GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER FIRES UP POT DEBATE

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tried to spark up a little debate this
week when he suggested the state should discuss reforming marijuana laws.

But most area legislators opted not to partake.

Schwarzenegger said Wednesday in a public appearance that he would
not necessarily support legalization, but rather that the state
"ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that
have legalized marijuana and other drugs."

California legislators may end up being forced to do just that. A
bill introduced by state Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco,
calls for marijuana to be legalized and taxed. Ammiano estimates it
could gain the state $1.3 billion in revenue, based on taxing pot at
$50 an ounce.

"With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move
towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense. This
legislation would generate much-needed revenue for the state,
restrict access to only those over 21, end the environmental damage
to our public lands from illicit crops, and improve public safety by
redirecting law enforcement efforts to more serious crimes," Ammiano
said in a prepared statement.

"California has the opportunity to be the first state in the nation
to enact a smart responsible public policy for the control and
regulation of marijuana," Ammiano's statement continued.

Though all local Republican legislators said they will oppose the
bill, local Democratic legislators, with the exception of state Sen.
Carol Liu, D-Glendale, either declined to comment or did not return
repeated calls for comment.

Liu said she is open to debate on the issue, but she does not think
it should be a priority.

"The state has huge problems - we've got bigger issues than
marijuana," said Liu.

She said that she is not sure what position she will take on AB 390
if it gets out of committee for a floor vote.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Ca ada Flintridge, said he did
not want to comment on it. Assembly members Ed Hernandez, D-West
Covina, Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, and Mike Eng, D-Monterey Park, as
well as Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, did not return calls on the issue.

Sen. Bob Huff, R-Glendora, on the other hand, said it was not even
worth discussing.

"The fundamental problem is that it is illegal on a federal level," said Huff.

Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills, said he would oppose it as
long as law enforcement officers do.

"I'm not going to debate people about using it for medical issues,
but as far as full legalization, our law enforcement has repeatedly
said they think it is a bad idea," said Hagman.

Huff said he interpreted Schwarzenegger's comments as meaning that if
the Legislature passed the bill to legalize marijuana, he would sign
it into law.

Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Claremont, said, however, that he did
not think the bill would have enough support.

"I don't think there will be a serious discussion for this bill," said Adams.

Recent polls have showed increased support for marijuana legalization
both in California and in the nation as a whole. A recent Field Poll
study showed 56 percent of Californians in favor of legalization,
while a nationwide Zogby poll showed 52 percent in favor compared to
37 percent opposed.

Marijuana advocates believe that it is now only a matter of time
before the drug becomes legalized. Bruce Mirken, of the Marijuana
Policy Project, said politicians are behind the general public on the issue.

"The fact is, until recently, the idea of legalization was considered
politically untenable," said Mirken. "All of a sudden it is a
national issue ... and I think there has been a clear shift in favor
of tax and regulation."

There are not a lot of medical marijuana clinics in east Los Angeles
County, though a clinic in Whittier holds regular sessions on getting
a prescription, and a class in Pasadena teaches how to set up a clinic.

Advocates of marijuana legislation also have some political
influence: A local political action committee, Coalition for a Safe
and Clean Environment that is run by marijuana advocates, donated
$17,425 to local political campaigns, including $7,200 to Assemblyman
Ed Hernandez.

Despite that, not all politicians see the legalization of pot as inevitable.

"I wouldn't say it will definitely happen," said Liu. "I wouldn't
rule out any possibility."