The Battle over Legalization

When Californians go to the polls this November they will face the issue of legalizing marijuana. If passed Proposition 19 will face an immediate challenge in Federal Court under the supremacy clause of the Constitution. Proponents of reform argue that it is about civil and human rights while opponents claim it is about public safety.

Supporters of Proposition 19 claim that legalization could save the state $1.4 Billion dollars in courts and prisons. Jeff Miron, a Harvard economist, published a report estimating that $7.7 billion dollars per year could be saved in law enforcement expenditures. Proposition 19 supporters say the same requirements that exist for alcohol would be put in place for cannabis.

Some advocates of reform have concerns about the proposition. Lynette Davies, an advocate for medical marijuana, said, “I don’t like it [the initiative] because I’m worried about research not being done so [marijuana] doesn’t interact with other medications.” Moreover, she is concerned that the state would not be able to control the licensing of marijuana growers.

Some advocates characterize the Proposition as “a wolf –in- sheep’s clothing.” Rosebud Jolie who is an activist in Sacramento said, “Collectives like Canna Care and the Green Temple are against it." Many in the pro-legalization community fear that Prop 19 would gut the state’s current medical marijuana law under Proposition 215.

Opponents, such as El Cerito police chief Scott Kirkland, believe that the public is being mis-informed about the dangers of legalization. Kirkland said, “Marijuana now is different than the marijuana in the 1970s – in the 70s it was 1-4 percent THC and 96 percent cannabinoids.Kirkland said, "...Due to hybridization and indoor growing the medicinal value has decreased.” As proof, he cites a statistic: “in 2005, $1.5 billion was raised from taxing alcohol and tobacco, but $19.9 billion was spent treating addition.”

Proposition 19 spokesman Dan Newman failed to respond to calls for comment.