Editorial Boards Say “Vote NO” on Proposition 19

Sep 03 |00:00

SACRAMENTO – The editorial boards of the North County Times today and the Gilroy Dispatch yesterday recommended their readers vote NO on Proposition 19, the poorly written measure to legalize the recreational use of marijuana statewide.

The North County Times editorial board noted that "society already struggles with the heavy costs of alcohol and tobacco use...adding legal marijuana to that mix is not the path to take:"


"When measured against increased traffic fatalities caused by impaired drivers, and the health care costs of treating the additional people who would regularly use marijuana were it legalized, the benefits just aren't enough to justify passing Prop. 19...


"The policies in place now are reasonable and prudent; we urge a "no" vote on Prop. 19." (North County Times, "EDITORIAL: Keep a lid on the pot," 9/03/10)

Similarly, the Gilroy Dispatch editorial board focused on the flaws in the initiative's language:

"The point is there's no compelling reason to legalize the drug for recreational use... and let's be clear, the legalization being described is for recreational use. Medical marijuana use, currently swept up in the vagaries of the system, is another matter altogether and not addressed in Proposition 19."


"The claims that California could reap huge tax revenues are spurious. The proposition allows individuals to grow as much as 25 square feet of marijuana for "personal consumption." It's easy to grow. Imagine if the state taxed tomatoes like it taxes alcohol. Everyone who really wanted tomatoes would be growing their own. Vote against the wholesale legalization of marijuana. No on Proposition 19." (Gilroy Dispatch, "No on Prop 19: Wholesale Pot Legalization a Lousy Idea," 09/02/10)


The (Palm Springs) Desert Sun also recently editorialized ("Legalizing pot: A dopey idea") against Proposition 19.


The full editorials can be found here: North County Times; and, the Gilroy Dispatch.

 

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Opposes Proposition 19

Sep 02 |13:44

SACRAMENTO – The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) Executives today announced its opposition to Proposition 19, the poorly written measure to legalize recreational use of marijuana statewide.

In a written statement about the initiative, the group explains that “the movement in California as outlined in Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana is not in line with NOBLE’s mission, history or stance on drugs in our communities. As an organization, NOBLE does not support the legalization of marijuana. The true social and community impact that this type of legislation will have is speculative, however, history has shown that the impact of similar actions can be devastating.”

“NOBLE has and continues to be concerned about disparities in sentencing and treatment in the criminal justice system, however, this legislation will not eradicate that issue,” said Patrick R. Melvin, NOBLE National President.

NOBLE joins a growing list of law enforcement organizations legal professionals who recognize the flaws in the measure and the harmful effects it will have on California and are opposed to Proposition 19, including: the California Police Chiefs’ Association, the California Narcotic Officers’ Association, the California District Attorneys Association, the California District Attorney Investigators’ Association, the California Peace Officers Association, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association, and the Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County, as well as 40 County sheriffs, 32 police chiefs and 31 district attorneys.

Other groups opposed to the initiative include: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the California Chamber of Commerce, the Association of California School Administrators, the League of California Cities, the California State Firefighters’ Association, Californians for a Drug-Free Youth, Crime Victims United, gubernatorial candidates Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman, Attorney General candidates Steve Cooley and Kamala Harris, and many more.

Proposition 19 is on the ballot in November.

   

Majority of Voters Opposed or Uncertain About Recreational Marijuana Measure

Sep 02 |00:00

Sacramento, CA – The latest Survey USA poll released today indicates that a growing majority of Californians are either opposed or uncertain about Proposition 19, the initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in California.

“The trend against Proposition 19 confirms that the more voters learn about this measure, the less likely they are to support it,” said No on Proposition 19 spokesman Roger Salazar. “All you have to do is read this poorly-written initiative to see that it doesn’t do any of the things it claims. It doesn’t regulate marijuana, it doesn’t control marijuana and it doesn’t tax marijuana in the way proponents assert.”    

The Survey USA poll, conducted on behalf of KABC-TV Los Angeles, KFSN-TV Fresno, KGTV-TV San Diego and KPIX-TV San Francisco, found that “Opposition to Proposition 19, which would legalize marijuana and allow for its regulation and taxation, has grown,” and now 53 percent of Californians are either opposed or uncertain about the measure (43% and 10%, respectively), while only 47 percent, less than the required majority to pass the measure, support it.

“Public safety officials recognize that prohibitions against driving under the influence of marijuana will be harder to enforce under Prop 19, which is why MADD, police, firefighters, and district attorneys oppose the measure,” Salazar said. “Local governments recognize the tax revenue scheme is unworkable under Prop 19, which is why the League of California Cities and county boards of supervisors across the state oppose it. Employers recognize workplace safety will suffer under Prop 19, which is why the California Chamber of Commerce opposes it. And educators recognize Prop 19 will lead to increased marijuana usage among young people, which is why the principals and superintendents oppose Proposition 19. This latest survey tells us California voters also see the major flaws of this defective measure.” 

Proposition 19 has received strong bipartisan opposition.  Both California gubernatorial candidates, Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman, have come out against the measure, as well as both candidates for state Attorney General, Steve Cooley and Kamala Harris.

   

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