Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct 2010 – Prohibition Has Not Achieved Its Stated Objectives. Legalization Would Be a Saner Way to Deal With Marijuana. People on both sides of the marijuana legalization debate have strong feelings about Proposition 19, the California ballot initiative that promises to regulate, control and tax cannabis. But science and empirical research have been given short shrift in the discussion. That’s unfortunate, because the U.S. government has actually funded excellent research on the subject, and it suggests that several widely held assumptions about cannabis legalization actually may be inaccurate. When the total body of knowledge is considered, it’s hard to conclude that we should stick with the current system.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 16 Oct 2010 – LOS ANGELES — The Department of Justice says it intends to prosecute marijuana laws in California aggressively even if state voters approve an initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot to legalize the drug. The announcement by Eric H. Holder Jr., the attorney general, was the latest reminder of how much of the establishment has lined up against the popular initiative: dozens of editorial boards, candidates for office, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other public officials.

Wall Street Journal, 16 Oct 2010 – Attorney General Eric Holder said the Obama administration "strongly opposes" a California ballot measure to legalize marijuana, warning that federal drug-enforcement efforts would be "greatly complicated" if the measure passes. Recent polls indicate voters narrowly favor passing the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act, also known as Proposition 19, in next month’s election. If passed, the measure would only affect state law, leaving intact the federal law that classifies marijuana as a controlled substance alongside cocaine and other drugs.

Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct 2010 – U.S. Will Enforce Drug Laws Even If State Measure Passes, Attorney General Says. Stepping up the Obama administration’s opposition to Proposition 19, the nation’s top law enforcement official promised to "vigorously enforce" federal drug laws against Californians who grow or sell marijuana for recreational use even if voters pass the legalization measure.

Sacramento Bee, 15 Oct 2010 – A broad question on drug laws may lead you to think me mad. Votes are pending on Proposition 19, the referendum to legalize recreational marijuana use. The promise of taxation to ease budget pain beckons. The war on drugs grows more dubious; rather than eradication, each passing year brings yet another breathless bulletin about record pot busts.

Contra Costa Times, 15 Oct 2010 – The price of the American drug war this year is nearing $40 billion. Our prisons are full of non-violent drug offenders, and violence along the Mexican-U.S. border is constant. One might think the only victims of the drug war are drug users and criminals, although this is not necessarily the case.

San Bernardino Sun, 14 Oct 2010 – California’s Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, will be on the Nov. 2 ballot. This is a state law legalizing the use of cannabis. Cannabis can be ingested to cause a mild form of euphoria, relieve pain, relax muscles, subside nausea and invoke introspective thoughts. The use of cannabis is not limited to "getting high." The fibers and seeds can be used for many other purposes like the production of paper, biodegradable plastics, clothing, foods, dietary supplements, water purification, fuel and building materials.

Redwood Times, 15 Oct 2010 – To the Editor: I am so excited that I can’t keep it to myself; for the first time in my life, I was able to assist in the process of legalizing marijuana by voting YES on Prop 19. As a 215 patient, I am glad this prop. does not affect my rights as a patient; as a consumer I will no longer have to worry about possessing a personal use amount; and as a supporter of domestic hemp production, marijuana legalization will eliminate the barriers to this enterprise. I can’t wait for that in particular.

New York Times, 16 Oct 2010 – LOS ANGELES – The Department of Justice says it intends to prosecute marijuana laws in California aggressively even if state voters approve an initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot to legalize the drug. The announcement by Eric H. Holder Jr., the attorney general, was the latest reminder of how much of the establishment has lined up against the popular initiative: dozens of editorial boards, candidates for office, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other public officials.

AlterNet, 15 Oct 2010 – The campaign to pass California’s Proposition 19, the tax and regulate marijuana legalization initiative, is seeing some good-sized late donations The campaign to pass California’s Proposition 19, the tax and regulate marijuana legalization initiative, is seeing some good-sized late donations, including contributions from Facebook co-founders Dustin Moskovitz and Sean Parker. Meanwhile, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps heir David Bronner has kicked in tens of thousands more for a get out the vote effort in the campaign’s final weeks. And they’re not the only ones making sizeable late donations.Prop 19 would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of pot by adults 21 or older. It would also allow adults to grow up to 25 square feet of marijuana and possess the harvested results. It would give cities and counties the local option to allow, tax, and regulate commercial marijuana sales and cultivation.