Pubdate: Sun, 11 Jul 2010
Source: Desert Sun, The (Palm Springs, CA)
Copyright: 2010 The Desert Sun
Contact: http://local2.thedesertsun.com/mailer/opinionwrap.php
Website: http://www.mydesert.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1112
Note: Does not accept LTEs from outside circulation area.
Author: Erica Felci
Note: Marcel Honore and The Associated Press contributed to this 
column.Erica Felci is a reporter for The Desert Sun who also writes 
the weekly Political Insider column.
Referenced: The Field Poll 
http://www.field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2342.pdf
Cited: Proposition 19 http://www.taxcannabis.org/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Proposition+19

POT PROPOSITION PROFILE HIGHER THAN APPROVAL

The statewide proposition to legalize marijuana is bound to attract 
plenty of attention, though the latest polls show it isn't gaining a 
ton of support.

A Field Poll released late last week shows 48 percent of voters are 
opposing Proposition 19, compared to 44 percent who support the measure.

An analysis showed "large partisan differences" on the issue, with 53 
percent of Democrats backing it and nearly two-thirds of Republicans 
opposing it.

Nonpartisan voters were evenly divided, the poll showed.

The Field Poll was released just days after a study from the 
nonpartisan RAND Drug Policy Research Center showed legalizing pot 
would significantly drive down the drug's prices and possibly 
undercut the tax benefits supporters have touted.

If Proposition 19 passes in November, it would be legal for anyone 
older than 21 and local governments could tax the sales.

California voters in 1996 approved pot for medical use.

Palm Springs is the only Coachella Valley city that's passed an 
ordinance to limit the number of medical marijuana facilities.

The city has licensed three dispensaries, though several others are 
operating without such approval.

Twice the progress

Assemblyman Brian Nestande has already doubled his bill-becomes-a-law 
record from his freshman year.

The Palm Desert Republican -- who had one bill signed in 2009 -- had 
two of his bills signed by the governor last week.

State Sen. Bill Emmerson could be coming to a city near you.

The office for the Coachella valley's newest state representative 
announced last week that it will have roaming office hours throughout 
the 37th Senate District.

First stop is the Republican's hometown of Hemet, where officials 
will be available from 10 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth 
Tuesdays of each month at the Chamber of Commerce. Additional 
locations will be announced in coming months.

"It's important to me that my office is accessible to all 
constituents throughout the district," Emmerson said in a statement.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom