Pubdate: Thu, 14 Oct 2010
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Copyright: 2010 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Nick Miller
Cited: Proposition 19 http://yeson19.com/
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/find?272 (Proposition 19)

SMOKE AND SPIN

Will Proposition 19 Be a Boon for Democrats on November 2?

D.C.-based website Politico reported last week that the 
initiative--which would decriminalize recreational cannabis for 
adults and give local governments the option to tax and regulate 
marijuana--might be overlooked advantage that will put state Dems 
such as Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer over the top this election.

Of course, no one can anticipate Prop. 19's impact on turnout for 
certain. Recent polls suggest that the initiative itself might pass; 
a Field Poll released last week shows the ballot measure with a 
seven-point lead, at 49 percent support. Many also assume a 
correlation between pot smokers and Democrat voters.

The No on 19 campaign, however, doesn't smell such smoke. "We haven't 
seen any evidence of [19 helping Dems]," argued Sacramento-based No 
on Proposition 19 spokesman Tim Rosales. "Every Democrat running for 
statewide office has come out opposing Prop. 19. They're all running 
away from it as fast as they can."

Mike Meno, communications director for D.C.-based Marijuana Policy 
Project, agreed that Dems are avoiding 19. "For too long, politicians 
have thought marijuana was a third-rail issue," he says.

But he also warns that politicians are squandering a substantial 
electorate. "Millions of Americans want to see our marijuana laws 
change," Meno argued. "They know prohibition is a failure. They want 
to see a different approach."

Marijuana Policy Project, which supports Prop. 19, warns that if 
top-of-the-ticket Democrat candidates keep distancing themselves from 
cannabis, it could backfire. "[This] creates an opportunity for 
Republicans," said Meno, arguing that legalizing cannabis appeals to 
libertarian, right and moderate voters as well. "Sooner or later 
someone is going to realize that there can be a lot of value 
politically in supporting [marijuana] reforms."

But perhaps Dems will get on board first. California Democratic Party 
chairman and former state Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, as 
noted in the Politico story, has stated that "pot" will be a force 
that drives young voters to the ballots this year, just as President 
Barack Obama got them to vote in 2008.

Surveys show that 70 percent of voters under age 35 support marijuana 
legalization. "But by and large, Democrat politicians have balked at 
the chance to capitalize on this issue," said MPP's Meno. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake