Globe and Mail, 21 Oct 2010 – Early last year, David Meiler was a student at a community college in Buffalo, seeing only dead ends in the grim economy of upstate New York. So like many young people before him, he headed west, lured by a vision of a burgeoning industry. It wasn’t software, or green technology, or show business. It was marijuana. Thanks to a measure on November’s ballot, California is surprisingly close to becoming the first U.S. state to legalize recreational use of the drug. Mr. Meiler, 22, is one of the volunteers devoting his days to the cause. Indifferent toward politics until now, he has made more than 20,000 calls to voters in the last two months.

Contra Costa Times, 20 Oct 2010 – California Voters Will Decide Nov. 2 Whether to Legalize Recreational Use of Drug The marijuana cigarette, with its pungent smell, became a symbol of the 1960s. Bill Clinton tried it, but didn’t inhale. Comedians joked about burned-out dopers with brains altered by a variety of drugs, including pot.

Huffington Post, 21 Oct 2010 – During California gubernatorial debates last week, Meg Whitman was asked about her position on Proposition 19 and marijuana legalization and said: "Every single law enforcement official in this entire state is against Proposition 19." Former San Jose Chief of Police Joseph McNamara disagrees.

Appeal-Democrat, 20 Oct 2010 – Given that it was written partially in response to opinion polls, rather than as an exercise in pure theory, Proposition 19, which would legalize the possession and use of up an ounce of marijuana (cannabis) for adult Californians, contains provisions that an advocate of pure devotion to liberty might not have included. Some of these provisions have raised questions, some justified and some exaggerated out of any relation to reality. We thought it appropriate to deal with some of these issues, chiefly the reasons for having a "local option" for sales and cultivation and the possible implication this proposal would have on the ability of employers to discipline people who are impaired at work due to cannabis use, and of police to handle drivers similarly impaired. Prop. 19 would establish a statewide policy, to wit: adults may possess up to an ounce of cannabis and may cultivate a patch of plants amounting to 25 square feet. But it contemplates that there will be a demand to purchase cannabis, as well, so it allows localities to develop their own policies for regulating cultivation and sales (and collecting taxes on them) or to prohibit any sales or cultivation beyond the 25-square-foot limit.

Record Searchlight, 20 Oct 2010 – SHASTA LAKE — A plan that would establish strict guidelines for cultivation of medical marijuana within city limits may be adopted Thursday by the Shasta Lake Planning Commission. Although the marijuana cultivation rules are still a work in progress and could be modified by commissioners, as well as the City Council, outdoor marijuana gardens would be allowed under the latest version of the plan.

Anderson Valley Post, 20 Oct 2010 – To the Editor of the Anderson Valley Post: Thank you for considering this letter for publication. Suppose you got arrested and thrown in jail with violent criminals and fired from your job for a glass of wine or bottle of beer that you consumed a week ago.

Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct 2010 – U.S. Official Says Pot Legalization Is Not the Right Response to the Drug War’s Failure. The nation’s drug czar traveled to California to highlight his contention that legalizing marijuana is not the answer to a drug war he acknowledged has not succeeded. Instead, Gil Kerlikowske stressed what he called a middle way: increased prevention and treatment.

Los Angeles Independent, 21 Oct 2010 – Of the nine initiatives that will be on the statewide ballot on Nov. 2, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, better known as Proposition 19, is certain to be the most keenly watched. The effort to legalize pot has ignited a lively debate within L.A.’s black community, with proponents insisting that marijuana laws unfairly criminalize African-American youth and religious leaders and others advocating for the status quo.

Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct 2010 – California Can Pass Prop. 19 and Legalize Marijuana, but the U.S. Government Won’t Go Along. If California voters were still under the illusion that Proposition 19 would legalize marijuana, U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. sought to disabuse them of the notion last week. "We will vigorously enforce the [federal Controlled Substances Act] against those individuals and organizations that possess, manufacture or distribute marijuana for recreational use, even if such activities are permitted under state law," Holder wrote in a letter to nine former heads of the Drug Enforcement Administration who had lobbied the Obama administration to forcefully oppose California’s overreaching ballot initiative.

Times-Standard, 20 Oct 2010 – The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday to support Proposition 19, despite some members’ hesitation over the measure to legalize marijuana. Although 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace had originally recommended the board take a "no position," 4th District Supervisor Bonnie Neely said she supported Proposition 19 and she thinks the board should as well because of marijuana’s ties to Humboldt’s economy and public safety.