The Orange County Register, 15 Oct 2010 – Before we take an official position on Proposition 19, which would make it legal for adults to possess and use up to an ounce of prepared marijuana and grow as much as will fit in a 25-square-foot patch, and authorize local options for larger-scale cultivation and sales, we thought it would be prudent and responsible to discuss some of the issues involved. We invite discussion by our readers. Prop. 19, as major proponent Richard Lee of Oakland told us early on in the process, is not a simple "now it’s legal, have the police do other things" statute. It was crafted to a great extent in response to public opinion polls that showed what aspects and methods of regulating and taxing marijuana (or cannabis) would be likely to garner support from mainstream voters, so it includes compromises and provisions that raise legitimate questions. Nonetheless, passage would be a major step in America’s policy toward certain drugs.

The Visalia Times-Delta, 18 Oct 2010 – Tempting as it is to agree with the legalization of marijuana, Proposition 19 is the wrong measure at the wrong time, filled with inconsistency, empty promises and loopholes. Given the confusing mess created by its medical marijuana laws, California isn’t ready for full-fledged legalization. We recommend that voters reject Proposition 19 on Nov. 2.

San Diego Union Tribune, 18 Oct 2010 – Proposition 19, the Nov. 2 ballot measure that would legalize the possession, cultivation and transport of marijuana for "personal use" by adults over 21, and would allow local governments to regulate and tax it, may be the worst drafted legislation since 1996, when Proposition 215 legalized "medical marijuana." That decision by voters 14 years ago set California on a collision course with the federal government that continues today. It led to the explosion of marijuana dispensaries in urban areas throughout the state, almost all of which, according to law enforcement authorities, operate in violation of the law. And, while it does provide a legal source for marijuana for the relatively small number of people who use it for legitimate medical purposes, officials say it is abused by many, many more.

Chico Enterprise-Record, 15 Oct 2010 – When considering the measure to legalize marijuana, I hope that we as a society bring common sense to the voting booth. In short, stoned just means that: stoned. The mind and physical reactions are impaired. If people think they will get high and remain at home and not venture out to a job, a party, or for the munchies, how will they determine that they are sober? How will they know for sure when it is safe to drive? If they do stay at home, the effect will be on the rest of the household. The person smoking the now legal substance is in his or her own world.

Santa Cruz Sentinel, 15 Oct 2010 – A strong argument can be made that marijuana use should be legal. After all, penalties have been drastically softened in recent years. Equally compelling is the argument that prohibiting marijuana creates disrespect for the law, since so many people openly flout the ban. Prohibition didn’t work with alcohol, legalization supporters say, and it hasn’t worked with marijuana. Keeping it illegal just deprives local communities of tax revenue from sales and puts money in the pockets of gangsters and cartels.

Napa Valley Register, 15 Oct 2010 – The ‘Just Say No’ egg left the frying pan a long time ago. Our nation is losing its war on drugs. The once-ferocious fight against the use of marijuana has retreated into a crevasse of inconsequential court cases.

San Diego City Beat, 13 Oct 2010 – Of course we’re endorsing Prop. 19, the ballot initiative to legalize marijuana and allow local governments to tax it. We believe that it’ll boost California’s economy, create new jobs and ease the budget crisis. We believe that it will strike a blow to cartels and lift a significant burden from our overtaxed justice system. And, yes, we also disclose that legalization will a) help CityBeat’s bottom line-and consequently allow us to serve you better-and b) make our nights and weekends way more fun. For those who value personal liberty, yes on 19 is the only moral vote. Don’t believe the scare tactics from the opposition. Marijuana is no more a gateway drug than miniskirts are a pathway to prostitution. Our officials are quite capable of writing laws to regulate marijuana and prosecute irresponsible behavior. The prevalence of medical-marijuana collectives have had no major negative impact on San Diego, and anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to get you into church. People: Jesus loves the tokers, too. We’d like you to vote yes on Prop. 19. – — MAP posted-by: Richard Lake

Whittier Daily News, 16 Oct 2010 – MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION ISSUE HITS WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL The marijuana legalization issue hit the Whittier City Council this week. And there was a 3-2 vote in essence to come out against Prop. 19. However, four votes were needed to put it on the agenda so it fell one short.

Daily Press, 16 Oct 2010 – A letter to the editor in the Wall Street Journal Thursday came from John Fisher, the lead Office of Management and Budget on an interagency drug interdiction task force involving the White House Office of Drug Policy, the Office of Management and Budget, (Immigration Service-Border Patrol and Drug Enforcement Administration) and Treasury (Customs Service) in the 1970s. Mr. Fisher pointed out that his office presented conclusions to White House staff and to Treasury and Justice and leadership "based on estimates that we were interdiction about 5 percent of marijuana and about the same singledigit percent of ‘hard’ drugs coming across U.S. Borders."

Appeal-Democrat, 13 Oct 2010 – Regardless of what the governor did to change the state laws on marijuana, drug use is extremely detrimental to all people. All drug use should only be allowed under the strict control of a licensed doctor. Federal laws will continue to be enforced and many, many people will pay a high price for violations. In less than a month voters will go to the polls and vote on Proposition 19. This proposition, as written, must be defeated. If this proposition wins, tens of millions of federal dollars will be lost, employers will not be able to enforce a drug-free work place, and the vague language in the proposition could result in endless litigation. Police, fire and drug court judge organizations are urging a no vote on Prop. 19