Edmonton Journal, 24 Oct 2010 – Sales, Tax Revenue During Tough Economic Times Pitted Against Fears of ‘Ganga Madness’ If Laws Relaxed Gripping his lighter in one hand and a blue bubbler pipe in another, David Goldman leans forward on his living room couch and begins to medicate. The pipe burbles as he takes a long drag of the premium marijuana doctors have recommended for his chronic pain and headaches. He waits a moment to exhale, savours the taste, then releases a long plume of smoke into the air.

The Reporter, 24 Oct 2010 – California voters this November will decide on Proposition 19, which legalizes the private-adult possession and use of limited quantities of marijuana, and allows local governments to regulate its commercial production and retail distribution. Proposition 19 is endorsed by a broad range of leading criminal justice, civil rights and religious organizations. These include the National Black Police Association, the California Council of Churches IMPACT, the California National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the California League of United Latin American Citizens, the Latino Voters League, the Progressive Jewish Alliance and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Western States Council.

San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Oct 2010 – No TV ads. No billboards. Just a lot of news conferences, endorsement announcements, mailings by special-interest groups and phone calls to voters. That’s what the battle has consisted of so far in the campaigns around the lowest-key, highest-interest election issue on the Nov. 2 ballot – Proposition 19, which would legalize personal marijuana use for adults. And that’s pretty much the game plan from here to the end.

The Times-Herald, 24 Oct 2010 – Seventy-eight years ago this November, Californians overwhelmingly voted to repeal a morally, socially, and economically failed public policy — alcohol prohibition. Voters did not wait for the federal government to act; they took matters into their own hands. On Nov. 2, California voters have an opportunity to repeat history and repeal an equally bankrupt public policy — marijuana prohibition.

Press-Enterprise, 25 Oct 2010 – Prop. 19 was a dubious proposition even before the federal government snuffed out one of the biggest arguments in the measure’s favor last week. Comments from the Justice Department are yet more evidence that Prop. 19’s promises are largely smoke — and that voters should not inhale. Prop. 19 on the Nov. 2 ballot proposes to legalize marijuana in California for those 21 years and older, and would let state and local governments regulate and tax the drug. Proponents say this step would save taxpayers money now spent policing marijuana, and would generate revenue for public services.

The Reporter, 24 Oct 2010 – California voters this November will decide on Proposition 19, which legalizes the private-adult possession and use of limited quantities of marijuana, and allows local governments to regulate its commercial production and retail distribution. Proposition 19 is endorsed by a broad range of leading criminal justice, civil rights and religious organizations. These include the National Black Police Association, the California Council of Churches IMPACT, the California National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the California League of United Latin American Citizens, the Latino Voters League, the Progressive Jewish Alliance and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Western States Council.

Appeal-Democrat, 22 Oct 2010 – I vote no on Proposition 19. I have heard both arguments: the pros seem like so much propaganda and the cons seem too political. It’s not that hard to see why we should vote no. If this law passes, our schools will no longer be drug free zones. Medical staff, EMS, fire/law, those we trust with our lives could be under the influence at any given time. Families will be ripped apart and children will be removed because drug abuse eventually leads to that.

Marin Independent Journal, 22 Oct 2010 – HERE IN MARIN, we think of ourselves as a mellow lot, a live-and-let-live people. We like to wait and see, consider both sides of the question. But while we’re doing that, it seems we are easy prey. Vandals are grabbing our open space. Two months ago, a huge pot bust in West Marin, right in the Mount Tamalpais foothills, was reported in this paper. The bust netted almost 7,000 marijuana plants, occupying more than 100 acres around Kent Lake.

The Salinas Californian, 22 Oct 2010 – In a way, Proposition 19 on the Nov. 2 ballot can do for marijuana what Arizona’s SB 1070 did for illegal immigration — bring it to the top of the national agenda. Just as critical as it is to move toward immigration reform, a national debate and action on the legalization of marijuana is overdue. Prop. 19 on the state ballot could thrust the issue to the top of the agenda. However, that’s about the only value Prop. 19 serves because, as state law, it fails on several counts.

Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct 2010 – SURVEY SHOWS LEGAL POT BID FAILING In Other Results, Cooley and Newsom Hold Slim Leads for Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor. California’s marijuana legalization ballot initiative, Proposition 19, is trailing badly, according to a new Los Angeles Times/USC poll, which found likely voters opposing it 51% to 39%.