MELLOW OUT ON LEGALIZED POT FOR AWHILE

We have come far with medical marijuana and a law that decriminalizes
possession.

Buzz kill though it may be, California voters sent a message this
week: They are not comfortable with the state triggering a
confrontation with federal authorities over recreational use of marijuana.

Leading up to Tuesday's vote on the much-hyped Proposition 19, the
federal government made crystal clear that while it is willing to
abide medical marijuana in California and other states, it will not
accept complete legalization.

There needs to be a national debate on whether to continue to
criminalize marijuana, and Proposition 19 has helped spur that discussion.

But California would be wise not to quickly come back with another
go-it-alone initiative to legalize pot. The state has too many other
pressing problems that need attention.

Unfortunately, the leading proponent of Proposition 19 -- decisively
defeated 54 percent to 46 percent -- is already talking about trying
again with a ballot measure in 2012.

Richard Lee, founder of the Oaksterdam conglomerate in Oakland, should
save his breath and his money. It would be much more helpful, for
instance, to use that cash to subsidize medical marijuana for poor
patients.

If time and energy is to be spent on pot issues, it needs to be
directed to making sure medical marijuana is regulated and taxed
effectively and fairly.

Californians, at the ballot box with Proposition 215, have made their
peace with medical marijuana. And through their elected
representatives in the Legislature, they have come to terms with the
fact that marijuana use is widely accepted.

This past session, lawmakers approved, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
signed, a bill that further decriminalizes marijuana. Simple
possession of an ounce or less was formally reduced from a misdemeanor
to an infraction with a $100 fine.

Because of these reforms, patients in California can obtain pot to
help relieve their pain, and those who choose to use it responsibly
are not going to get a criminal record, even if they somehow get caught.

On marijuana, that's not a bad place to be.