FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Angell - (202) 557-4979 or media//at//leap//dot//cc
Two Cops & Judge Sign Pro-Legalization Ballot Argument for Marijuana Measure
Many California Law Enforcers Back Proposition 19
SACRAMENTO, CA -- A retired LAPD deputy chief, a previous San Jose chief of police and a former superior court judge from Orange County have signed the official ballot argument in favor of Proposition 19, the statewide measure to legalize, tax and control marijuana.
"Outlawing marijuana hasn’t stopped 100 million Americans from trying it," reads the pro-legalization ballot argument from the veteran law enforcers. "But we can control it, make it harder for kids to get, weaken the cartels, focus police resources on violent crime and generate billions in revenue and savings. We need a common sense approach to control marijuana."
The signers, Los Angeles Deputy Chief of Police Stephen Downing (Ret.), San Jose Chief of Police Joseph McNamara (Ret.) and Judge James Gray (Ret.) are all members of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), an international organization of police, prosecutors and judges who are working to change failed marijuana laws.
The three signatories constitute only a handful of the dozens of California police officers, judges and prosecutors who are actively campaigning to help voters understand that the current prohibition on marijuana represents a grave threat to public safety by empowering the violent cartels and gangs that control the illegal market.
A CBS-5/Survey USA poll out this week shows Prop. 19 leading 50% to 40% among likely voters.
The full ballot argument in favor of Prop. 19 can be read at
<http://copssaylegalize.blogspot.com/2010/07/official-prop-19-ballot-argument-signed.html>
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Showing posts with label judge jim gray. Show all posts
Showing posts with label judge jim gray. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Official Prop. 19 Ballot Argument Signed by LEAP Speakers
Excitingly, the folks running the Yes on 19 campaign in California asked three LEAP speakers to be the signatories of the initiative's official ballot argument. Check it out:
Yes on Proposition 19 Ballot Argument
PROPOSITION 19: COMMON SENSE CONTROL OF MARIJUANA
Today, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are spent enforcing the failed prohibition of marijuana (also known as “cannabis”).
Currently marijuana is easier for kids to get than alcohol, because dealers don’t require ID.
Prohibition has created a violent criminal market run by international drug cartels.
Police waste millions of taxpayer dollars targeting non-violent marijuana consumers, while thousands of violent crimes go unsolved.
And there is $14 billion in marijuana sales every year in California, but our debt-ridden state gets nothing from it.
Marijuana prohibition has failed.
WE NEED A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO CONTROL AND TAX MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL.
Proposition 19 was carefully written to get marijuana under control.
Under Proposition 19, only adults 21 and over can possess up to one ounce of marijuana, to be consumed at home or licensed establishments. Medical marijuana patients’ rights are preserved.
If we can control and tax alcohol, we can control and tax marijuana.
PUT STRICT SAFETY CONTROLS ON MARIJUANA
Proposition 19 maintains strict criminal penalties for driving under the influence, increases penalties for providing marijuana to minors, and bans smoking it in public, on school grounds, and around minors.
Proposition 19 keeps workplaces safe by preserving the right of employers to maintain a drug-free workplace.
PUT POLICE PRIORITIES WHERE THEY BELONG
According to the FBI, in 2008 over 61,000 Californians were arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession, while 60,000 violent crimes went unsolved. By ending arrests of non-violent marijuana consumers, police will save hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars a year, and be able to focus on the real threat: violent crime.
Police, Sheriffs, and Judges support Proposition 19.
HELP FIGHT THE DRUG CARTELS
Marijuana prohibition has created vicious drug cartels across our border. In 2008 alone, cartels murdered 6,290 civilians in Mexico -- more than all U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.
60 percent of drug cartel revenue comes from the illegal U.S. marijuana market.
By controlling marijuana, Proposition 19 will help cut off funding to the cartels.
GENERATE BILLIONS IN REVENUE TO FUND WHAT MATTERS
California faces historic deficits, which, if state government doesn’t balance the budget, could lead to higher taxes and fees for the public, and more cuts to vital services. Meanwhile, there is $14 billion in marijuana transactions every year in California, but we see none of the revenue that would come from taxing it.
Proposition 19 enables state and local governments to tax marijuana, so we can preserve vital services.
The State’s tax collector, the Board of Equalization, says taxing marijuana would generate $1.4 billion in annual revenue, which could fund jobs, healthcare, public safety, parks, roads, transportation, and more.
LET’S REFORM CALIFORNIA’S MARIJUANA LAWS
Outlawing marijuana hasn’t stopped 100 million Americans from trying it. But we can control it, make it harder for kids to get, weaken the cartels, focus police resources on violent crime, and generate billions in revenue and savings.
We need a common sense approach to control marijuana.
YES on 19.
www.taxcannabis.org
JOSEPH D. MCNAMARA
San Jose Police Chief (Ret.)
JAMES P. GRAY
Orange County Superior Court Judge (Ret.)
STEPHEN DOWNING
Deputy Chief, LAPD (Ret.)
Yes on Proposition 19 Ballot Argument
PROPOSITION 19: COMMON SENSE CONTROL OF MARIJUANA
Today, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are spent enforcing the failed prohibition of marijuana (also known as “cannabis”).
Currently marijuana is easier for kids to get than alcohol, because dealers don’t require ID.
Prohibition has created a violent criminal market run by international drug cartels.
Police waste millions of taxpayer dollars targeting non-violent marijuana consumers, while thousands of violent crimes go unsolved.
And there is $14 billion in marijuana sales every year in California, but our debt-ridden state gets nothing from it.
Marijuana prohibition has failed.
WE NEED A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO CONTROL AND TAX MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL.
Proposition 19 was carefully written to get marijuana under control.
Under Proposition 19, only adults 21 and over can possess up to one ounce of marijuana, to be consumed at home or licensed establishments. Medical marijuana patients’ rights are preserved.
If we can control and tax alcohol, we can control and tax marijuana.
PUT STRICT SAFETY CONTROLS ON MARIJUANA
Proposition 19 maintains strict criminal penalties for driving under the influence, increases penalties for providing marijuana to minors, and bans smoking it in public, on school grounds, and around minors.
Proposition 19 keeps workplaces safe by preserving the right of employers to maintain a drug-free workplace.
PUT POLICE PRIORITIES WHERE THEY BELONG
According to the FBI, in 2008 over 61,000 Californians were arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession, while 60,000 violent crimes went unsolved. By ending arrests of non-violent marijuana consumers, police will save hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars a year, and be able to focus on the real threat: violent crime.
Police, Sheriffs, and Judges support Proposition 19.
HELP FIGHT THE DRUG CARTELS
Marijuana prohibition has created vicious drug cartels across our border. In 2008 alone, cartels murdered 6,290 civilians in Mexico -- more than all U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.
60 percent of drug cartel revenue comes from the illegal U.S. marijuana market.
By controlling marijuana, Proposition 19 will help cut off funding to the cartels.
GENERATE BILLIONS IN REVENUE TO FUND WHAT MATTERS
California faces historic deficits, which, if state government doesn’t balance the budget, could lead to higher taxes and fees for the public, and more cuts to vital services. Meanwhile, there is $14 billion in marijuana transactions every year in California, but we see none of the revenue that would come from taxing it.
Proposition 19 enables state and local governments to tax marijuana, so we can preserve vital services.
The State’s tax collector, the Board of Equalization, says taxing marijuana would generate $1.4 billion in annual revenue, which could fund jobs, healthcare, public safety, parks, roads, transportation, and more.
LET’S REFORM CALIFORNIA’S MARIJUANA LAWS
Outlawing marijuana hasn’t stopped 100 million Americans from trying it. But we can control it, make it harder for kids to get, weaken the cartels, focus police resources on violent crime, and generate billions in revenue and savings.
We need a common sense approach to control marijuana.
YES on 19.
www.taxcannabis.org
JOSEPH D. MCNAMARA
San Jose Police Chief (Ret.)
JAMES P. GRAY
Orange County Superior Court Judge (Ret.)
STEPHEN DOWNING
Deputy Chief, LAPD (Ret.)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Press Release: Calif. Assembly Votes on Marijuana Legalization
UPDATE: The Assembly's Public Safety Committee has passed the marijuana legalization bill by a vote of 4 - 3!
Below is LEAP's press release about the historic marijuana legalization votes happening in the California Assembly this week. If you live in California, please contact your legislators in support of ending prohibition at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com/california
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Angell -- (202) 557-4979 or media //at// leap //dot// cc
Cops & Judges Support Calif. Assembly Marijuana Legalization Votes on Tuesday
Law Enforcers Say Ending Prohibition Will Improve Public Safety
On Tuesday, California state legislators will take historic votes on legalizing, regulating and taxing the sale of marijuana. A group of cops and judges who previously sent people to jail for marijuana offenses is supporting the legalization bill.
Sacramento, CA -- A group of police officers, judges and prosecutors who fought in the failed "war on drugs" is cheering this Tuesday's upcoming marijuana legalization votes in the California Assembly's Public Safety and Health committees as a sign of increasing public frustration with the harms caused by prohibition and the widespread desire for a new approach.
Judge Jim Gray, who retired last year from the California Superior Court in Orange County and is a speaker for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) said, "The mere fact that there will be votes in the Assembly to regulate and control the sale and distribution of marijuana would have been unthinkable even one year ago. And if the bill doesn't pass this year, it will soon. Or, the bill will be irrelevant because the voters will have passed the measure to regulate and tax marijuana that will be on the ballot this November."
Judge Gray testified at an informational hearing on marijuana legalization in the Assembly's Public Safety Committee last October. The video is here:
On Tuesday, January 12, the Public Safety Committee will conduct a formal hearing on Assemblyman Tom Ammiano's marijuana legalization bill, AB 390. Following the hearing the committee will vote and, if the bill is approved, there will then be a second hearing and vote in the Health Committee.
Separately, marijuana legalization advocates recently announced that they have collected enough signatures to place an initiative on the ballot this November that will allow California voters to end marijuana prohibition. Elsewhere, legislators in Washington State are also holding a hearing on marijuana legalization this week and the Rhode Island Senate is currently conducting a blue ribbon commission overview of that state's marijuana laws.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) is a 15,000-member organization representing police, prosecutors, judges, FBI/DEA agents and others from around the world who want to legalize and regulate all drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info available at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com.
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Below is LEAP's press release about the historic marijuana legalization votes happening in the California Assembly this week. If you live in California, please contact your legislators in support of ending prohibition at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com/california
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Angell -- (202) 557-4979 or media //at// leap //dot// cc
Cops & Judges Support Calif. Assembly Marijuana Legalization Votes on Tuesday
Law Enforcers Say Ending Prohibition Will Improve Public Safety
On Tuesday, California state legislators will take historic votes on legalizing, regulating and taxing the sale of marijuana. A group of cops and judges who previously sent people to jail for marijuana offenses is supporting the legalization bill.
Sacramento, CA -- A group of police officers, judges and prosecutors who fought in the failed "war on drugs" is cheering this Tuesday's upcoming marijuana legalization votes in the California Assembly's Public Safety and Health committees as a sign of increasing public frustration with the harms caused by prohibition and the widespread desire for a new approach.
Judge Jim Gray, who retired last year from the California Superior Court in Orange County and is a speaker for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) said, "The mere fact that there will be votes in the Assembly to regulate and control the sale and distribution of marijuana would have been unthinkable even one year ago. And if the bill doesn't pass this year, it will soon. Or, the bill will be irrelevant because the voters will have passed the measure to regulate and tax marijuana that will be on the ballot this November."
Judge Gray testified at an informational hearing on marijuana legalization in the Assembly's Public Safety Committee last October. The video is here:
On Tuesday, January 12, the Public Safety Committee will conduct a formal hearing on Assemblyman Tom Ammiano's marijuana legalization bill, AB 390. Following the hearing the committee will vote and, if the bill is approved, there will then be a second hearing and vote in the Health Committee.
Separately, marijuana legalization advocates recently announced that they have collected enough signatures to place an initiative on the ballot this November that will allow California voters to end marijuana prohibition. Elsewhere, legislators in Washington State are also holding a hearing on marijuana legalization this week and the Rhode Island Senate is currently conducting a blue ribbon commission overview of that state's marijuana laws.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) is a 15,000-member organization representing police, prosecutors, judges, FBI/DEA agents and others from around the world who want to legalize and regulate all drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info available at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com.
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
LEAP's Judge Jim Gray Tells NYT We Are Winning
The New York Times has a major story in Wednesday's paper about the increasing momentum of the legalization movement, particularly with respect to marijuana in California.
LEAP speaker Judge Jim Gray, who is testifying at Wednesday's California Assembly hearing on a marijuana legalization bill, is quoted in the Times piece:
LEAP speaker Judge Jim Gray, who is testifying at Wednesday's California Assembly hearing on a marijuana legalization bill, is quoted in the Times piece:
“All of us in the movement have had the feeling that we’ve been running into the wind for years,” said James P. Gray, a retired judge in Orange County who has been outspoken in support of legalization. “Now we sense we are running with the wind.”Please make sure to Digg this story so even more people see the article and learn that the legalization team is the winning team. Get on board!
Press Release: LEAP Testifies for Marijuana Legalization in Calif.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2009
CONTACT: Tom Angell - (202) 557-4979 or media@leap.cc
CALIF. SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE TO TESTIFY FOR LEGALIZING MARIJUANA
Legalization Bill Gets Historic Hearing in California Assembly on Wednesday
SACRAMENTO, CA -- A conservative California Superior Court judge from Orange County will tell legislators on Wednesday that it is time to legalize and tax marijuana after what he saw during his 26 years of sending drug offenders to jail from the bench.
"Based upon my observations, our laws of marijuana prohibition are literally putting our children in harm’s way," said Judge James P. Gray, a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), an international group of cops, judges and prosecutors who no longer believe in the drug laws they once swore to enforce. "Ask teenagers, and they will tell you the same thing that they tell me: it is easier for them to get marijuana today than it is alcohol. Why? Because today the illicit sellers of marijuana don’t ask for I.D."
WHO: Calif. Superior Court Judge James Gray, other advocates for marijuana legalization
WHAT: Hearing on AB 390, The Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act
WHEN: Wednesday, October 28; 10:00 AM PST - 1:00 PM PST
WHERE: Room 126; California State Capitol; Sacramento, CA
Judge Gray retired from the bench earlier this year. Previously, he served as a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles and in the Navy JAG Corps as a defense attorney and judge advocate. He wrote the book "Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It: A Judicial Indictment of the War on Drugs."
Also testifying at Wednesday's hearing about the benefits of legalizing marijuana will be representatives of the California Board of Equalization, the ACLU, the Drug Policy Alliance and others.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), 15,000-member organization representing police, prosecutors, judges, FBI/DEA agents and others from around the world who want to legalize and regulate all drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info online at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com.
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CONTACT: Tom Angell - (202) 557-4979 or media@leap.cc
CALIF. SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE TO TESTIFY FOR LEGALIZING MARIJUANA
Legalization Bill Gets Historic Hearing in California Assembly on Wednesday
SACRAMENTO, CA -- A conservative California Superior Court judge from Orange County will tell legislators on Wednesday that it is time to legalize and tax marijuana after what he saw during his 26 years of sending drug offenders to jail from the bench.
"Based upon my observations, our laws of marijuana prohibition are literally putting our children in harm’s way," said Judge James P. Gray, a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), an international group of cops, judges and prosecutors who no longer believe in the drug laws they once swore to enforce. "Ask teenagers, and they will tell you the same thing that they tell me: it is easier for them to get marijuana today than it is alcohol. Why? Because today the illicit sellers of marijuana don’t ask for I.D."
WHO: Calif. Superior Court Judge James Gray, other advocates for marijuana legalization
WHAT: Hearing on AB 390, The Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act
WHEN: Wednesday, October 28; 10:00 AM PST - 1:00 PM PST
WHERE: Room 126; California State Capitol; Sacramento, CA
Judge Gray retired from the bench earlier this year. Previously, he served as a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles and in the Navy JAG Corps as a defense attorney and judge advocate. He wrote the book "Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It: A Judicial Indictment of the War on Drugs."
Also testifying at Wednesday's hearing about the benefits of legalizing marijuana will be representatives of the California Board of Equalization, the ACLU, the Drug Policy Alliance and others.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), 15,000-member organization representing police, prosecutors, judges, FBI/DEA agents and others from around the world who want to legalize and regulate all drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info online at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com.
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