NO ON G

Supporters of measures to make marijuana easily available cite all the ways
that current drug policies don't make sense.

Too much money is spent on prisons and drug wars -- and not enough on
rehabilitation and education that would curb the demand for drugs. It's
hypocritical of society to impose a double-standard in which marijuana is
treated differently than alcohol and tobacco. Patients who are seriously
ill ought to have access to marijuana if it relieves their suffering. Too
much money is spent on eradicating pot when other drugs, especially
methamphetamines, cause far more crime and human suffering.

All of these assertions are true. But so what? They don't justify a
decision to promote another substance that is harmful to health, impairs
judgment and is sometimes associated with criminal acts.

In Mendocino County, Measure G would permit every adult to possess and
cultivate up to 25 marijuana plants -- which is a lot of marjuana, perhaps
$125,000 worth of dope on the street. The measure also instructs the
sheriff and the district attorney to make marijuana law enforcement their
lowest priority, and it requires officials to lobby for the
decriminalization of marijuana nationwide.

The measure is largely symbolic since state and federal laws pre-empt local
law on drug-related subjects.

Supporters say the measure is designed to discourage the prosecution of
mom-and-pop growers and people who cultivate for personal use. But that's
pretty much current practice anyway.

While the state's annual anti-marijuana campaign remains unpopular in
Mendocino County, its target is major drug dealers -- who remain a
dangerous presence. People should be able to travel in the back country of
Mendocino County without fear of encountering a clandestine marijuana
garden with sentinels prepared to shoot intruders.

Society needs to develop a more coherent and rational way to deal with all
kinds of drugs and with alcohol, but Measure G doesn't move us closer to
that day.

All it does is encourage the use of a harmful substance and signal people
outside Mendocino County that this is place where people are eager to grow,
sell and get high. It's not much of a reputation.

The Press Democrat recommends a no vote on Measure G.