L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca says deputies would enforce marijuana laws even if Prop. 19 passes
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said Friday his deputies’ marijuana enforcement would not change even if Proposition 19, which would legalize the drug in California, passes Nov. 2.
“Proposition 19 is not going to pass, even if it passes,” Baca said in a news conference Friday at sheriff's headquarters in Monterey Park.
Baca, whose department polices three-fourths of the county, was bolstered Friday by an announcement from the Obama administration that federal officials would continue to “vigorously enforce” marijuana laws in California, even if state voters pass the measure.
Baca said the proposition was superseded by federal law and if passed, would be found unconstitutional.
Campaign contributions: Who has given for and against Prop. 19?
Flanked by other opponents of the measure, including Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley, Baca made a colorful assault on marijuana use and sales. Asked if he had ever experimented with the drug, Baca was unequivocal. “Hell no,” he said.
California’s laws for personal users already are lenient, he said.
“If you have a need for an ounce or less … then use your marijuana, but use it privately,” he said. “If you want to do a joint in your house, do it. Leave the rest of us alone.”
Baca said personal users smoking in their homes were already a non-priority for police agencies, including his own. His department’s target, he said, are the dealers.
Baca came out against the measure early on, joining forces with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to try to defeat it. Polls have shown California voters are split.
Baca said Friday local law enforcement agencies should abide by federal drug laws prohibiting marijuana even if the state measure passes.
“[Prop.] 19 has no effect on what we’re going to do,” he said
-- Robert Faturechi in Monterey Park
Photo: L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca. Credit: Los Angeles Times
Read more:
Proposition 19: California's marijuana legalization debate
EDITOR'S PICKS:
If the sheriff shows such contempt for the will of the people, he should be removed and charged with failure to abide by his oath of office.
Posted by: ERIK M. ASHER | October 27, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Almost everyone knows these Los Angeles police officers act as though they are above the law.
I bet half of them would fail a drug test if you stopped them from tampering with their test sample. For example, prohibit them from scooping up toilet water in their urine container.
Maybe we could start doing citizens arrest on any police officer who violates the law.
Better yet, they can move to Mexico and join its corrupt police force.
Posted by: Jose | October 30, 2010 at 05:54 AM
Did anyone ever consider maybe this is how marijuana was made illegal in the first place? No discussion or public debate, just a pronouncement by the chief law enforcement officer that from now on you would go to jail for possession or for growing it.
The medical justification for such a decision would be provided by the likes of a Dr. Richared P. Perry D.C., above, a person who cannot even spell, gets the facts completely wrong, and as a "doctor" warns of dire consequences if such a drug was not banned. Quite the farce all around woudn't you agree?
Proposition 19 would restore some degree of sanity and perhaps force drug authorities in Washington to reconsider their position under the glare of the bright light from California.
Posted by: expostie | October 31, 2010 at 08:34 PM
What is strange is that we have policing agencies that state what laws they will and will not enforce. For example, Pasadena Humane Society's Field Supervisor believes there is no mandate for enforcing the city's dog leash ordinance. He states that it's a "civil matter".
So if you are in Pasadena and you have a prescirtion for Medical Marijuana, you could go to jail.....But you won't have to worry about a citation if your unleashed dog attacks and damages a $75,000.00 automobile.
Now there's a story for ya!!!!
Posted by: J. Thomas | January 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM