Proposition 19 campaign will run TV ad in Los Angeles area

The campaign to pass Proposition 19, the measure to legalize marijuana in California, will hit television sets in the Los Angeles area Tuesday with a commercial that features retired San Jose Police Chief Joseph D. McNamara endorsing the initiative.

The ad is the first that the Yes on 19 campaign has put on television. Dan Newman, a spokesman, said the campaign will spend $170,000 to run it on cable channels through election day and hopes to raise money to air it more frequently and in other markets.

"We started with a modest buy and are increasing every moment as the supporters chip in to make sure people get the message," he said.

In the 30-second spot, McNamara, wearing a suit jacket and tie, speaks directly to the camera and says his 35 years in law enforcement have convinced him that the war on marijuana has failed.

"Today, it's easier for a teenager to buy pot than beer," he says. "Proposition 19 will tax and control marijuana just like alcohol. It will generate billions of dollars for local communities, allow police to focus on violent crimes and put drug cartels out of business."

The ad scrolls through a list of endorsements from people in law enforcement. "Join me and many others in law enforcement. Vote yes on Proposition 19," McNamara concludes.

In an e-mail to supporters, Richard Lee, the Oakland medical marijuana entrepreneur who is the initiative’s main proponent, said the campaign needs to raise $100,000 by Wednesday to keep the ad on the air through Nov. 2, when Californians go to the polls. "You've come through every time in the past, and now I need your support one more time," he wrote.

Roger Salazar, a spokesman for the No on 19 campaign, dismissed the amount the campaign is spending on the ad as insignificant. "That’s just throwing money away. That’s fantastic," he said.

But Newman said the campaign wants to reach the narrow slice of voters who have not made up their minds and could make the difference. "Every vote counts," he said. "By all measures, this thing seems to hang in the balance with very few undecided."

The No on 19 campaign is not on the air, but the California Chamber of Commerce is spending $250,000 on radio ads to try to defeat Proposition 19, saying the measure "is worded so broadly that it would hurt California’s economy, raise business costs and make it harder to create jobs." The 60-second ads started Friday in Los Angeles and Saturday in San Diego.

Newman said the campaign chose McNamara, a fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, to deliver its message because he is a veteran police officer who was both a beat cop in New York City and a police chief in San Jose. "He has impeccable authority and is someone who can speak from firsthand knowledge," he said.

The Yes on 19 campaign touts endorsements from the National Black Police Assn. and 48 law enforcement veterans, most of them retired. Salazar noted that every California law enforcement organization that has gotten involved in the issue has endorsed the No on 19 campaign, which has raised much of its money from these same organizations.

Newman said Los Angeles area viewers would be able to see the ad on a number of cable networks, including CNN, CNBC, Headline News and MSNBC. More than a quarter of the state's voters live in Los Angeles County.

Proposition 19 would allow adults 21 and older to devote up to 25 square feet of space to growing marijuana and possess up to an ounce of it; let cities and counties decide whether to authorize commercial cultivation and retail sales; and impose taxes.

Salazar took issue with the ad, saying Proposition 19 would not control marijuana like alcohol, which is subject to state regulation. He also said there are no estimates that show the initiative could raise billions of dollars n taxes and no experts who say it would put drug cartels out of business.

Newman compared the measure to the repeal of alcohol prohibition, which led to new tax revenue and sidelined drug-running gangs. "You no longer see beer cartels sneaking over the border with six packs or shoot-outs in Napa Valley over the grape harvest," he said.

He said the exact amount of taxes the measure might raise is irrevelant. "The only question is whether Prop. 19 would generate massive or merely extremely significant revenue," he said.

-- John Hoeffel

Comments

[Ben Smokes Pot]

I would like to point out to the readers how out of touch with reality the No on 19 campaign is, including its mighty leader, Roger Salazar. He is quoted in this article as saying: "That’s just throwing money away. That’s fantastic," ! LOL He thinks television advertising, which btw is gonna cost $170,000 A DAY, is a waste of money. LOL Surely TV advertising doesn't work. That's why nobody uses it, and that's why its in such low demand, its cheap. (oh wait) Roger Salazar, you are delusional. Congratulations. It takes people like you to keep something so stupid as prohibition going. It doesn't work. Get over it.

[Jack]

Well at least we now know that there's a lot of questionable money behind the marijuana advocates. Those in the 'No on 19' camp are not as well funded, the Mexican Drug Cartels are not funding us because they see '19' as a monster money making proposition. Let's face it, if organized crime didn't want Prop 19 to pass, they would find some way to fund opposition, but there's none. All we can do is produce YouTube videos like this: http://tinyurl.com/VoteNoOn19

[Kevin]

Is there anybody who doesn't already know about Prop. 19? I mean, that's the reason one would advertise - to increase public awareness of the proposition. That has been accomplished for free. The only reason to advertise is to counter the absolute lies and distortions that the No side promulgates.

I can't wait to see their red faces next Tuesday night! YES on 19!

[Kristin Dutra]

Yea. since the war on drugs/marijuana in 1963 how much has the government spent? over 400 billion dollars. V.S. making that much in about 5 -10 years, yea that totally makes sense.

[claygooding]

Mr Salazaar and the No on Prop 19 group apparently have not read the initiative nor paid any attention to the recent hearing where the legislature was informed that yes,they can set limits and guidelines on city regulations,and that the state could set limits on taxes,licenses and fees.

[DrClue]

“Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.”-Thomas Jefferson

“It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of
his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.”-George Washington

Truly PROP 19 is more inline with the thoughts of our country's founding fathers than the thoughts of those who would support prohibition.

I look forward to being able to goto the store in broad daylight, and pick up a package whose weight is verified by the department of weights and measures, and whose content can be certified to be that declared on the package.

Prop 19 is certainly a step toward that end.

I look forward to a return of the hemp industry and not only the jobs that would provide, but the many products produced here in the USA. Once again we would have quality products to export that themselves were made out of something besides war torn oil.

Perhaps we will see some tax revenues , although I would have no idea what that amount might actually be, but at a minimum there would be the tens of millions of dollars we spend on prohibition to put towards something more productive and constructive.

Since indeed I would be able to purchase the product in a licensed retail establishment , it would be one less thing for the underworld to sling bullets and mayhem over, as long as the taxation was not too severe.

Will PROP 19 pass ? Hard to tell. If those in various on-line forums across the state were a measure of those who took the time to register and vote , I would say it passes handily, but that casual observation like conclusions of polls would be as variable in accuracy as a Vegas bet.

In a week we will know if legalization is to occur this time around or must wait yet a bit more. Either way , legalization will happen in my time.

[cshargeit]

all of meg whitmans billions and all of carly f's guilt shall not keep the truth from the people. phone tap me, viddie me from afar, use your best spies, use your best mind control.... all you can do is throw the election with mindless malicious mischief--- and i totally expect this.

[Frank]

If anyone wants to see the true face of the potheads behind 19, go to the Rules and Election Committee meeting at City Hall today at 3pm (room 340).

You will see the same people who advocate for 19 based on "all the tax revenue that will be brought in for our schools!" having absolute conniption fits and squealing like stuck pigs as the LA City Council discusses putting a pot tax proposal on the March 2011 ballot.

If you can make it, it's a great demonstration of the duplicity of this "movement", and, sister, it's only just begun...

[jack]

roger salazar is a political strategist for hire and a scumbag...who cares.

YES ON 19!!!

[Leonard Krivitsky, MD]

Cannabis should never have been made illegal to begin with. It has been used as a medicinal plant and as a recreational substance since time immemorial. Cannabis is not physically addictive, as its use does not lead to the development of a physical withdrawal syndrome. The so-called "gateway drug" theory has been completely discredited as invalid, and declared "half-baked" by a recent large study. At the same time it is an accepted scientific fact that Cannabis use suppresses violent behavior, which I believe is very important from the public safety point of view. It is also being proven that Cannabis may serve as an "exit" substance for recovering alcoholics/hard drug/prescription drug abusers, which has a potential of alleviating the Nation's drug and alcohol problem. In addition to being very useful in treating many conditions, Cannabis may even have a preventative value for such devastating illnesses as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. YES to Prop. 19!

[The Real Deal]

I am LOVING IT!!!!!
Yes on 19 baby, lets let freedom ring with our vote. Let's do this Cali, we can be the start of a much needed change in our country. Lets lead the way for others to follow.
Yes on 19, Yes on the peoples choice/vote!

[Storm Crow]

Why would any sane person vote against freer access to a safe medicinal herb that can inspire WebMD to publish articles like these?

"Marijuana Ingredients Slow Invasion by Cervical and Lung Cancer Cells"

"Marijuana's Active Ingredient Targets Deadly Brain Cancer"

"Marijuana Ingredient May Cut Fibromyalgia Pain"

"Marijuana Chemical Fights Hardened Arteries"

"Chemicals in Marijuana May Fight MRSA"

"Pot-Based Drug Promising for Arthritis"

"Cannabis May Help Multiple Sclerosis"

"Marijuana May Fight Lung Tumors"

"Marijuana May Slow Alzheimer's"

"Marijuana Smoking Doesn't Kill"

I hope those titles make you wonder just WHY is cannabis illegal? Why aren't we researching it more? Just for the right to grow your own free medicine , Proposition 19 should pass!

For more information on what cannabis can do medically, run a search for "Granny Storm Crow's MMJ Reference List". The list is a free online resource for everyone wanting to learn more about cannabis. Educate yourself!

[Van Kush]

I think it's time for a change. Here's a quote from our greatest leader.

Abraham Lincoln writes, "Prohibition... goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes... A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded."

You can find more info and history of hemp at historyofhemp.org

Vote Yes on 19. There are already laws preventing intoxicating drivers from taking to the streets and there are clauses to prosecute adults who give/sell marijuana to minors. The naysayers are shaking in their boots in fear of when this law passes. Remember people to vote so your voice can be heard and we can make history in the state of California!

[Non-Pot Smoker]

Any takeers on how fast cities and counties will begin the process of "re-prohibition", once 19 passes on Tuesday? I already VOTED YES on 19, but realize that part 2 of the battle will come at the LOCAL LEVELS (all 500 of them!) after next Tuesday!

[Zarly]

I support Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Reduce harm by getting organized crime out of the business and reduce harm through education. Reduce harm is the message, prohibition has created many Al Capones over cannabis. A vote against Prop 19 is a vote for organized crime. Legalize it, regulate it, tax it. Reduce harm and Vote YES to Prop 19. Check out the opinions of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, leap.cc . Vote Yes.