Pubdate: Sun, 13 Apr 2014
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2014 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.mercurynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Authors: Gavin Newsom and Allen Hopper, Special to the Mercury News
Note: Gavin Newsom is the lieutenant governor of California. Allen
Hopper is the director of criminal justice and drug policy for the
ACLU of California. They wrote this article for this newspaper.

IT'S TIME FOR A SERIOUS DEBATE ABOUT MARIJUANA LAW REFORM

The war on drugs has been one of the worst policy debacles in our
nation's history. We incarcerate too many people for nonviolent
offenses, spend too much money doing it and ruin too many lives --
especially among the poor and communities of color -- all without
enhancing public safety.

It's time to admit that current laws do more harm than good. It's time
to explore smarter, better ways to address the challenges presented by
drugs and drug addiction. At the top of the list must be a review of
our outdated marijuana laws and a comprehensive study of available
alternatives.

Yet too often when anyone attempts a substantive discussion about
reforming marijuana laws, they are met with dismissive jokes about
"stoners." California deserves better. We need to move past these
stereotypes. This is a serious policy debate for serious people with
expertise from a wide array of fields relevant to and impacted by drug
laws.

Marijuana legalization appears likely in California. It's time to
carefully consider how best to do it. To protect our children and our
communities we have to figure out, in advance, how to make sure this
transition happens safely and effectively.

That is why we have established a blue-ribbon commission to study the
most difficult challenges associated with marijuana legalization and
to recommend safe and smart solutions to voters and policymakers. Law
enforcement officials, academic scholars, scientific researchers,
physicians, public policy professionals and authorities on child
development -- not all of whom share the same view on the question of
legalization -- have joined us and will provide their expertise. In
the coming weeks we anticipate adding additional experts from these
and other fields.

This blue-ribbon commission will begin with a focus on three
critically important issues: protecting children, preserving public
safety, and taxation and business structures.

In the coming months, we will conduct research, analyze existing data,
interview experts, conduct public hearings and issue reports. We will
also closely monitor developments in Colorado and Washington, where
legalization is already underway, as well as other states considering
legalization.

Designated working groups will address each of these topics and then
make public presentations of their findings. Open discussions over the
next two years are the best way to educate the public and ourselves,
as well as influence those likely to draft legislation or a ballot
initiative. Only through collaborative public dialogue can we ensure
that marijuana legalization in California incorporates a broad range
of best practices.

Many serious questions confront us. How can we make sure that
marijuana isn't available for underage use? How can we best protect
young people with effective drug prevention programs? How can we
constitutionally limit advertising to protect children and
communities?

Equally important and difficult questions exist in the areas of public
safety and taxation. How can we keep our highways safe? What is the
best tax policy? If the tax is too high it may perpetuate the black
market, but if it is too low the state will not realize the tax
revenue it needs. Should we encourage a small number of larger,
vertically integrated operations or instead leave room for smaller
"mom and pop" businesses with cultivation, wholesale and retail
activities separated?

Legalization is unlikely to occur before 2016. We have time to put the
jokes aside and do it right. Our commission will give these questions
and many others the serious consideration they deserve.

Gavin Newsom is the lieutenant governor of California. Allen Hopper is
the director of criminal justice and drug policy for the ACLU of
California. They wrote this article for this newspaper.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D