Pubdate: Sat, 16 Jul 2011
Source: Orange County Register, The (CA)
Copyright: 2011 The Orange County Register
Contact:  http://www.ocregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321
Author: Barbara Venezia

MARIJUANA MOVEMENT'S VOICE BUCKS STEREOTYPE

The Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act of 2012 is gaining momentum, and 
its key advocate isn't your stereotypical, hippy-dippy, pot-smoking 
liberal. It's a Republican  former federal prosecutor and retired 
Superior Court judge James Gray.

Those in the Newport/Costa Mesa area are probably most familiar with 
Jim through his weekly Daily Pilot columns, "It's a Gray Area." He's 
a guy with strong opinions and never one to shy away from controversy.

A few weeks ago, I asked Jim why he's co-authored this act and why he 
feels it has legs in 2012.

As a former federal prosecutor, he says, "I saw we weren't winning 
the war against drugs."

There are six groups who will continue to win if this legislation 
isn't passed, he says:

Drug lords making millions  if not billions  annually.

Juvenile gangs whose main source of funding is drug sales.

Law-enforcement officials who make big money fighting the drug lords 
and juvenile gangs.

Politicians who run on anti-drug platforms and keep getting reelected 
because of it.

Businesses that build prisons and staff them  and the state's 
powerful prison guard union.

Terrorists who globally fund their operations through drug sales and 
say, "Drug prohibition is the Golden Goose of terrorism."

If this act passes, it could bring cash-strapped California an 
estimated $1.3 billion in revenue in sales tax alone, Jim says. It 
could also make pot less available to children than it is today, he 
says, mainly because it would be regulated like wine is.

The act reads: "Marijuana ... explicitly and/or by inference, shall 
be removed from the Health and Safety code except for those statutes 
pertaining to: operating a motor vehicle; using marijuana or being 
impaired in the workplace or public nonsmoking areas; providing, 
transferring, or selling marijuana to a person under 21 years of age; 
and the use, possession, cultivation, processing, sales, 
distribution, transporting, or storing on premises of marijuana."

Having been loosely involved with the failed Proposition 19, he 
co-authored this new legislation, which he believes has a shot.

Jim says he's gathering support from Republicans, Democrats, liberals 
and conservatives, and is planning a fundraiser Sept. 1 at Newport 
Wine and Vineyards on Mesa Drive in the Back Bay. Helping with this 
effort is Patti Cakes Aka the Queen of Cannabis Baking.

A longtime medical marijuana advocate with her own weekly radio show 
on hempradio.com, Patti says of Jim: "I'm honored to be working with 
Judge Gray on this political event. Two months ago, our paths 
crossed. He's a beautiful soul with so much passion for the cause."

Jim says he hopes to raise "tens of thousands with this event in 
Newport," which is expected to draw about 150 people at $150 per 
person with an added VIP special reception for donors of $1,500.

Likening the current situation to alcohol prohibition, Jim says, 
"People are now accepting this discussion statewide and nationally."

He believes there will be an end to the prohibition of marijuana 
within two years.

Read the Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act of 2012 at 
regulatemarijuanalikewine.com and decide for yourself if it's time to 
decriminalize cannabis.

The Clash of the Columnists Charity Boxing Event will be held from 8 
to 9 p.m. Wednesday at South Coast Martial Arts, 2990 Grace Lane in 
Costa Mesa. For information, go to bvontv.com.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart