STATE OFFICES:
Governor: Despite being touted as the "moderate" in the race, Republican candidate Richard Riordan has distinguished himself in refusing to support California's medical marijuana law, Prop. 215. Speaking at a press conference at Cal State Long Beach, Riordan said that marijuana is illegal under federal law, and he would abide by federal law. His two opponents in the race, Bill Jones and Bill Simon, both said they would uphold the state's law on medical marijuana, whatever their private feelings on the matter. Both are otherwise conservative on law enforcement issues: Jones authored the state's Three Strikes Law, and Simon served as a tough-on-drugs prosecutor with Rudy Giuliani, who has endorsed him.
Unfortunately, Gov. Gray Davis faces no serious primary challenge despite a generally dismal record on drug reform and criminal justice issues, where he has pandered to law enforcement. Davis vetoed a bill to allow welfare benefits to drug offenders willing to undergo drug treatment, unsuccessfully tried to resurrect the notorious "smoke a joint, lose your license" law, resisted racial profiling legislation, and refused to endorse medical marijuana legislation on the grounds that it would conflict with federal law. Speaking from the other side of his mouth, Davis did sign Sen. Vasconcellos' bill to establish a state medical marijuana research program.
Lieutenant Governor: In a party that remains dominated by reactionary prohibitionists, Republican Bruce McPherson, State Senator from Santa Cruz, is a breath of fresh air. McPherson has been a consistent supporter of medical marijuana and last year sponsored the first marijuana decriminalization bill in years, a measure that would have downgraded possession of less than an ounce of marijuana from a misdemeanor to an infraction. Unfortunately, the bill failed when the Democratic leadership of the Assembly failed to support it (worried perhaps by the likelihood of embarrassing Gov. Davis), but McPherson deserves credit for trying.
Attorney General: Incumbent Democrat Bill Lockyer faces no serious opposition this year, but deserves strong credit for his steadfast support for Prop. 215. Some purists grumble that he hasn't done enough, but Lockyer has the best record of any AG in memory. Patients can be especially thankful that he turned the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement away from the patients and cannabis clubs; backed the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Coop in its lawsuit with the feds; and sought to establish rational, statewide guidelines for Prop. 215 over the opposition of the Governor. It's worth noting that the AG's office by nature brings out the conservative side of its tenant, yet it has proven a stepping stone for governors who turned out to be civil libertarians, such as Earl Warren and Pat Brown.
Insurance Commissioner: Democrat Tom Umberg has won support from the drug reform community for supporting insurance coverage of drug treatment. Umberg, a former prosecutor and state legislator, had a cautious, pro-law-enforcement voting record in the Assembly. He also worked in the Drug Czar's office, where he focused on Latin American issues.
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Let's face it, this office doesn't have much to do with drug policy. Still, it's worth noting that conservative Republican Katherine Smith of Anaheim was a grassroots leader in the drug reform movement several years ago when she worked with Judge Jim Gray and Police Chief Joe McNamara to push for the "Hoover Resolution" calling for a re-examination of the drug war. (That doesn't mean she'd be soft on drugs in the schools - she favors school uniforms!). Voters should also be aware that Republican Assemblywoman Lynne Leach has been one of the staunchest drug warriors in the legislature, consistently backing stiffer punishments and sponsoring legislation to crack down on club drugs and Ecstasy. Democrat Jack O'Connell had a mixed voting record on drug issues in the State Senate.
Drug reform has not figured as a major issue in this year's primary elections. There are relatively few close contests for Congress or legislature, due to the fact that redistricting has enhanced the power of incumbents of both parties. In a few counties, Prop. 215 has figured as a campaign issue in local races for D.A. and Sheriff.
NORTH COAST - Assembly District 01 (Sonoma - Humboldt).Democrat Ed Robey is highly supportive of marijuana and drug reform, and has been endorsed by the Sonoma Alliance for Medical Marijuana. As a Supervisor of Lake County, Robey voted against CAMP funding.
BUTTE COUNTY. Incumbent Sheriff
Scott Mackenzie brags that his office has seized the highest dollar amount
of marijuana in recent year. His opponent, Perry
Reniff accuses him of spending too much money on marijuana
eradication, and suggests that the money would be better spent on methamphetamine.
Defense Attorney Dale Rasmussen is opposing the incumbent District Attorney, Mike Ramsey, on a platform that promises a better deal for Prop. 215 patients.
CALAVERAS COUNTY. In the Sheriff's race, medical marijuana supporters are backing Bill Kaiser over the incumbent, Sheriff Downum, who has gone out of his way to harass Prop. 215 patients. They like the incumbent D.A., Jeff Tuttle, who has rightly declined to prosecute many of Downum's victims.
EL DORADO COUNTY. Defense Attorney Dale Schafer is running on a pro-215 platform for district attorney against incumbent Gary Lacy and his deputy, Erik Schlueter. Schafer and his wife, Dr. Marion Fry, are co-directors of a medical cannabis clinic which was raided by the DEA, and are currently fighting a federal investigation aimed at shutting their operation.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY. Pot supporters are hoping to oust Sheriff Dennis Lewis, who has been the bane of the marijuana community. Lewis views marijuana as the gateway to heroin addiction and has given his narcotics unit the green light to bust Prop 215 growers. His opponent, Gary Philp, has been reticent to criticize Lewis' policies, but civil libertarians figure that he could only be an improvement.
In the DA's race, Paul Gallegos is opposing incumbent Terry Farmer on a platform that includes more generous medical marijuana guidelines and greater respect for civil liberties. Farmer has been cautious on Prop. 215, keeping tight limits on cultivation but respecting use by the seriously ill.
MARIN/SONOMA Congressional District 06. Incumbent Democrat Rep. Lynn Woolsey deserves solid credit for co-sponsoring Barney Frank's medical marijuana bill and being a strong supporter of civil liberties. Local activists also like her opponent, Mike Martini of Santa Rosa, who has gone out of his way to endorse medical marijuana.
OAKLAND - City Council Dist. 6. Candidate Desley Brooks promises to continue the tradition of her predecessor in this seat, Sup. Nate Miley, in strong support of the city's medical cannabis ordinance. Incumbent Moses Mayne, who was appointed to fill Miley's vacancy, has been a disappointment, flip-flopping to back a measure by Councilman De La Fuente lowering the city's medical cannabis guideline.
Oakland City Council Dist. 4: Candidate David Stein's support for medical cannabis comes from personal experience. His late wife, who died of cancer, used it to assuage her illness.
SAN FRANCISCO - Assembly District 13. Prop 215 supporters are backing Supervisor Mark Leno in the Democratic primary because he spearheaded efforts to declare S.F. a medical marijuana sanctuary and to establish a confidential patient ID program.
SONOMA COUNTY. The Sonoma Alliance for Medical Marijuana strongly recommends Ed Robey for Assemblyman. They also recommend Ray Peterson for District 2 Supervisor and Fred Euphrat for District 4 Supervisor. In the DA's race, they have positive views towards both candidates. They credit incumbent Mike Mullins for working with them to develop Sonoma's exemplary Prop 215 cultivation guidelines; they also like what they hear from his challenger, Stephan Passalacqua.