POT PROPOSITION PROFILE HIGHER THAN APPROVAL

The statewide proposition to legalize marijuana is bound to attract
plenty of attention, though the latest polls show it isn't gaining a
ton of support.

A Field Poll released late last week shows 48 percent of voters are
opposing Proposition 19, compared to 44 percent who support the measure.

An analysis showed "large partisan differences" on the issue, with 53
percent of Democrats backing it and nearly two-thirds of Republicans
opposing it.

Nonpartisan voters were evenly divided, the poll showed.

The Field Poll was released just days after a study from the
nonpartisan RAND Drug Policy Research Center showed legalizing pot
would significantly drive down the drug's prices and possibly
undercut the tax benefits supporters have touted.

If Proposition 19 passes in November, it would be legal for anyone
older than 21 and local governments could tax the sales.

California voters in 1996 approved pot for medical use.

Palm Springs is the only Coachella Valley city that's passed an
ordinance to limit the number of medical marijuana facilities.

The city has licensed three dispensaries, though several others are
operating without such approval.

Twice the progress

Assemblyman Brian Nestande has already doubled his bill-becomes-a-law
record from his freshman year.

The Palm Desert Republican -- who had one bill signed in 2009 -- had
two of his bills signed by the governor last week.

State Sen. Bill Emmerson could be coming to a city near you.

The office for the Coachella valley's newest state representative
announced last week that it will have roaming office hours throughout
the 37th Senate District.

First stop is the Republican's hometown of Hemet, where officials
will be available from 10 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth
Tuesdays of each month at the Chamber of Commerce. Additional
locations will be announced in coming months.

"It's important to me that my office is accessible to all
constituents throughout the district," Emmerson said in a statement.