POT INITIATIVE POSES BIG RISKS FOR CALIFORNIA

The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 is far from the
"rational course" suggested by Oakland City Attorney John Russo in
his misguided opinion piece, "It's time to legalize and regulate pot"
(Viewpoints, May 1). This is a Trojan horse that will change our
communities forever, kill our struggling economy and hurt public safety.

Despite its name, this initiative does not regulate or control
marijuana. And, despite the hype, it creates no new taxes and no help
for California's budget. Let me repeat it does not create any new taxes.

Have a drug-free workplace now? It is prohibited by this initiative
because employers cannot discriminate against anyone who engages in
activities legalized by this measure unless the employer can prove
the marijuana consumption "actually impairs job performance." Can
teachers smoke marijuana during lunch? Can a surgical nurse light up
before surgery starts? Can your dentist have a few tokes before
fixing your cavity? If this initiative passes, the answer is "yes"
unless job performance is impaired.

Take the bus? Take light rail? Put your kids on a school bus? The
operators of all of these modes of transportation are only prohibited
from consuming marijuana while operating these vehicles. Before they
start, while the engine is turned off, or during breaks they can
light up and consume as much marijuana as they want so long as they
stop when the engine starts up. Again, no action can be taken against
them unless the employer can prove actual impairment of job performance.

Of greater significance to Sacramento County, the state and every
California entity that receives federal funding, is the federal
Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. This act requires recipients of
federal monies to announce the drug-free workplace requirement and
advise employees that they must "abide" by those requirements. Many
think the language prohibiting discrimination against someone who
engages in acts covered by this measure means the loss of all federal
funds. That would mean the loss of millions maybe even
billions if they are correct.

California cannot afford to risk our safety or our economy just to
legalize marijuana. It will do far more harm than good and place too
many lives at risk. I ask you to join with me, Mothers Against Drunk
Driving and dozens of community leaders in Public Safety First the
campaign against marijuana legalization.