Profits from seizures will go to public education, not law enforcement. Nevada and Colorado passed constitutional amendments letting patients with certain illnesses use marijuana, if recommended by a physician. Both set up a state-run confidential registry of patients allowed to grow and use marijuana. Nevada's law directs the state legislature to create a legal supply for medicinal marijuana users. In California, Mendocino County voters went a step further, backing a county-wide initiative to decriminalize backyard marijuana gardens.
Medicinal marijuana is a proven winner at the polls, despite fierce opposition from the feds.
The public's pragmatism deserves smarter, more sensible leadership from the federal government. The public is ready for a change. Now we need a leader. Joanne Jacobs is a member of the Mercury News editorial board. Her column appears on Mondays and Thursdays.