Pubdate: Mon, 18 Oct 2010
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2010 The Sacramento Bee
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/0n4cG7L1
Website: http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Author: Michael Castleton

PROP. 19 OPPOSITION UNINFORMED

The arguments against Proposition 19 are weak.

Yes it will conflict with federal law. But so does medical marijuana, 
which is supported by 80 percent of Californians and has been legal since 1996.

Critics say Prop. 19's regulation at the local level is a bad thing. 
But local control means jurisdictions can choose to stay out of the 
marijuana business.

And others that want to can take advantage of new opportunities.

If marijuana is a gateway drug, so is every other drug out there 
caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, etc.

Prop. 19 doesn't change any laws regarding driving safety. It 
maintains drug-free workplaces.

Will there be increased usage? Maybe, but our current prohibition 
usage rate of 10 percent is almost double that of the Netherlands 
(5.5 percent) where it is essentially legal.

Prohibition has failed again. Please forget the drug war propaganda 
and vote yes on Prop 19.

Michael Castleton, Monterey
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom