NOT THE TIME, PLACE FOR MEASURE Z

A coalition of local leaders and Oakland-based members of the Drug
Policy Alliance Network are seeking voter approval of a ballot measure
that asks city police to make adult marijuana offenses their lowest
law enforcement priority.

Backers of Measure Z -- the Oakland Cannabis Initiative -- say its
passage would put Oakland at the forefront of efforts to decriminalize
possession, sales and cultivation of marijuana statewide.

The measure also directs the city to regulate and tax marijuana sales
if the state at some point allows it.

Thirty two thousand Oakland residents signed petitions to put the
measure on the ballot, and a poll by the David Binder Research firm of
San Francisco shows that of 400 likely voters questioned, 65 percent
would support the initiative.

Measure Z supporters Judy Appel and Dale Gierringer say jails should
not be occupied by nonviolent offenders such as busted marijuana
smokers and argue that the police's time is better spent going after
serious criminals and killers. We agree with them on both counts.

That said, we don't believe this is the time or place for Measure
Z.

For Oakland police, going after marijuana users is already a low
priority. Their hands are too full handling the much larger problem of
violence and crime that plagues our city. Why advertise that they now
would all but ignore pot smokers or dealers?

No, we don't totally buy the arguments of Measure Z opponents who say
the initiative's passage would draw hordes of marijuana dealers to
Oakland and turn the city into a haven for reefer madness.

On the other hand, we do agree with opponents such as City
Councilmember Danny Wan and Police Chief Richard Word that Oakland
doesn't need to become a social experiment for those whose agenda it
is to decriminalize marijuana state-wide and, eventually, nationwide.

In our opinion, a state law - not a local ordinance - is the way to
accomplish the goals of those supporting the decriminalization of
marijuana. After all, one of the proposed benefits of Measure Z -
Oakland's ability to regulate and tax marijuana sales - cannot happen
without the state's permission.

Measure Z has an impressive list of endorsers, including Rep. Barbara
Lee and state Sen. Don Perata.

Because Sen. Perata is endorsing the Oakland measure, perhaps he could
use his influence in the Legislature to write and champion a law that
would decriminalize marijuana statewide. There is nothing to prevent
Lee from doing the same on the federal level.

We urge Oakland voters to read the language of Measure Z carefully
before voting. We hope they agree this is not the time or place for
Measure Z.