STIRRING THE POT: PROP. 19 MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION DEBATE HEATS UP IN AUBURN

Is the Proposition 19 pot initiative going to harm or help California?

Proponents like Dale Sky Jones, executive chancellor of Oakland's
Oaksterdam University, contend passage of the proposition will save
hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars now wasted on enforcing the failed
prohibition of cannabis.

But Sacramento attorney John Lovell, whose current clients include the
California Police Chiefs Association, points to a coalition of law
enforcement organizations and argues that the threat of losing significant
federal funding should be a deal-killer in itself.

And Bishop Ron Allen, CEO of Sacramento's International Faith Based
Coalition, says he fears that passage of the initiative will create more
young addicts because of the strength of today's pot.

The three were in Auburn for a recent debate organized by the Auburn
Democratic Club.

Prop. 19 is on the Nov. 2 ballot. According to Yes On 19, which is backing
the proposition, it's carefully written to control marijuana like alcohol,
allowing adults 21 and over in California to possess up to an ounce. Pot
could be consumed at home or in licensed establishments while the new law
would give state and local governments the ability to tax its sale for
adult consumption.

Jones, whose school teaches medicinal marijuana cultivation, said
California's current policy has failed.

"The free-for-all is now," she said. "We have an opportunity for safe
communities. Hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are wasted enforcing
the failed prohibition of cannabis."

Lovell told an audience of about 50 on Thursday night that the
proposition's language is so poorly worded that voters don't even need to
get to the philosophical arguments of pot to be against it.

Of particular concern to organizations like the California Chamber of
Commerce is language that could circumvent employers being eligible for
federal contracts worth an estimated $31 billion and schools losing $9.4
billion. Lovell said language in the proposition would leave California
employers no longer eligible to receive federal government grants. But
Jones said that threat does not exist.

Allen, a self-professed recovering crack addict, said that pulling back the
threat of consequences for smoking marijuana that are now enforced won't
solve any problems.

"This is not about medical marijuana that's another debate," Allen said.
"This is about just for fun and getting high. How do you educate an
intoxicated mind?"

With alcohol, people can self-regulate with a drink or two in a social
setting but with marijuana, the intent is to get high, he said.

"We need to have jobs and more education not legalize another dope in the
community," he said.

But Jones said children are already getting as high as they want on
marijuana and because it's unregulated, it's easier for them to get than
alcohol.

"It's already more accessible than any other drugs," she said.

Audience members said they appreciated the opportunity to learn more about
Prop. 19.

"It was a very healthy discussion," said Auburn's Joe Marman. "I think
legalization will cause a more sensible measure of control of the use of
marijuana."

Heidi Van Zant of Auburn said the turnout showed people cared about the issue.

"It's certainly a passionate and personal issue," she said. "I'm still
making up my mind and learning more about the proposition."

Auburn's Larry W. Smith said the community needs more discussion's similar
to Thursday's.

"People were civil," Smith said. "I'm in favor of legalization. There are
concerns but as she (Dale Sky Jones) said, the present policies are nothing
short of insane."

No on Prop. 19's list of supporters includes:

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the California District Attorneys
Association, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Police
Chiefs Association, Attorney General and Democratic Party gubernatorial
candidate Jerry Brown, Association of California School Administrators and
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman.

Source: No on Prop. 19

Yes on 19's endorsements include:

National Black Police Association, retired U.S. Surgeon General Dr.
Joycelyn Elders, Berkeley City Council, Oakland City Council, West
Hollywood City Council, California NAACP, California Young Democrats, ACLU
of Northern and Southern California, Placer County Democratic Party, Latino
Voters league, California Council of Churches IMPACT.

Source: Yes on 19