Ten law enforcement-affiliated agencies have gone on record as being opposed to the statewide proposition aimed at the legalization of marijuana that will appear on the ballot in November.
A letter from those ten entities, dated April 22, was sent to the California Assembly. The letter states, “As you know a well-funded ballot initiative that would legalize commercial marijuana, entitled the “Adult Use of Marijuana Act” or “AUMA” is expected to be on this year’s ballot. Defeat of this initiative will be a top priority for the California Police Chiefs Association, California State Sheriffs’ Association, California Peace Officers’ Association, California College and University Police Chiefs Association, California Narcotic Officers Association, the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Assocition, the Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, and the Riverside Sheriffs Association, and we believe that, just like Prop 19 in 2012, it can once again be defeated.”
The letter continues, “The AUMA will not protect our children. In fact, those under the age of 18 will have greater access to marijuana than ever before. They will no longer need a black market when they can grow their own, smoke, or sell it without fear of any meaningful punishment. If marijuana is legal it becomes ‘normalized,’ and sends the wrong message to our teens.”