cannabisnews.com: Voters: Make Pot a Low Priority Voters: Make Pot a Low Priority Posted by CN Staff on November 03, 2004 at 09:06:48 PT By Heather MacDonald, Staff Writer Source: Oakland Tribune Oakland -- Voters on Tuesday laid the groundwork for the decriminalization of marijuana by voting overwhelmingly for Measure Z, which orders the Oakland Police Department to make private, adult use of pot its lowest priority. According to early unofficial returns, Measure Z received almost two-thirds of the vote, appearing to win decisively. Celebrating at the Old Bulldog Cafe in the heart of what was once known as "Oaksterdam," supporters said the victory heralded the end of the drug war in Oakland. "It feels great," said Joe De Vries, the measure's author. "This is the step in the right direction. People recognize the drug war has been an abject failure. Who better than Oaklanders to step forward and say its time to try something new?" Measure Z also requires the city to lobby the state to legalize adult possession, cultivation, distribution and use of marijuana and set up a system to tax and regulate the sale of the drug if it is decriminalized. The measure calls for an advisory panel of citizens of law enforcement officials to draft reasonable policies to implement the new law. The successful campaign was largely funded by national groups dedicated to the legalization of marijuana, including the Washington, D.C.- based Marijuana Policy Project. Oakland is now at the forefront of efforts to legalize recreational pot for adults, and supporters said they hoped other cities and eventually the state would follow in Oakland's footsteps. Opponents said they were disappointed and were preparing for a potential battle over the legality of Measure Z. Police Chief Richard Word campaigned vigorously against the measure, warning it would turn Oakland -- already bedeviled by the drug trade -- into ground zero for California's marijuana trade. "My fear is that this will grow out of control, and we'll have smoke shops setting up all over the city," Word said. "But we'll respect the will of the voters. But it's disappointing." Word said the Police Department focuses solely on the street-level drug trade, which has been linked to the majority of murders in Oakland, and rarely arrests anyone for smoking pot in their own home. City Attorney John Russo has said he is not sure the measure's two main provisions are legal. On Tuesday, Russo's spokeswoman Erica Harrold said he would review the measure's language and make a determination on whether to challenge it in court.Note: Supporters say approval means end to city drug war.Source: Oakland Tribune (CA)Author: Heather MacDonald, Staff WriterPublished: Wednesday, November 03, 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/California NORMLhttp://www.canorml.org/Measure Z is a Step in The Right Directionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19739.shtmlTime To Endorse Alternative To War on Drugshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19734.shtmlMeasure Z Would Ease Pot Use Laws http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19657.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by MDG on November 03, 2004 at 19:17:05 PT I don't know, Hope... But, personally, I'd much rather see money from Bill Gates go into initiatives than from George Soros. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Hope on November 03, 2004 at 14:21:05 PT Thank you, Taylor You're right and your words are encouraging.What you said about finances made me think. The antis got all nasty about all that "outside money" we were getting. That's good in the long run, probably. It's a lie, of course, but money or even the mere rumor of money attracts people like sugar attracts flies. More people will be attracted to our cause simply because we are not percieved as so poor anymore. In our situation there is no advantage in being poor whatsoever. Money attracts money, and though we tend to think of it as that "filthy lucre"...it can be useful. The more they talk about how "well funded" we are...the more likely we are to be "well funded"...I suspect. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Taylor121 on November 03, 2004 at 13:44:23 PT Keep In Mind Keep in mind on Alaska, that we got 43% support. That is a significant number, especially for such a pro Bush state. I checked the demographics, and it looks like support was over 60% for those ages 18-29! That is awesome! It appears the older group of citizens still associate marijuana with hippies or the sort. Our effort has to do two things. We have to get more funding, and B our goal has to be do convince the Republican Christian Moralist base that prohibition doesn't work, and the idea of tolorance applies here just like it does with alcohol. Keep in mind, all the wins we got. Look around. A new state legalized medical marijuana. Several municipal intiative on the issue passed. On the personal use of pot: Alaska failed, but Oakland's passed as well as a decriminalization measure in another area. How about that? We struggled to pass on that ballot last time, it overwhelmed them this time around!Cannabis reform is happening, but we gotta stop complaining and start putting money in 3 organizations.Marijuana Policy Project- http://www.mpp.org National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws- http://www.norml.org Drug Policy Alliance- http://www.drugpolicy.orgIf you haven't donated to at least one of these, do so now. I am a member of NORML and the MPP. However, the DPA does incredible work as well.I also strongly urge you all to write letters to all of your officials in office, including local officials. Get behind these organizations, they are making the reforms we see possible and they will continue to fight for reforms! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 03, 2004 at 11:42:42 PT Dr Ganj I like your enthusiasm. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Dr Ganj on November 03, 2004 at 11:41:08 PT Let's sell some reefer! Well, Alaskans are morons. Voters in Oregon are cretins, and voters in Oakland are the brightest in the land. Marijuana is groovy & good, and it will be wonderful to see all the new cannabis stores open. I am right now looking for buildings to lease, and I will be selling the best ganj in this country. See you at my grand opening in OAKLAND!! You'll know your're in my store when you see TSUNAMI for sale. It is simply awesome. Let's REEF OUT! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 03, 2004 at 11:29:11 PT The GCW I know what you are trying to say. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by siege on November 03, 2004 at 11:27:21 PT Measure Z City Attorney John Russo has said he is not sure the measure's two main provisions are legal.Hear is his head Ache it was Key Word (voted in) by the people and in the End he will have to go with the people. even if he don't like it his prohibitionist ways will have to go. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by The GCW on November 03, 2004 at 10:11:44 PT I wonder a few things... 1st, is this law any different that what Frisco and Breckenridge, Colorado did; what 15 years ago? Are things any better since they enacted that law in Breck and Frisco? I don't think so. It is a step in the right direction, FOR SURE, just not enough, where I come from... Don't get complacent, there is more work to be done.2nd, would re-legalizing cannabis have done better in California? Whoah. Look what it did in Bush-voting Alaska... I imagine a few more % of Californians would support it... and it only needs a few more percent...I wonder if everyone knows D.C. only gave Bush 9% of the vote; Kerry received 90%?I wonder if everyone knows Utah gave Bush the biggest percent of it's vote to Bush with 71% (is that right?); I wonder if We want Utah to be leading the nation.I wonder if Magbie's death effected voters in DC?D.C. and Utah are crying for 2 different things. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on November 03, 2004 at 09:54:21 PT Opponents Are there any "opponents" other than the city police and district attorney? [ Post Comment ] Post Comment