FOCUS ON...MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

On next Tuesday's ballot in California is Proposition 19, an initiative to legalize marijuana. As you might imagine, this is another one of those hot button issues that has been seemingly ignored by those running for office. And, I will admit, I don't have a clear cut stand.

I can tell you that if I could guarantee that only adults would have access, I might find some merit in the law. It could also be a tax windfall for the state. But, without criminal penalty, I worry that the substance would get in the hands of youth and cause more experimentation than is occurring at the present time.

Whatever the result is next week, I am sure we're only at the beginning of this fight to equate pot with booze. I can only hope that we make the right decision.

1. Up in smoke? California's quest to legalize pot. [Examiner]
2. California’s pot legalization initiative digs into the weeds of race. [Color Lines]
3. End the war on pot [The New York Times]
4. Soros and Men's Wearhouse founder donate to California pot legalization. [The Washington Post]

5. Oaksterdam's Richard Lee: Make weed legal like Budweiser, not orange juice. [CNN]
6. Health vs. high: A closer look at pot. [Orange County Register]
7. Pelosi: Mexican officials lobbying against pot legalization [The Huffington Post]
8. Mother: I'd rather my kids used cannabis than alcohol (Text & Video). [Telegraph -UK]