OAKLAND OFFICIALS LINING UP IN FAVOR OF POT LEGALIZATION

OAKLAND -- City Attorney John Russo last week endorsed the state's
ballot initiative to legalize marijuana, and the City Council seems
poised to do the same soon.

Californians this November will vote on a measure that would legalize
adult use and personal cultivation of marijuana. Russo called it an
overdue change in the state's policy on marijuana.

"What we've been trying to do is fight a raging fire with a watering
can," Russo said. "The better way is to cut off the oxygen."

Marijuana remains outlawed by the federal government. But Russo and
others compare the ban on the drug to the country's failed
prohibition against alcohol, saying it emboldens criminals dealing
California's largest cash crop.

"You don't see anyone running across the border with a six pack" of
beer, said Mauricio Garzon, a campaign coordinator working for the
passage of the initiative. "You don't see people shooting people
(over alcohol) in Chicago like you did during Prohibition."

Garzon said Russo is the state's first city attorney to back the
measure publicly, though he said the campaign expects others will
come forward soon and do the same. A number of retired law
enforcement officials also support the measure.

Opponents are making the exact opposite argument on public safety,
saying legalizing marijuana would make it easier for those
controlling the marijuana trade now to create havoc. Tim Rosales,
spokesman for Public Safety First, Advertisement an organization
formed to oppose the initiative, said law enforcement would stand
overwhelmingly against legalization.

"They see the problems from a public safety standpoint," Rosales
said. "They see the problems that can arise from this. You would
virtually give the Mexican drug cartels a way to operate in this
state without having to deal with federal border patrols. "... That's
a much easier hill for them to climb."

Organizations that have announced their opposition include the
California Police Chiefs Association, the California Peace Officers'
Association and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. All the major
gubernatorial candidates have come out against the idea of legalizing
marijuana, though Democratic candidate Jerry Brown, state attorney
general and a former Oakland mayor, has not commented on the specific
ballot initiative because as attorney general he was responsible for
writing the title and summary of the measure, said spokesman Sterling Clifford.

Support is strong in Oakland, however, where former state Sen. Don
Perata and Councilmember Jean Quan (Montclair-Laurel), the two
leading mayoral candidates, support the measure. Councilmember
Rebecca Kaplan (at-large), who is considering a mayoral run, supports
it as well.

Kaplan said she particularly liked the control the initiative would
give to local governments.

"Cities can choose not to allow cannabis sales and production or can
choose to allow it," Kaplan said. "And if we choose to allow it, we
can choose what controls and regulations are put in place to control it."

Most Oakland council members already have endorsed the initiative as
individuals. A council committee is scheduled to decide May 13
whether to forward a resolution in support of the measure to the full
council later this month.