cannabisnews.com: Not The Time, Place for Measure Z





Not The Time, Place for Measure Z
Posted by CN Staff on October 20, 2004 at 18:53:13 PT
Editorial
Source: Oakland Tribune 
A coalition of local leaders and Oakland-based members of the Drug Policy Alliance Network are seeking voter approval of a ballot measure that asks city police to make adult marijuana offenses their lowest law enforcement priority. Backers of Measure Z -- the Oakland Cannabis Initiative -- say its passage would put Oakland at the forefront of efforts to decriminalize possession, sales and cultivation of marijuana statewide.
The measure also directs the city to regulate and tax marijuana sales if the state at some point allows it. Thirty two thousand Oakland residents signed petitions to put the measure on the ballot, and a poll by the David Binder Research firm of San Francisco shows that of 400 likely voters questioned, 65 percent would support the initiative. Measure Z supporters Judy Appel and Dale Gieringer say jails should not be occupied by nonviolent offenders such as busted marijuana smokers and argue that the police's time is better spent going after serious criminals and killers. We agree with them on both counts. That said, we don't believe this is the time or place for Measure Z. For Oakland police, going after marijuana users is already a low priority. Their hands are too full handling the much larger problem of violence and crime that plagues our city. Why advertise that they now would all but ignore pot smokers or dealers? No, we don't totally buy the arguments of Measure Z opponents who say the initiative's passage would draw hordes of marijuana dealers to Oakland and turn the city into a haven for reefer madness. On the other hand, we do agree with opponents such as City Councilmember Danny Wan and Police Chief Richard Word that Oakland doesn't need to become a social experiment for those whose agenda it is to decriminalize marijuana state-wide and, eventually, nationwide. In our opinion, a state law -- not a local ordinance -- is the way to accomplish the goals of those supporting the decriminalization of marijuana. After all, one of the proposed benefits of Measure Z -- Oakland's ability to regulate and tax marijuana sales -- cannot happen without the state's permission. Measure Z has an impressive list of endorsers, including Rep. Barbara Lee and state Sen. Don Perata. Because Sen. Perata is endorsing the Oakland measure, perhaps he could use his influence in the Legislature to write and champion a law that would decriminalize marijuana statewide. There is nothing to prevent Lee from doing the same on the federal level. We urge Oakland voters to read the language of Measure Z carefully before voting. We hope they agree this is not the time or place for Measure Z. Source: Oakland Tribune (CA)Published: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 Copyright: 2004 MediaNews Group, Inc. Contact: triblet angnewspapers.com Website: http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Yes on Zhttp://www.yesonz.org/Drug Policy Alliancehttp://www.drugpolicy.org/California NORMLhttp://www.canorml.org/Measure Z Would Ease Pot Use Laws http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19657.shtmlMarijuana Issues Raised in Measure Zhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19628.shtmlCasual-Pot-Smoking Measure is Certified http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19109.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by kaptinemo on October 21, 2004 at 08:30:52 PT:
Some not-so-subtle digs here
"On the other hand, we do agree with opponents such as City Councilmember Danny Wan and Police Chief Richard Word that Oakland doesn't need to become a social experiment for those whose agenda it is to decriminalize marijuana state-wide and, eventually, nationwide."Okay, let's take a look at this statement: it is the official position of this paper that it agrees with the statements of these prohibitionists...who have obvious conflicts of interest (like a paycheck) when it comes to cannabis law reform and who have been party to (propagandistic) measures - paid for with tax dollars -intent upon preventing the public from learning of any therapeutic value cannabis has.In short, without any debate, it has uncritically accepted in full those statements and that propaganda. And these purport to be journalists?  
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Comment #5 posted by Dr Ganj on October 20, 2004 at 23:26:15 PT
Measure Z
The first thing I'm going to do on November 2nd, is vote YES on Measure Z!
Marijuana should be legal, and that is that.
I've been busted too many times, and have done far too much time in jail for marijuana. I'm confident this will pass, and let's hope other cities will soon follow the path of reason. 
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Comment #4 posted by gloovins on October 20, 2004 at 23:23:33 PT
ahhh, correction Oak Trib
California already has "decrimilized" cannabis on a state level, duhhhh, back in the 1970's. 1 oz and under, a ticket and sign a promise to appear and off you go.Now, let me ask you Oakland Tribune, when IS the time to regulate and tax cannabis? I'll be waiting...& so will alot of others here a c-news I suspect. Mind you, I may be wrong but I don't think so...Tax and regulate in 2004...nationally....IT IS TIME NOW...
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Comment #3 posted by CorvallisEric on October 20, 2004 at 23:06:32 PT
Newspapers
This is just standard newspaper attitude, nevermind the issue. So concerned about the proper time and place for everything. Opposed to giving the finger to those who can't be reached any other way. Maybe it helps explain why they're losing out to the screaming meemies of radio, TV, and blogland. 
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 20, 2004 at 22:06:46 PT
Article from The Washington Post
DEA Withdraws Its Support Of Guidelines on Painkillers: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49719-2004Oct20.html
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Comment #1 posted by siege on October 20, 2004 at 20:40:44 PT
             Rag
 Oakland Tribune (CA)
Senator Don Perata. Is trying to bring Oakland 
into the 21 century by decriminalization. not the reefer madness of the 1900's with your Editorial you are working with the Gov't. to Restore more reefer madness in the near future have you not learned any thing about civil rights since pro. 215 passed. You are IT Oakland the Ball is in your back yard and it is 4th and Over and you don't have time to stop it . Who do you think the people are going to fallow the Senator or a foolish Rag like the Oakland Tribune's writer of this Editorial that has his Head in the Councilmember Danny Wan and Police Chief Richard Word "donkey". Councilmen/wo and the Police will have to learn to think all over again. A local ordinance was the way medical marijuana got it start is this what you are afraid of, decriminalization 
will do the samething, and then the Gov't. will be runing in circles in calif. and Alaska and the other 8 states. 
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