MARIJUANA MOVEMENT'S VOICE BUCKS STEREOTYPE

The Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act of 2012 is gaining momentum, and
its key advocate isn't your stereotypical, hippy-dippy, pot-smoking
liberal. It's a Republican former federal prosecutor and retired
Superior Court judge James Gray.

Those in the Newport/Costa Mesa area are probably most familiar with
Jim through his weekly Daily Pilot columns, "It's a Gray Area." He's
a guy with strong opinions and never one to shy away from controversy.

A few weeks ago, I asked Jim why he's co-authored this act and why he
feels it has legs in 2012.

As a former federal prosecutor, he says, "I saw we weren't winning
the war against drugs."

There are six groups who will continue to win if this legislation
isn't passed, he says:

Drug lords making millions if not billions annually.

Juvenile gangs whose main source of funding is drug sales.

Law-enforcement officials who make big money fighting the drug lords
and juvenile gangs.

Politicians who run on anti-drug platforms and keep getting reelected
because of it.

Businesses that build prisons and staff them and the state's
powerful prison guard union.

Terrorists who globally fund their operations through drug sales and
say, "Drug prohibition is the Golden Goose of terrorism."

If this act passes, it could bring cash-strapped California an
estimated $1.3 billion in revenue in sales tax alone, Jim says. It
could also make pot less available to children than it is today, he
says, mainly because it would be regulated like wine is.

The act reads: "Marijuana ... explicitly and/or by inference, shall
be removed from the Health and Safety code except for those statutes
pertaining to: operating a motor vehicle; using marijuana or being
impaired in the workplace or public nonsmoking areas; providing,
transferring, or selling marijuana to a person under 21 years of age;
and the use, possession, cultivation, processing, sales,
distribution, transporting, or storing on premises of marijuana."

Having been loosely involved with the failed Proposition 19, he
co-authored this new legislation, which he believes has a shot.

Jim says he's gathering support from Republicans, Democrats, liberals
and conservatives, and is planning a fundraiser Sept. 1 at Newport
Wine and Vineyards on Mesa Drive in the Back Bay. Helping with this
effort is Patti Cakes Aka the Queen of Cannabis Baking.

A longtime medical marijuana advocate with her own weekly radio show
on hempradio.com, Patti says of Jim: "I'm honored to be working with
Judge Gray on this political event. Two months ago, our paths
crossed. He's a beautiful soul with so much passion for the cause."

Jim says he hopes to raise "tens of thousands with this event in
Newport," which is expected to draw about 150 people at $150 per
person with an added VIP special reception for donors of $1,500.

Likening the current situation to alcohol prohibition, Jim says,
"People are now accepting this discussion statewide and nationally."

He believes there will be an end to the prohibition of marijuana
within two years.

Read the Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act of 2012 at
regulatemarijuanalikewine.com and decide for yourself if it's time to
decriminalize cannabis.

The Clash of the Columnists Charity Boxing Event will be held from 8
to 9 p.m. Wednesday at South Coast Martial Arts, 2990 Grace Lane in
Costa Mesa. For information, go to bvontv.com.