CASUAL-POT-SMOKING MEASURE IS CERTIFIED

Oakland Cannabis Initiative Has 20,000 Signatures Required.

Oakland -- Local support for recreational pot smoking will be tested in November under a largely symbolic ballot measure.

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters late Monday certified the 20,000 signatures required to get the Oakland Cannabis Initiative on the ballot, said City Clerk Ceda Floyd.

The initiative directs local police and prosecutors to turn a blind eye to recreational use of marijuana by adults at least 21 years old, giving it the lowest priority for enforcement that police already give to medical cannabis users.

The initiative also would put Oakland at the forefront of the marijuana legalization movement.  Although the city cannot legalize pot, it could set up a system to tax and regulate sales as soon as state law allows.  Federal law still considers all marijuana use, even medical, to be illegal.

In addition, the measure would set up a citizens' committee to oversee implementation and urges the city to lobby for marijuana law changes.

"This is a historic initiative because it would be a large U.S.  city making it clear that policies around marijuana don't make any sense," said Judith K.  Appel, director of legal affairs for the Oakland-based Drug Policy Alliance.  "I think we'll find the people would rather have their police resources go into problems they are more concerned about."

Both Seattle and Mendocino County have passed measures requiring law enforcement to give a low priority to adult marijuana use.  Several city councils and other governing bodies have passed similar resolutions.  But Oakland would be the first to move toward further regulation of sales, Appel said.

The measure was backed by the Oakland Civil Liberties Alliance, a group of pro-marijuana advocates and individuals.  It has the support of Councilmembers Nancy Nadel ( Downtown-West Oakland ) and Desley Brooks ( Eastmont-Seminary ), along with Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley -- whose aide, Joe DeVries, is one of the main organizers behind the measure.

They argue that regulation would take the drug off the street, and taxing marijuana would generate cash for the city.  A January poll of 600 voters found strong support for such a measure.

Oakland police say they already give a low priority to possession of small amounts of marijuana.  The measure does not specify any guidelines on how much pot -- an ounce or a pound -- an adult would be allowed to possess for personal use, however.

Oakland has strongly supported medical marijuana.  The city deputized the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative as its official agent to dispense marijuana to those with a doctor's prescription.  A new city law allows four permitted dispensaries in the city, which caused some to close down.

The City Council is scheduled to vote July 20 to place the cannabis initiative on the ballot, Floyd said.  The vote is just a formality, and the council will not weigh in on the measure one way or another.