Pubdate: Fri, 05 Aug 2016
Source: Orange County Register, The (CA)
Copyright: 2016 The Orange County Register
Contact:  http://www.ocregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321
Author: Brooke Edwards Staggs
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)

PROP 64 CAMPAIGN SUES OVER CLAIMS BY ANTI-MARIJUANA CAMP

The campaign to legalize marijuana for adults in California is suing 
over what it calls "grossly false" and "provably wrong" claims made 
by the opposition.

The lawsuit aims to force the Secretary of State to throw out 
portions of official statements from Proposition 64 opponents, 
including U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, that would otherwise appear in 
voter information guides for the Nov. 8 election.

"Defenders of the failed war on marijuana are entitled to their own 
opinions but not their own facts," said Jason Kinney, spokesman for 
the legalization campaign.

Opposition spokesman Wayne Johnson said the lawsuit proves that the 
Yes on 64 camp realizes it's in "real trouble."

"When voters find out what they're really trying to do with Prop 64, 
they'll reject it," Johnson said. "So they hope to silence all valid 
opposition."

At issue are claims from the No on 64 campaign that the measure opens 
the door for marijuana commercials on TV, including ads for "gummy 
candy and brownies" that would be attractive to children.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Sacramento County Superior Court 
argues that federal law prohibits cannabis commercials. And advocates 
point to language in the measure that makes it illegal to target 
products at kids.

The lawsuit also takes issue with a claim that Prop 64 would "repeal 
countless consumer protections" signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown 
in October as part of sweeping regulations aimed at California's 
medical marijuana industry.

While the measure does call for some differences in regulations for 
recreational marijuana businesses, proponents said it doesn't change 
those rules for medical businesses.

"These aren't evidence-based arguments," Kinney said. "They are scare 
tactics  and they're sadly reminiscent of the 'reefer madness'-style 
disinformation campaigns that subverted honest dialogue around this 
issue for decades."

With the opposition so far out-funded 40-1, Johnson said the Yes on 
64 camp would "love" to force them to spend money on a legal battle. 
But they still plan to fight, he said - and are even considering a 
lawsuit of their own.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom