Pubdate: Sun, 09 May 2010
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2010 The Sacramento Bee
Contact: 
http://www.sacbee.com/2006/09/07/19629/submit-letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Author: Jan Scully
Note: Jan Scully is Sacramento County's district attorney.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n332/a02.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

POT INITIATIVE POSES BIG RISKS FOR CALIFORNIA

The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 is far from the 
"rational course" suggested by Oakland City Attorney John Russo in 
his misguided opinion piece, "It's time to legalize and regulate pot" 
(Viewpoints, May 1). This is a Trojan horse that will change our 
communities forever, kill our struggling economy and hurt public safety.

Despite its name, this initiative does not regulate or control 
marijuana. And, despite the hype, it creates no new taxes and no help 
for California's budget. Let me repeat   it does not create any new taxes.

Have a drug-free workplace now? It is prohibited by this initiative 
because employers cannot discriminate against anyone who engages in 
activities legalized by this measure unless the employer can prove 
the marijuana consumption "actually impairs job performance." Can 
teachers smoke marijuana during lunch? Can a surgical nurse light up 
before surgery starts? Can your dentist have a few tokes before 
fixing your cavity? If this initiative passes, the answer is "yes" 
unless job performance is impaired.

Take the bus? Take light rail? Put your kids on a school bus? The 
operators of all of these modes of transportation are only prohibited 
from consuming marijuana while operating these vehicles. Before they 
start, while the engine is turned off, or during breaks they can 
light up and consume as much marijuana as they want so long as they 
stop when the engine starts up. Again, no action can be taken against 
them unless the employer can prove actual impairment of job performance.

Of greater significance to Sacramento County, the state and every 
California entity that receives federal funding, is the federal 
Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. This act requires recipients of 
federal monies to announce the drug-free workplace requirement and 
advise employees that they must "abide" by those requirements. Many 
think the language prohibiting discrimination against someone who 
engages in acts covered by this measure means the loss of all federal 
funds. That would mean the loss of millions   maybe even 
billions   if they are correct.

California cannot afford to risk our safety or our economy just to 
legalize marijuana. It will do far more harm than good and place too 
many lives at risk. I ask you to join with me, Mothers Against Drunk 
Driving and dozens of community leaders in Public Safety First   the 
campaign against marijuana legalization.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom