This is a monumental step for marijuana advocates as they move past the
current state legislation which permits marijuana for medical use.
However, even if the proposition is passed, it doesn't guarantee that
marijuana will be legalized.
Proponents of the proposition seem to be near certain that, should the
initiative pass, federal authorities will immediately request an appeal.
''I have no doubt that the feds will file suit if Proposition 19
passes,'' says Sale Gieringer, the director of the California branch of
NORML, the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws.
The reasons for a federal suit go beyond opinion, according to nine former DEA administrators.
The former DEA authorities state that, ''The California proposition is
not a close call. It will be a clear conflict with established federal
law.'' One of those authorities is the former supervising U.S. attorney
in Los Angeles, Robert Bonner.
''The United States has treaties that would be violated if Proposition
19 were enacted. It would send a terrible signal to countries of the
world,'' said Bonner.
Last year, the medical marijuana movement accomplished a big feat when
Attorney General Eric Holder stated that the federal government would
cease targeting medical marijuana operations in states that permit
medical use.
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