cannabisnews.com: Measure K Doesn't Change Much in Santa Cruz





Measure K Doesn't Change Much in Santa Cruz
Posted by CN Staff on February 12, 2007 at 07:51:42 PT
By Shanna McCord, Sentinel Staff Writer 
Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel
Santa Cruz, CA -- More than two months after Measure K took effect, Santa Cruz police say nothing has changed in their day-to-day operations as a result of the new law that made adult marijuana crimes the lowest law enforcement priority in the city.Marijuana arrests, usually connected to more serious crimes, are still taking place. But many local leaders agree marijuana has never been a major priority for police unless associated with other serious or violent crime. A review of nearly 270 marijuana citations in 2005, the most recent numbers available, showed only one case in which Measure K would have been applicable, police spokesman Zach Friend said.
"Nothing's changed, and nothing will change," he said.But the city is beginning to make other changes to implement the requirements of Measure K, which was passed by Santa Cruz voters in November. President George W. Bush and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger soon will be receiving letters from city leaders in support of legalizing marijuana. The letters are mandatory under Measure K.In addition to annual letters favoring the legalization of marijuana sent to state and federal lawmakers, the law mandates the city form a citizen's oversight committee to keep tabs on all marijuana-related arrests and citations in Santa Cruz. Under the law, Santa Cruz police are not allowed to testify in marijuana-related court cases and they're prohibited from accepting federal funds to make marijuana busts, which City Attorney John Barisone has said is a legal conflict. Police say it's rare to receive federal money to fight marijuana crimes anyhow.The oversight committee is in the formation stage. So far, no applications have been turned in, City Clerk Leslie Cook said. Measure K requires the oversight committee be up and running by mid-March, which is 100 days after the election was certified by the City Council."We're doing everything we can to comply with the letter of the law," Mayor Emily Reilly said. "Things are moving along within the time frame given to us by the ordinance"The committee will be made up of city residents appointed by the council, in addition to a representative from the police department and county District Attorney's Office as non-voting liaisons.The committee will design a supplemental report form for police to use in reporting all adult marijuana arrests and seizures, and all instances of officers assisting state and federal officers in local marijuana busts.The committee must make semi-annual reports to the council.City leaders worry the committee might become an added burden to the staff.Councilwoman Cynthia Mathews called the committee and its work "a completely new and labor-intensive reporting form""It has created more of an administrative burden," Assistant City Manager Martin Bernal said. "Those resources could be better spent on other higher priority things in the city"Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA)Author: Shanna McCord, Sentinel Staff Writer Published: February 12, 2007 Copyright: 2007 Santa Cruz SentinelContact: editorial santa-cruz.comWebsite: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/Related Articles: As We See It: Pot Capital?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22375.shtmlSkepticism Surrounds Santa Cruz's Marijuana Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22369.shtmlPolice Should Focus on Other Things Besides Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22334.shtml 
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Comment #6 posted by Toker00 on February 12, 2007 at 09:41:09 PT
Not Texas City, Your City.
I forgot to replace that with YOUR CITY.Toke.
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Comment #5 posted by Toker00 on February 12, 2007 at 09:39:20 PT
Please help if you can. They have made it easy.
Dear MoveOn member,This week the House of Representatives is likely to condemn the president's plan to escalate the war. This will be an important first step—but it's only the beginning. Over the next few weeks, they'll be deciding how far they're willing to go to stop the president.Next week, Congress is home for recess. It'll be our best chance to impact that decision. It's really important to keep the pressure up during this critical period—Congress is "the decider"—they can stop this escalation. They need to know that the public is counting on them to do that.That's why we're organizing "Congress Decides" letter deliveries next Thursday, February 22nd. We'll join other MoveOn members and hand-deliver thousands of letters asking Congress to stop the escalation. We really need someone to step up to lead one in Texas City. Can you help?http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/create.html? action_id= 76&id= 9863-6910519-hUcw8NKN9I9uKGpZo08waA&t= 3Leading an event is easy. The deliveries will happen around lunchtime outside of Congressional offices. We'll email other MoveOn members and invite them to attend. We'll provide the signs and we'll give you tips on reaching out to the media. Your job is to select a location to meet, register it with our online tool and then follow a few simple steps outlined in the organizing kit we'll send you.This week, tens of thousands of MoveOn members are getting together at over 1,200 movie nights around the country to watch a powerful documentary about the human cost of war—The Ground Truth. After the movie, we'll write letters to Congress pushing them to take the next step and start bringing an end to this war.At the event we're asking you to lead, folks will bring these letters and we'll send you hundreds more.This is a big moment in the fight to end the war. There hasn't been so much concern about the direction of the war coming from so many people all over the country since it began. Hundreds of thousands of us are getting involved everyday and we have to keep the momentum going.Stopping escalation is the way to get out of Iraq. If we can show Congress that Americans want escalation blocked, the only other option is a responsible exit.It's important for our representatives to see the faces of Americans in their district who want to stop the escalation and end this war. Can you lead a letter delivery near you?http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/create.html? action_id= 76&id= 9863-6910519-hUcw8NKN9I9uKGpZo08waA&t= 4Thanks for all you do,–Nita, Marc, Matt, Justin and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team
 Monday, February 12th, 2007PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.Toke. 
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 12, 2007 at 09:37:57 PT
Toker00
He is really living the hippie dream. That's why I love him too.I really am happy that the Dixie Chicks won. They have crossed over to the light is how I see them. I can tell it has been hard on them but they have stood their ground and God Bless them for it.
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Comment #3 posted by Toker00 on February 12, 2007 at 09:35:01 PT
He hasn't won, FoM,
because he is a "Hippie". That is the bottom line. He is too real. To "common". That is exactly why I Love him.Toke.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 12, 2007 at 09:30:56 PT
Toker00
I am happy about the Dixie Chicks too. I wish Neil would have won something but he never has so he is use to it I guess. 
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Comment #1 posted by Toker00 on February 12, 2007 at 09:27:14 PT
 OT: DIXIE CHICKS
I'm very proud of the support these women have gained. They deserve every award they won simply for standing up against Bushco. They were ANTI when ANTI wasn't cool. They are beautiful, talented, brave and Patriotic. SALUTE!Toke.
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