The Politics of Pot:

NOVEMBER ELECTION MAY RAISE WEED DEBATE TO NEW HEIGHTS

CHICO -- With more than 14 years of debate over medical marijuana
already behind us, California is poised for even more cannabis
conversation over the next few months.

For the city of Chico, those debates will likely revolve around an
ordinance that will be presented to the city council Tuesday.

For the last three months, City Attorney Lori Barker has been
crafting the ordinance expected to address zoning for medical
marijuana dispensaries and regulations for outdoor residential
marijuana gardens.

Although many cities throughout the state already allow dispensaries,
Chico has taken a more prohibitive approach.

"We have always taken the position that dispensaries are not allowed
under our land-use policies," Barker said.

But that could soon change, depending on the direction of the council.

In past public discussions on the issue, some councilors have seemed
favorable to dispensaries, with Councilor Andy Holcombe advocating
for a community marijuana garden at a recent council meeting.

There are others who aren't too keen to see Chico legitimize
dispensaries, however, with Councilor Larry Wahl hesitant to open the
door for pot shops because of a potential propensity for increased
crime and negative impacts on surrounding businesses.

But aside from the issue of medical marijuana in Chico, there is also
a movement the council has no power over -- the comprehensive
legalization of marijuana throughout the state.

In November, California voters will once again vote on legalizing
marijuana. This time, voters will consider expanding the medical use
of marijuana to recreational use.

The initiative certainly has the backing of some Californians, as
more than 433,000 signatures were collected to get the measure on the
ballot. But for many in Chico, the idea of legalized marijuana is concerning.

Assistant City Manager John Rucker recently helped to coordinate an
event entitled The Great Debate, which focused on the issue of
legalized marijuana.

Rucker, who has an extensive background in law enforcement, said he
worries about the impacts to California if marijuana is legalized,
and believes it will only bring more problems into the state.

"The amount of marijuana produced in the state could climb sky high,
and bring in organized crime," Rucker said.

Chico Police Chief Mike Maloney agrees.

"Why are we not to believe people would not invest millions and
millions into growing marijuana here," Maloney said. "This will
become the base for the distribution of marijuana throughout the world."

Proponents of legalized marijuana, such as Chico lobbyist Max Del
Real, argue that legalized marijuana means more money for a
cash-strapped state.

"The fact is, it will bring in jobs," Del Real said, noting he sees
an opportunity for hemp cultivation and increased tourism of
marijuana grows, similar to what Napa has experienced with the wine industry.

Yet even if marijuana is not legalized and dispensaries are not
allowed in Chico, marijuana doesn't seem to be going away. Neither
are the discussions surrounding it.

As court cases are debated and laws are enacted, marijuana use still abounds.

And somewhere along the line, the state must reach a balance on the
issue that maintains the public's safety while honoring the medicinal
attributes of marijuana.

For Maloney and Ramsey, that balance can only be reached if and when
the federal government acknowledges marijuana as medicine.

"If we're going to say marijuana is legitimate, there should be some
mechanism to bring it into pharmacies," Maloney said. "It makes more
sense. If it's a medicine, let's really treat it as a medicine. Let's
really be legitimate about it."

The federal government's hand in California's marijuana debate may
not be too far off.

Though the Obama administration began its tenure with a claim the
federal government would in-essence back off on the prosecution of
medical marijuana dispensaries and grows, they may soon be forced to
take a greater stand on cannabis in California.

"The feds will have to do something," Rucker said. "I think we can
accurately predict that they will have to get involved.

"Interstate commerce is a huge federal issue. If you have one state
growing and selling marijuana legally, there's going to be a problem
when the other states aren't."

But perhaps the far greater balance doesn't need to be reached
between the state and federal government but between citizens themselves.

A law enacted as the Compassionate Use Act still has medical
marijuana patients struggling to shed a stigma that is sometimes inaccurate.

For individuals such as Kris Kidd and Rosalina Acevedo, who suffer
from pain and illness and who medicate with marijuana, looking
forward is realizing a future without condemnation.

"I definitely see more compassion," Acevedo said. "I see a chance to
find relief and not feel like I'm living in a closet. Seeing a place
without judgment is seeing a ray of sunshine."

For Acevedo, a true solution to medical marijuana is a platform of
understanding, where opinions can be expressed but the pain of an
individual is still recognized as a priority.

Because as much as pot's proper place in society can and will be
heavily debated, ultimately Acevedo says human suffering should
supersede any political positions.