Meeting Recap
Posted by Steve Lamon
on Aug 10, 2010
Last Meeting...
Keynote speaker and distinguished McGeorge
School of Law criminal law professor Michael Vitiello treated our club to an
educational and erudite discussion of the pros and cons of legalizing
marijuana, which also had the joint rolling in the isles with his comedic side
comments. He provided a concise summary
of the main points underlying a legalization bill (AB 390) currently pending
the State legislature, as compared and contrasted with the legalization
initiative which will be on the ballot before the voters this Fall. He briefly reviewed the proponents’ claims
that legalization may create tens of thousands of new jobs, greatly increase
State tax revenues, while also greatly decrease outlays for prison and
courtroom costs associated with current pot prosecution. He also discussed the opponents’ major
concerns, such as increased pot smoking by our youth, increased addiction to
pot (and other drugs), increased gang and drug cartel involvement, and increased
long term health care costs. He noted
that, regardless of what California law makers or voters may decide, the
“elephant in the room” is the over-arching undecided position of the federal
government, which will ultimately have to be determined – after the smoke from
the upcoming election clears. Our thanks
go to the erudite Professor Vitiello for educating us all on this timely and
controversial issue. - SL