CHIEF COPSEY REVIEWS THE MARIJUANA INITIATIVE

Posted by Richard L. Roberts 
 

Introduction:   Proposition 19, also known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, a California ballot proposition on the November 2, 2010 California statewide ballot.  It legalizes various marijuana-related activities, allows local governments to regulate these activities, permits local governments to impose and collect marijuana-related fees and taxes, and authorizes various criminal and civil penalties.  In March 2010 it qualified to be on the November statewide ballot.  It requires a simple majority to pass.  As of September 2010, even if the proposition is passed, the sale of marijuana will remain illegal under federal law via the Controlled Substances Act.

 

Sandra Sansoni  introduced Jim Copsey, a seasoned law enforcement officer with over 22 years of experience and the current Chief of Police for the City of Grover Beach.  He has an Associate's degree in Administration of Justice, a Bachelor's degree in Management from Saint Mary's College and currently working on a Master's degree in Criminal Justice.

            Copsey explains that the initiative has nothing to do with medical use of marijuana; the most commonly used illegal substance.  This initiative allows the general use of marijuana, allows a person to use it and grow it in their back yard, in a neighboring yard and even on a lot next to a school yard. 

The active ingredient in marijuana is known as THC, the concentration of which, in marijuana, used to be 1-4% and is now more like about 20%.  Marijuana comes in different forms, such as, bubble gum, candy, juices and soft drinks.  The law prohibits state government from taxing the drug, leaving it up to local jurisdictions; this will become an administrative nightmare with each of the 536 local jurisdictions in California establishing their own administrative rules and rates of taxation.  The initiative prohibits the taxation by the state of those who grow or use weed. 

There is an emphasis of crime going down if marijuana is legalized.  It is stated that nationally law enforcement arrested 734,000 people for marijuana violations; however, only 1% of those are serving jail time.  The proposed law will allow employees to consume marijuana in the workplace; if businesses or schools cannot be a Drug Free Workplace, they will lose federal funding.  There is not a specific standard of measurement of being under the influence as there is measuring alcohol and it will be difficult to show a user's impairment. 

Copsey encourages everyone to become familiar with the proposal and its ramifications, particularly on the impact of local governments to administer the initiative.  He suggests a careful review of all issues before voting.