money they spent, the Measure L team, which stands for loser by the way, will lose yet again. The A team will win each and every time. The loser team now wants to be commercial "medical" farmers. They want dispensaries, they want to transport pot to their "patients." They want to grow on up to 25 percent of parcel size, maximum 1 acre. They want to rezone to fit their needs. They want to be called farmers, and call their mind-altering drug a crop, and therefore agriculture. On 1 acre, 3,250 plants can be grown. Can you imagine? This will effect the whole of Butte County. We do not have enough water for our food crop farmers, property owners' wells are running dry. The abuses and negatives of pot are long and well known. [continues 97 words]
In November, California will consider whether to legalize recreational marijuana, and voters seem ready to approve the idea. But the question of legalization is out of date, and is derived from the mistaken idea that all pot is created equal and that most of it is fairly weak. A question we ought to ask ourselves is just as important if legalization is to succeed: What kind of marijuana should we legalize? The hyper-potent mutant strains that pass for marijuana today have little relation to naturally grown pot associated with Northern California hippie growers of the 1970s. Levels of THC tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical that creates the high in pot now reach 20 to 30 percent, which is seven to 15 times the potency of a few decades ago. [continues 736 words]
I often do not agree with Debra J. Saunders; however, I found her views regarding use of marijuana to be spoton. The fact that marijuana is still classified as a Schedule 1 drug, by the Drug Enforcement Administration, is outrageous. The penalties for its possession and or use are draconian. The federal government crackdown on medical marijuana is even more outrageous. This War on Drugs has been an absolute failure. Donald Beck, Novato [end]
EDITOR: Santa Rosa is a destination for tourism, dining, wine tasting, boutique breweries, cycling, and the list goes on. Job growth and increasing real estate values are all the more reason not to encourage an industry such as the production of cannabis to be a part of our local economy ("SR aims to be epicenter of legal pot industry," Aug. 14). It brings with it health and safety hazards and environmental concerns. The industry also encourages low-wage earners and has low-density employment. [continues 59 words]
In less than three months, Californians will vote on legalizing production, distribution and possession of recreational cannabis. Tax revenues are central to that debate, but the really important question is not so much what taxes would be best today but how those taxes should evolve over time. What many people don't realize is that even if voters reject Proposition 64, state and local officials will still need to deal with cannabis taxes because California's medical cannabis market is undergoing enormous reforms. The new regulatory regime is expected to start licensing for-profit firms to supply medical cannabis in 2018. [continues 719 words]
Californians first threatened to legalize recreational marijuana by ballot initiative in 1972. It failed 66% to 33%. We tried again in 2010. It was voted down 53% to 46%. Now we're back at it. This time, though Proposition 64 looks like a sure thing. Polls show support for legalization in general at 55%, and 60% among likely voters. What's so different this time around? Yes, demographics and attitudes have shifted here, like everywhere. But you also have to understand what went wrong back in 2010. At the time, California - the state that pioneered pot for the people - seemed poised to become the first state to legalize recreational marijuana, but the cause was unexpectedly hurt by the state's convoluted history with medical marijuana. [continues 724 words]
Federal officials remain in a haze when it comes to articulating a comprehensible national policy on marijuana. Perhaps last week's ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals curtailing the feds from prosecuting legitimate growers and distributors will help clear the air. Half the nation's states, led by California, permit medicinal applications. Four states and the District of Columbia allow recreational use. In November, California could become the fifth. Yet the federal government still sees marijuana as a dangerous drug and dispensary operators as prosecution targets. [continues 352 words]
During my long medical career, I campaigned against nicotine, excessive alcohol and drug use. I use none. Marijuana, however, must be legalized. Its effects are certainly less than alcohol. Medically, marijuana has shown good effect in cancer and AIDS therapy, PTSD help, chronic pain, seizures, migraines, gastrointestinal problems and other illness, all denied by the DEA and rarely allowed as evidence in courts. It has been used for thousands of years in many countries. It appears well tolerated with little evidence of intense addiction (unlike alcohol). [continues 92 words]
The active ingredient of marijuana, THC (Cannabis), has been available by prescription from medical doctors since 1985. The FDA has allowed a pill form to be prescribed for wasting related to AIDS and for terminal cancer patients. THC pills are regulated just like any other prescription. The FDA could extend coverage to other conditions only when scientific, evidence-based studies prove that they are effective. To this date, evidence is lacking. According to the highly respected, "Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, Aug. 1: "No adequate studies of cannabis (botanical marijuana) are available for any of these indications" (cancer pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and neuropathic pain). [continues 54 words]
Prohibition, by any meaningful measure, appears to have failed. Overcrowded prisons, over burdened court systems and a dramatic socio-economic impact on those prosecuted. Compared to the Netherlands, the U.S. exceeds in marijuana usage. Cartels are destroying our national forests to compete locally with California's Emerald Triangle. Local growers liken themselves to eco-conscious hippies, yet documented forest and watershed damage disproves this. Every county heavy in the pot trade voted no to legalization in 2010. Untold millions of untaxed dollars would shift from their pockets to the state coffers. California's economy is sixth globally, without reaping a single tax dollar from this enormous black-market trade. [continues 59 words]
All we need is to make it easier for young people to get pot. Since the proposed law draws the line at 21, what makes you think that young people 21 or older won't find an easy side job of selling to 18 to 20 years olds? They will say that if you can vote or be drafted at 18, why not smoke pot? Pot smoke might not be as bad as tobacco, but it surely can't be good for you. Any elected person who supports legalizing pot should not be in office. Vote no on pot and anyone who supports it. Richard A Nishkian Walnut Creek [end]
Are you kidding? Teens are too young to buy cigarettes and alcohol. Yet you see these young people smoking in public. How many times have we read about a fatal car accident that involved a drunk teenage driver? And now California wants to add a third dimension with recreational marijuana being legalized. Young people will buy this drug secondhand from some legal purchasers. Wake up and vote no. Mary McMahon Livermore [end]
Pot pushers have enough money to bankroll a serious campaign to make California the third state allowing legalized sale and recreational use of marijuana. Washington and Colorado are already experiencing the tragic results: increased car accidents due to intoxication and increased smoking by young people. If you think Big Tobacco companies are a scourge, why would you vote to create a new industry to promote another addictive, cancer causing product? Proposition 64 even allows TV advertising for marijuana sales promotion. Do you want your kids bombarded with advertising encouraging them to light up a joint? [continues 65 words]
Inside California
