| | Published November 2nd, 2016
| Lamorindans Speak Out About the Legalization of Pot in California
| | | By Nick Marnell | | |
With California claiming it loses hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue each year to the marijuana black market, the state placed Proposition 64 on the November ballot. The proposition, known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, will legalize the recreational use of the drug for adults 21 and over and impose a tax on cultivation and retail sales. Though pot would be legal in California, the sale or possession of marijuana remains a federal offense.
Two things this article promises: You will read no worn-out double entendres about inhalation, vegetation or elevation; nor will you hear pontification from candidates, public officials or law enforcement. Presented are the opinions of real-life, everyday Lamorindans, captured candidly around town in September and October, giving their take on the legalization of marijuana.
"I'm having long talks with my children about this," said Carol McDonald of Lafayette. She wasn't quite ready to give the bill two thumbs up because she was concerned about one particular aspect of the marijuana business. "I'm not sure I want to see a dispensary in my neighborhood," she said. Not all municipalities will permit legal dispensaries but as a tradeoff, they will not share in the state revenue. Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda all ban marijuana dispensaries.
Lafayette's Alma Heidary and Kim Shaw of Orinda are all for the regulation and taxation of the drug. "It will create more jobs, maybe lower crime," Shaw said, seconding the state's expectation that if marijuana is decriminalized, criminals will go out of business.
"Certainly," said Joe Viola, a proponent from Orinda. "But there should be a limit on how much you are allowed to have." Viola needn't worry too much, as the statute will limit possession to 28.5 grams.
Orinda mom Lisa Lyon voiced a strong yes. "It's easier for kids to get grass than it is liquor. They'll need an ID, the control will be better and the purity can be regulated," Lyon said. To that end the Department of Consumer Affairs will license and oversee marijuana retailers and distributors, and the Department of Food and Agriculture will license and oversee marijuana cultivation, ensuring its environmental safety.
"Regulating pot is a good thing," said Lafayette soccer official John Topping, who ultimately favors legalization with one caveat. "My qualms are the education of the youth, and the impact the drug would have on their brains," he said. Per the statute, revenue from marijuana sales will provide funding to invest in public health programs that educate youth in order to prevent and treat serious substance abuse. Also, the law will ban dispensaries from within 600 feet of schools.
Aneesh Seth, whose wife attends Saint Mary's College, thinks pot is no big deal. "And it's a waste of our resources to police it," he said. Speaking of the college, a surprising feature of this survey was that younger adults were not gung-ho to pass the measure. SMC student Matt Harris had no opinion, as he does not use the drug. Moraga's Kelly Jacobs, 21, said she hopes the proposition does not pass. "It's too dangerous to drive while on pot," she said. The law will disallow using marijuana while driving, and the current laws prohibiting driving under its influence will be enforced.
Lily Shaw, 22, of Orinda argued that passage will get rid of the mystique and the stigma that pot makes people lazy and unproductive. "People think it's worse than it really is," she said.
Most journalists are not big on anonymous sources, but many of those in favor of Prop 64 offered solid reasons for not being quoted. A Lafayette man said that his clients would not appreciate hearing what he had to say about the measure. Similarly, people feared backlash from their neighbors if their position appeared in print.
One Moraga respondent not in favor of legalizing the drug understandably wished to remain anonymous. "Because I don't want to pay taxes on it. I have a great deal with my dealer!" said the young man.
Though you were promised no words from public officials, Lamorinda's next-door neighbor contributed an anti-comment that was very hard to pass up. "Marijuana plants are not pretty," said Loella Haskew, mayor of Walnut Creek, when she urged her city council to pass a resolution opposing Prop. 64, which requires a majority vote for passage. You just never know what can swing the undecideds.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA