Lawyers To Battle For Council Seat
Blatz, Klaif qualify for June special election as Corbin
falls one qualifying signature short on filing deadline
By Daryl Kelley
Two Ojai lawyers involved with community groups for years have applied to fill a seat on the City Council vacated in December when veteran Councilman Joe DeVito retired. Both are critical of current city leadership.
But a professional actor and teacher who also submitted nomination papers on Friday fell one signature short of the required 20 eligible voters, and did not qualify for the June 8 election.
A split City Council voted in January to fill the last few months of DeVito’s term through a special election, instead of appointing a temporary replacement to serve until the fall general election.
Now, two candidates have qualified for the June ballot: Leonard Klaif, 61, who specializes in criminal appeals, and Paul Blatz, 58, who is primarily a business lawyer.
But actor Demitri Corbin, 49, a city arts commissioner, was notified by City Clerk Carlon Strobel on Tuesday that only 19 of his signatures qualified.
“So I won’t be a candidate,” Corbin said. “I’m surprised and still a little bit shocked.”
Corbin said he submitted 26 or 27 signatures, but apparently some of those who signed in support of Corbin did not live inside city boundaries.
“But there’s still an election in November,” Corbin said, “and I’m going to run.”
In addition to DeVito’s seat, two other council positions will be on the November ballot.
Klaif and Blatz have run for City Council before, and Klaif narrowly missed being elected in 2006. It would have been Corbin’s first run for council.
Blatz, a 26-year resident of Ojai, has served on both the city’s Redevelopment Commission and the Planning Commission, of which he was chairman.
Klaif, who has lived in Ojai for 17 years, is a trustee of the Ojai Art Center, and was president of that board for five years.
Klaif and Blatz said they are running to preserve the small-town qualities that attracted them to Ojai in the first place. And in interviews, they both criticized current city leadership.
“I’ve been watching and attending City Council meetings for all of the 17 years I’ve been in Ojai,” said Klaif, who has been endorsed by former Mayor Suza Francina. “Ojai is incredible, unique. And I think I can help preserve that small-town charm. The quality of the arts is top-notch.”
And he added: “The biggest issue, because it really encompasses everything, is leadership.”
Blatz, a former professional sports agent, said his goal is also preserving the charms of this bucolic community.
“I grew up in a 1,500-person community in Connecticut,” Blatz said. “Ojai has all of the small-town qualities I was used to. But it seems like the city is lacking leadership. It seems tired. It’s an attitude. It seems like the people at City Hall, that we’re there for them rather than they’re there for us.”
The candidates have nearly three months to sway city voters. Neither anticipated spending a lot of money to make his case.
Klaif, who frequently speaks at City Council meetings, missed winning a council seat by 76 votes in 2006. And this time, he has campaigned aggressively, lobbying for an appointment to replace DeVito by placing an advertisement in the OVN while gaining the signatures of about 200 supporters.
Now, in kicking off his spring campaign, Klaif said Monday that he will bring to the council a zeal to get things done.
“How is it possible that we still do not have a permanent Skate Park?” he said. “Why is the public access cable channel without programming? Why do we not have a visible Visitor’s Center? Why is City Hall’s roof covered with a tarp? Why did the bicycle racks purchased by the city sit in storage for years? Why don’t we have a bike plan in place? A major part of the answer is lack of leadership, passion and commitment from the City Council.”
Klaif said that as president of the Ojai Art Center board, he led a renovation campaign and enlisted the city’s support in finally linking the center to Libbey Park with a foot bridge, an improvement planned since 1937.
Klaif stressed his history of taking staunch positions against projects that could erode Ojai’s small-town allure, “our villageness.”
He said he has attended an anti-chain store conference in Massachusetts, spoke against a permit for gravel trucks in Santa Maria, and argued against a cell phone company’s proposal to build 60-foot towers that would have marred views of Ojai Valley residents.
“I regularly attend City Council meetings, speaking clearly, emphatically, passionately, and occasionally caustically, in support of ‘small town’ in what is essentially a battle with ‘big money,’” Klaif said.
If elected, Klaif said he would also be a champion of the burgeoning “green” movement in the Ojai Valley. “The city should better utilize the expertise available from individuals and groups such as the Ojai Valley Green Coalition,” he said.
Klaif is also is a supporter of Theater 150 and the Ojai Film Society.
Blatz, who lost in council runs in 1996 and 2002, stressed his experience within government as an appointed city redevelopment commissioner for two years and planning commissioner for nine.
As a commissioner, “I learned what it takes to address and resolve important issues,” he said.
“I am acutely aware that what we cherish most about living in our beautiful valley could be easily lost without leadership on our City Council focused on protecting our village character and quality of life,” he wrote in his candidate statement.
“We must maintain the proper balance between our environmental and economic interests and appreciate and preserve our history in order to safeguard our future and achieve sustainability.”
Blatz said he is particularly bothered by the “eyesores” that dot Ojai’s main street —- two vacant gas stations and the old bowling alley.
“They’re right in the heart of our city,” he said. “Maybe the city code should be reworked” so officials can force improvements faster, he said.
Blatz said he would also like the council to focus on the escalating rates charged by Golden State Water Company to Ojai residents. “This is going to be a terrible burden on our citizens.”
Blatz cited his efforts with several local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Land Conservancy, Rotary Club, Pergola Committee and Performing Arts Theater Foundation.
“As a member of the Ojai community for 26 years,” Blatz said, “I’ve worked with these Ojai organizations to make Ojai the best possible community it can be.”
Remember the good old days when Johnny Carson read the Ojai Police Blotter on the Tonight Show?
Can you imagine the fun he’d have with these two headlines right next to each other on the OVN homepage?
• Janitor, Kids Allegedly Smoke Pot On Campus • Drop Off Old Drugs At Ojai PD
Dear Compassionate Larry,
Yes, I remember. I’m practicing my debating skills.
But I hear you! Thanks, again.
Dear drug-free in Ojai,
Yes, that’s true.
And if I ever run for office again the “other side” can click their heels with glee and run over here and quote me out of cotext.
Dear Anon. 6.
Yes, I must not be so hasty pushing that “Submit Comment” button. The truth is that my laptop keybord sticks and almst very word you ead hee has letters missing see ow bad it looks when I don’t go back and fix…
Got a new keyboard that I think I can hook up to my laptop but gotta figure out how to program it –then no more typos.
And yes, Anon. 5, came up and shook my hand at the meeting.
What is wrong with me? I hear a disconnected voice in my head going where is Anon.5?? Well, no matter. Back to my nice conversation with EFG here at the library. She’s topless today.
Suza,
Try to proofread before publishing. That way every comment is not followed by another comment cleaning up errors.
By the way, did you see Anon.5 at the meeting?
Anon.6
Suza you serve as a voice for Mr. Klaif, which could be helpful to his campaign because you can say things he can’t.
Suza , remember what I said about pouring yourself into this blog? Somebody is getting something out of this conversation but it sure isn’t you! Unless you enjoy being frustrated and in going nowhere.
Suza The battle on alcohol and cigarettes is not the issue at hand try to stay focused. And no I wouldn’t mind making that sacrifice to give up my very occasional beer to better the future of the community.
Although AB 390 is written to legalize marijuana and create a tax to boost California’s economy, it is not written to provide a marijuana free-for-all. Ammiano did add a few stipulations in the bill in order to address these concerns:
• First, you will have to buy a license to grow and distribute cannabis for an initial first-time fee of no more than $5,000 and a yearly renewal of no more that $2,500.
• Cannabis may not be consumed on the premises of where it is grown or sold.
• Growers must provide adequate security.
• All employees must undergo criminal background checks.
Jack Nelsen, an agent for Humboldt County’s Drug Task Force, doesn’t see how you can legalize cannabis and tax it in California when it will remain illegal at the federal level. He said most of the cannabis grown in Humboldt goes to Southern California, or even out of state. Because it will still be illegal in every other state a black market will still exist, explained Nelsen.
“To legalize it here would open the floodgates,” he said, adding that he would be “shocked” to see any number of growers pay the tax required to grow and distribute.
It will never be legalized by the government or other states and the transportation to other states is not going to open a can of worms it’s opening a bag of snakes.
I left out the word “the” in this sentence:
With THE case you have made to continue the Prohibition of marijuana, are you also in favor of the Prohibition of alcohol and tobacco?
Whatever, I read and respect your views. I appreciate the time you are putting into this to have an intelligent conversation. I also agree that Rick Raine ( and others) made a valid point. I share the concerns that were raised over the downside of legalizing marijuana and assure you that I am familiar with both sides of the issue.
With case you have made to continue the Prohibition of marijuana, are you also in favor of the Prohibition of alcohol and tobacco?
I have asked this question before in so many ways, but you did not respond.
I also questioned the logic why the medical associations you cited would argue that seeing adults smoke marijuana would have a bad influence on young people when this same argument holds true for tobacco alcohol and other legal drugs.
AB 390- stupid is as stupid does- Mr. Ammiano
Ammiano was quoted as saying “With the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense”.
Is that statement true? Of course not. The word “regulation” implies that marijuana use will somehow be controlled, but that is simply not the case. As children/teens are able to gain access to alcohol, they will also be able to gain access to marijuana. Drug legalization advocates know this, yet they continue to purposely deceive the public. Alcohol is regulated, has it’s regulation reduced drunk driving rates? Has it’s regulation reduced the availability of alcohol to teens? Has it’s regulation decreased costs associated with alcohol related diseases? Has it stopped drunk driving? We already know that alcohol regulation does not keep alcohol out of the hands of teens, and marijuana legalization wont either.
Legalization also will not eliminate drug profits. The players will change from drug traffickers, to legitimate business people, who’s primary goal will be, as most businesses do, to promote their product. Legalizers will then hire attorney’s and lobbyists, to further their marketing campaigns and will seek to reduce government regulation
It is not surprising to me that Ammiano would use California’s budget woes to further his own agenda. After all that’s what snake oil salesmen do, they prey on the vulnerabilities and the first sign of weakness. Ammiano is counting on the notion that Californian’s will buy into the idea that marijuana legalization is a way out of our budget woes. That is simply not true. As availability of marijuana increases so will addiction and crime.
According to Ammiano marijuana legalization will provide 1.3 billion in tax revenue. How will that be possible? He maintains that legalization will dramatically drop the price of marijuana, if that‘s true, how will we collect 1.3 billion in taxes? We must remember when faced with the possibility of purchasing drugs at a pharmacy, or having them delivered tax free, many will choose the later. Some people are not going to want to jeopardize their reputations, their careers, or their social standing by walking into a store to purchase marijuana. In small towns and beyond word of mouth goes a long way. Drug use is and shall remain to be socially unacceptable behavior.
What Ammiano is not going to discuss is the actual cost associated with drug use, health care costs associated with drug use were projected to be 16 billion in 2002, growing annually at 4.1 percent. Lost productivity is factored in at 128 billion combined with the overall costs of drug use at another whopping 180 billion. Let’s not leave out criminal justice and victim costs at another 36.4 billion, and crime costs are a staggering 107 billion. Of course he’s not going to discuss it publicly! In 2002, the amount of money spent on drug control was less than 19 billion. Read my lips… 19 billion, less than (3) percent of the entire US budget. If we break down the 19 billion spent the money was used for education, treatment, prevention and enforcement. The US Drug Enforcement Administration was only given 1.6 billion, an amount President Obama spends every other day in Iraq. In contrast, 11 percent of the US budget is spent on interest on the national debt. Cost projections on the effects of drug use, is around 300 billion dollars annually, and growing.
Ammiano was also quoted as saying that marijuana legalization will effectively shut down cartels, by removing their ability to profit, but if legalization was a direct threat to a cartels financial fortune, wouldn’t they be investing big money into anti drug efforts, trying to stop pro drug advocates? Yet, that is not the case and cartels continue unaffected by legalization efforts, another factor Ammiano wont discuss is, the black market. Because drug legalization would limit availability to those over 18, a black market will target anyone under 18. We can expect this market to target our children specifically. There’s no question that a black market can and will sell marijuana less expensively. That’s the purpose of a black market. If we place a tariff on imported drugs, which happened in the twentieth century, when opiates were legal. Much of the opiates came from China, and lawmakers placed a tariff on the drug as a means to raise revenue. Between 1866 and 1914, the duty on ready to smoke opium was 97 percent. While it did create income it also created smuggling rings, to avoid paying the tariff. Much more was smuggled in than went through the “legal” channels, and we can thereby make the connection that tax can and does create a black market.
Also, legalizers fail to understand that cartels not only deal in marijuana, but they also traffic in human beings and many other criminal endeavors. Cartels are ruthless killers, who will do whatever they have to, to keep their criminal empires in tact. With legalization, we open the door for Cartels to target legitimate pharmacy’s. Let’s not make the mistake of underestimating what a cartel will do, or who they are willing to target. Are you willing to put every Pharmacist in the country in jeopardy? Ammiano is.
Drug legalization advocates often say that if marijuana is legalized, it will “free up” law enforcement to go after “real” crime but, 85 to 90 of our crime is attributable to drug use. Auto theft, identity theft, burglary, home invasion robberies, rape and murder. I guess those crimes aren’t considered “real” crime to Ammiano. So what is Ammiano’s definition of “real” crime, I would love to hear it.
AB-390 contradicts everything that we the people have worked hard to achieve, such as providing a safe and sane environment to raise our children, and laws to maintain order, AB-390 is a direct threat to all law abiding citizens.
I am so sick and tired of far left loons from San Francisco attempting to dictate policy to rest of the state. Who do they think they are? I think it’s time we send a message to San Francisco-stupid is as stupid does- even Forest Gump knew that. Try selling crazy somewhere else, we’re not in the market for any here.
I need to add something… I mentioned special needs, there are people in our society that have special needs. Wheelchairs, blind, learnning issabillities, ect. Most wish to be productive citezens and they do have the right for accomidations to achieve their goals. Yet according the the ADD act as long as it todon’t hammper others in a prolonged manner. This is why their are special needs classes ans so forth, not to effect the majority of the students.
I am happy to accomidate anyone, as long as they have a goal and persistance to better themselves. And I know who they are, the one’s that appologise when it seems to them they have to be treated special and are self concience of it. They deserve the accomadation.
Instead of the one’s high, drunk and demand you feel sorry for them and help them, ” Because a had a BooBoo and I don’t need to do anything about my plight. But you need to…”
Rick Raine makes a great point, and also brings up a good issue, self medicate. The main issue in that is choice, youi have a choice to seek a viable way to solve your problem, or hide from it. To be honest I did smoke pot when I was younger and wished I never did. I could have been doing better things with my time that was constructive for my life. Alcohol and pot, and other legal drugs and addictions are good escapes. But then again it is a choice, a choice of a life style. Whatever life style you choose is yuor choice, but it should no effect or take away from someone elses.
The main problem is FREEDOM, we have to much of it! I think it may have been Patrick Henery that said, ” Freedom is licence”, And I agree. I don’t believe in freedom, but Liberty. The difference, liberty gives you the right to do what you wish as long as it is responsible, does not affect, depribe,or hinders another’s or their right to the persute of happieness. Freedom on the other hand is licence. That’s why you need so many lawyers, ACLU, LAWS,AND RESTRICTIONS telling you how to live what to think or not to, and what to belive in. The Pleage pf Allegience is classic, many still wish to abolish it out of the schools because of the word “G” because this MINORITY doesn’t like it. But they have the power of Lawyers and the ACLU to fight. I think it is also the word,” LIBERTY” in it, these people hate the concept of liberty like many socialist doo.
This is their choice, but why should a few have the power to affect the many? Silly but perfect example would be, it is 20 degrees outside and there are 100 people in the room, in the room it is 75 degrees. One of the people has sweaters ,coats, and blankets on and demands to have the heat off and open the windows because they are hot. They won’t take their coverings off because it keeps them secure and makes them feel safe. What would Liberty consider? Well Freedom would bring in a Lawyer, and or the ACLU, and demand the heat off and the windows open because this individual has a “Special” need. Also you would be directed to do the same as them and cover yourelf if yoiur cold. This would also help you learn compassion towards others they would instruct you in.
This is the problem you know what right and wrong is and should not have to be told what is and how to live your life, but too many of you have been sold down the road of freedom and licience, and having a sense of ” Intitlement”
This custodian and kids knew what they were doing, but it was their choice to do so. Because they believe in freedom, and they are ledgens in their own minds.
I went to the Candidate Forum tonight and was hoping to meet Whatever, Ojai Guy, Local Bonnie, Nature Boy, White Tribe Activist, Boris Lolabrigita, 50 Year Resident, O-Tay, Compassionate Larry, Rick Raine, Law and Order, Just a Kid, Just an Adult, Agreed, Ojai Observer, Blog Observer, Blob Observer and all the Anonymouses…and possibly even AMry and Libbey Park Bum … anyhoo, the Ojai Democratic Club video taped the event…watch for it on UTube…
“Suza wins the Marijuana debate” and proceeds to light up a blount to celebrate!
Suza wins Marijuana debate.
From the Department of Health and Human Services:
Tips for Teens!
Among high school students, current use — defined as use within the last 30 days — is now higher for marijuana than for cigarettes. According to the CDC, 21.9 percent of teens reported smoking cigarettes within the last month, while 22.4 percent smoked marijuana
For marijuana, despite a marginal, statistically insignificant decrease last year, the long-term trend has been heading in the opposite direction. Past-month marijuana use has risen nearly five percentage points since 1993, when it was just 17.7 percent. Even more alarming, the number of kids smoking marijuana before age 13 went up from 6.9 percent in 1993 to 9.9 percent last year
Why is teen cigarette smoking dropping so impressively, while marijuana use remains essentially stuck at high levels?
Two words: “We Card
That tells us right there that the folks that want marijuana legalized are not responsible enough to be entitled such a privilage.
Marijuana affects your brain. THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) affects the nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed.
Marijuana affects your self-control. Marijuana can seriously affect your sense of time and your coordination, impacting things like driving. In 2002, nearly 120,000 people were admitted to emergency rooms suffering from marijuana-related problems, an increase of more than 139 percent since 1995.1
Marijuana affects your lungs. There are more than 400 known chemicals in marijuana. A single joint contains four times as much cancer-causing tar as a filtered cigarette.2
Marijuana affects other aspects of your health. Marijuana can limit your body’s ability to fight off infection.3 Long-term marijuana use can even increase the risk of developing certain mental illnesses.4
Marijuana is not always what it seems. Marijuana can be laced with other dangerous drugs without your knowledge. “Blunts”–hollowed-out cigars filled with marijuana–sometimes have substances such as crack cocaine, PCP, or embalming fluid added.
Marijuana can be addictive. Not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, but some users do develop signs of dependence. In 1999, more than 220,000 people entered drug treatment programs to kick their marijuana habit.
I hope Paul Blatz and Lenny Klaif put an end to pesticide drift here in the Ojai Valley and deny any
further permission for illegals to do it (arundo control
and eradication).
“All Illicit Drug Use, Direct and Indirect 17,000″
I can agree that it’s quite a task to OD by smoking pot, but I’m willing to stick my neck out and say that a high percentage of these deceased were chronic pot smokers.
About 1/3 of the homeless that I know smoke pot, and the same are alcoholics as well. Abuse of both drugs are only symptoms of the deeper, underlying problems they can’t or don’t want to deal with, be it mental or emotional illness, so they self medicate.
Most started drinking and smoking pot while in high school, which is also the highest grade they completed.
I rest my case.
Suza those stats are 10 years old.
Thses are more recent:
Deaths and Mortality
(Data are for the U.S.)2009
•Number of deaths: 2,426,264
•Death rate: 810.4 deaths per 100,000 population
•Life expectancy: 77.7years
•Infant Mortality rate: 6.69 deaths per 1,000 live births
Number of deaths for leading causes of death:
•Heart disease: 631,636
•Cancer: 559,888
•Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 137,119
•Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 124,583
•Accidents (unintentional injuries): 121,599
•Diabetes: 72,449
•Alzheimer’s disease: 72,432
•Influenza and Pneumonia: 56,326
•Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 45,344
•Septicemia: 34,234
now add these to the top stats.
•5% of all deaths from diseases of the circulatory system are attributed to alcohol.
•15% of all deaths from diseases of the respiratory system are attributed to alcohol.
•30% of all deaths from accidents caused by fire and flames are attributed to alcohol.
•30% of all accidental drownings are attributed to alcohol.
•30% of all suicides are attributed to alcohol.
•40% of all deaths due to accidental falls are attributed to alcohol.
•45% of all deaths in automobile accidents are attributed to alcohol.
•60% of all homicides are attributed to alcohol.
Did you know that marijuana use is also associated with delinquent behaviors? A study of teen marijuana use and behavior in 2002 concluded that the more pot teens used, the higher the rates of serious fighting at school or work. There was a strong correlation between marijuana use and attempts to steal, attacks on others, group against group fighting and handgun possession. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health report, January 9, 2004).
One in six (15%) teens reported driving under the influence of marijuana, a number nearly equivalent to those who reported driving under the influence of alcohol (16%). A recent study from a large shock trauma unit found that 19 percent of automobile crash victims under age 18 tested positive for marijuana.
Studies show that accident odds increase significantly when the THC concentration of smoked marijuana is 5% or greater.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that marijuana significantly impairs one’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Here are the effects of pot on your driving abilities:
•Decreased car handling performance
•Inability to maintain headway
•Impaired time and distance estimation
•Increased reaction times
•Sleepiness
•Lack of motor coordination
•Impaired sustained vigilance
According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a driver under the influence of alcohol and marijuana took an additional 46 yards—almost half the length of a football field—to react to other drivers’ changes. (Marijuana and Alcohol Combined Increase Impairment, NHTSA, June, 1999).
In another study, researchers concluded that 49.7 percent of the marijuana using students aged 12–17 responding to the survey reported that they had engaged in violent behavior during the past year. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health report, issue 5, 2006).
Even though some groups have endorsed smoking marijuana for medical use, major medical organizations
do not agree. This is what they say:
•The American Academy of Pediatrics “opposes the legalization of marijuana.”
•The American Medical Association rejected marijuana as medicine.
•The Glaucoma Research Foundation calls medical marijuana a “poor choice” in treating glaucoma.
•The National MS Society says that there is “…insufficient data to recommend marijuana…for treatment of multiple sclerosis.
•Even the Supreme Court rejected medical marijuana.
Nice SUZA,
but in the realm of Homicide 20,308
Sexual Behaviors 20,000, how many of those were under the influence of drugs?
Suzie,
Thanks for the paper tiger. Nobody on this blog has suggested that it is a cause of death. Your histrionics are boring.
Anon.6
Correction to above statitics:
Incidents Involving Firearms 29,000
Homicide 20,308
Sexual Behaviors 20,000
All Illicit Drug Use, Direct and Indirect 17,000
Annual Causes of Death in the United States
Tobacco 435,000
Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity 365,000
Alcohol 85,000
Microbial Agents 75,000
Toxic Agents 55,000
Motor Vehicle Crashes 26,347
Adverse Reactions to Prescription Drugs 32,000
Suicide 30,622
Incidents Involving Firearms 29,0001
Homicide 20,3084
Sexual Behaviors 20,0001
All Illicit Drug Use, Direct and Indirect 17,0001
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Such As Aspirin 7,600
Marijuana 0
Source: http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/30
United States government
National Institute on Drug Abuse,
Bureau of Mortality Statistics
Patients can have an amount of cannabis consistent with their personal medical needs. Patients and caregivers with a state-issued ID card are safer from arrest and allowed to possess the amounts below. Patients and caregivers without a state-issued ID card are subject to case-by-case scrutiny. Patients keep their right to defend gardens and dosages of any amount in court. However staying within local guidelines significantly reduces the likelihood that a patient or caregiver will face legal problems. We recommend that you stay comfortably below the upper limits.
These limits are not legally binding, other than for purposes of immunity from arrest and prosecution; they are floor amounts intended to provide a safe harbor of immunity for any patient with a bona fide recommendation to be presumed in compliance with California Health and Safety Code HS 11362.5 (Prop 215), as long as there is no indiciation of sales or commercial production. The affirmative defense remains for patients in possession of larger amounts. Collectives and patients charged with intent to sell should take note of special provisions in HS 11362.7. Larger amounts may be authorized by local cities or counties.
SB 420 Statewide Default Patient Guidelines: To be as safe as possible from arrest and prosecution, patients and caregivers should stay below the medical marijuana immunity law passed by the California legislature, HS 11362.77, which sets a minimum statewide guideline of 6 mature plants OR 12 immature plants AND up to 8 ounces of processed cannabis flowers. Physician’s note exempts larger amounts. Cities and counties empowered to set guidelines that are greater than those amounts, but not less. This is explained in an open letter from the authors of the bill. Also see the Supreme Court’s Wright decision at chrisconrad.com/expert.witness/wright.html.
It is NOT legal it is only accepted by California as non arrest for a limited amount.
And I am completely positive that certain growers in this city (S. Fulton) far exceed the limits, have a teen aged girl in the house, no one is sick, no one is a care giver and none has any other job. That’s intent to sell.
Also when they filed their taxes how did they explain their income? That’s tax fraud.
What is the ammount limited by the city of Ojai?
To drug-free,
May I remind you that I am drug-free too.
I have done my best to communicate that the legalization of marijuana is not to be construed as solving the abuse of marijuana.
I do not get a sense that those of you who oppose legalization have read my Comments as carefully as I have read yours.
Because if you read them you would know where I stand.
Marijuana legalization bill approved by key Assembly committee
The measure, which would tax and regulate pot for users 21 and older, is unlikely to get additional consideration until next year.
Los Angeles Times, January 12, 2010
By Patrick McGreevy
Reporting from Sacramento
A proposal to legalize and tax marijuana in California was approved by a key committee of the Assembly on Tuesday, but it is not expected to get further consideration by the Legislature until next year.
Despite a procedural glitch, backers hailed the committee’s action as historic because it represented the first legislative approval of the proposal.
“This vote marks the formal beginning of the end of marijuana prohibition in the United States,” predicted Stephen Gutwillig, California state director of the Drug Policy Alliance, a pot legalization group.
The legislation would allow those who are at least 21 years old to possess up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational use. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), author of the measure, said it would provide needed revenue for the state as well as regulation of the drug.
Existing law “is harming our youth,” Ammiano said. “Drug dealers do not ask for ID.”
It is estimated that the proposed $50 tax on each ounce of marijuana sold, along with license fees charged to cultivators, would generate $1.3 billion a year to be used to pay for drug education and treatment.
Ammiano said his bill is not expected to get a required hearing by a second committee in time to meet a Friday deadline. He said he plans to reintroduce the legislation if a similar initiative proposed for the November ballot is not approved by voters.
The Assembly Public Safety Committee approved Ammiano’s bill, AB 390, on a 4-3 vote.
A reminder that you can come to the candidate’s forum tonight at the Ojai Art Center and ask Mr. Blatz and Mr. Klaif these and other questions in person.
WHERE: Ojai Art Center
WHEN: Mon. March 22nd 7PM
Come on out. Some of the issues we will be asking about:
The proposed rate hike by Golden State Water…again.
The possibility of Instant-Runoff Voting for Ojai.
The $3 million dollars Ojai spends each year for the Ventura County Sheriffs to act as our local police department.
Just a reminder that you can come to the candidate’s forum tonight at the Ojai Art Center and ask Mr. Blatz and Mr. Klaif these and other questions in person.
WHERE: Ojai Art Center
WHEN: Mon. March 22nd 7PM
Come on out. Some of the issues we will be asking about:
The proposed rate hike by Golden State Water…again.
The possibility of Instant-Runoff Voting for Ojai.
The $3 million dollars Ojai spends each year for the Ventura County Sheriffs to act as our local police department.
So what is the bottom line here? Suza supports legalization of marijuana and Mr. Klaif also supports legalization of marijuana? Let us know where you stand.
I was about to run out the door but found myself still thinking about whatever’s Comments.
Especially this one:
“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that “[a]ny change in the legal status of marijuana, even if limited to adults, could affect the prevalence of use among adolescents.” While it supports scientific research on the possible medical use of cannabinoids as opposed to smoked marijuana, it opposes the legalization of marijuana.5″
The question arises, why would the AAP object to a change in the legal status of marijuana but not at the same time advocate for changing the legal status of tobacco, possiby the most addictive drug on the planet?
One can certainly argue that cigarettes, “…even if limited to adults, could affect the prevalence of use among adolescents.”
From the Ojai Orange: Contemplating Medical Marijuana
(Published in the Ojai Valley News, October 28, 2009)
http://www.ojaipost.com/2010/01/from_the_ojai_orange_contempla_1.shtml
One more little note: I want to repeat that I have no personal interest in marijunana use. I have an aversion to smoking anything and avoid all drugs, even aspirin. So far as I’m concerned the root cause of drug abuse lies in our consciousness. I would love to see Yoga and other body/mind disciplines part of the curriculum in our schools and there is a gradual movement in that direction. Students/adults definitely need to learn drug-free relaxation and mood altering techniques.
I read O-Tays Comment after I submitted mine.
The OVN had an editorial on this topic a few months ago. Will find later and submit a link.
Good morning whatever,
Thank you for calling my attention to all these studies and different opinions.
To be fair, if one digs deep enough, there are differences of opinion on the pros and cons of almost every drug/substance/food/herb on the planet.
A friend I had a few years ago who was dying of cancer put her supply of marijuana in the traditional brownie or other baked goodie. She was in her mid seventies, someone who was deeply loved and rspected in the Ojai Community. If marijuana gave her relief so be it.
Here’s a news clip to ponder:
“Walmart fires Michigan man for medical marijuana use,” ABC News, March 17, 2010
Walmart Fires Cancer Patient with Prescription for Medical Marijuana
Man Who Earned Associate of the Year Honors Fired by Employer Even Though Medical Marijuana Legal
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/michgan-man-fired-walmart-medical-marijuana/story?id=10122193
How can alcohol be blamed for 100,000 deaths each year?
•5% of all deaths from diseases of the circulatory system are attributed to alcohol.
•15% of all deaths from diseases of the respiratory system are attributed to alcohol.
•30% of all deaths from accidents caused by fire and flames are attributed to alcohol.
•30% of all accidental drownings are attributed to alcohol.
•30% of all suicides are attributed to alcohol.
•40% of all deaths due to accidental falls are attributed to alcohol.
•45% of all deaths in automobile accidents are attributed to alcohol.
•60% of all homicides are attributed to alcohol.
•
(Sources: NIDA Report, the Scientific American and Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario.) Also see Alcohol Consumption and Mortality, Alcohol poisoning deaths, CDC report,
100,000 deaths. That’s more than a statistic. That is 100,000 individuals with faces. 100,000 individuals with lives not fully lived. 100,000 individuals grieved by mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and children. Every year.
I think these numbers would be a lot lower if alcohol wasn’t as mainstream.
On a positive note we wouldn’t have Nascar and IRS agent if it wasn’t for bootleggers.
For me it’s not the substance itself be the abuse of it by unstable individuals.
It’s freakish for them to include others in their addiction especially children.
For someone to go home kick their shoes to the floor and have a beer or two (any drink) is one thing but to go home kick you shoes to the floor and pass a loaded bong through the family (teens too) is a huge problem with me.
No matter what you claim pot is still “illegal” and our local law enforcement is allowing them to break federal laws while good honest folks are being ticketed for no front license plates. Retarded.
I watched, just yesterday, two men on my street making a drug deal in public, in front of a guest we were walking out to say bye to, and the man who purchased brought his 8 or 9 year old son with him. Nice.
Wouldn’t we call that trafficking?
I agrre Whatever, The oill and patch has been proven to work as good as smoking, and the dosage is more controled. One of the big issues is who can get it from the dispenseries, almost anyone. I know one girl,22 that claimed migrains and she got the doctors paper allowing her to get it. One problem with this is because of the migrains she is aloud to be classified as a disabled student, no problem. But the problem is as my neighbors kid told us, she comes to class stoned and has no problem in letting everyone know. Also I remember a shouting match at Libby park a couple of months ago between two women one told the other she didn’t have the right to smoke pot in pulic and exposing her kids to it, and the other said it was medical marijuana and didn’t have the right to deny her from her medication. The LOADIE, smoked her joint and continued to drum in the drumming circle.
The DEA Position On Marijuana
The campaign to legitimize what is called “medical” marijuana is based on two propositions: that science views marijuana as medicine, and that DEA targets sick and dying people using the drug. Neither proposition is true. Smoked marijuana has not withstood the rigors of science – it is not medicine and it is not safe. DEA targets criminals engaged in cultivation and trafficking, not the sick and dying. No state has legalized the trafficking of marijuana, including the twelve states that have decriminalized certain marijuana use.
There is no consensus of medical evidence that smoking marijuana helps patients. Congress enacted laws against marijuana in 1970 based in part on its conclusion that marijuana has no scientifically proven medical value. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the federal agency responsible for approving drugs as safe and effective medicine based on valid scientific data. FDA has not approved smoked marijuana for any condition or disease. The FDA noted that “there is currently sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful,” and “that no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no animal or human data supported the safety or efficacy of marijuana for general medical use.”
The DEA and the federal government are not alone in viewing smoked marijuana as having no documented medical value. Voices in the medical community likewise do not accept smoked marijuana as medicine:
The American Cancer Society “does not advocate inhaling smoke, nor the legalization of marijuana,” although the organization does support carefully controlled clinical studies for alternative delivery methods, specifically a THC skin patch.4
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that “[a]ny change in the legal status of marijuana, even if limited to adults, could affect the prevalence of use among adolescents.” While it supports scientific research on the possible medical use of cannabinoids as opposed to smoked marijuana, it opposes the legalization of marijuana.5
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) states that studies done to date “have not provided convincing evidence that marijuana benefits people with MS,” and thus marijuana is not a recommended treatment. Furthermore, the NMSS warns that the “long-term use of marijuana may be associated with significant serious side effects.”6
The British Medical Association (BMA) voiced extreme concern that down-grading the criminal status of marijuana would “mislead” the public into believing that the drug is safe. The BMA maintains that marijuana “has been linked to greater risk of heart disease, lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema.”7 The 2004 Deputy Chairman of the BMA’s Board of Science said that “[t]he public must be made aware of the harmful effects we know result from smoking this drug.”8
The American Academy of Pediatrics asserted that with regard to marijuana use, “from a public health perspective, even a small increase in use, whether attributable to increased availability or decreased perception of risk, would have significant ramifications.”9
In 1999, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a landmark study reviewing the supposed medical properties of marijuana. The study is frequently cited by “medical” marijuana advocates, but in fact severely undermines their arguments.
After release of the IOM study, the principal investigators cautioned that the active compounds in marijuana may have medicinal potential and therefore should be researched further. However, the study concluded that “there is little future in smoked marijuana as a medically approved medication.”10
For some ailments, the IOM found “…potential therapeutic value of cannabinoid drugs, primarily THC, for pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation.”11 However, it pointed out that “[t]he effects of cannabinoids on the symptoms studied are generally modest, and in most cases there are more effective medications [than smoked marijuana].”12
The study concluded that, at best, there is only anecdotal information on the medical benefits of smoked marijuana for some ailments, such as muscle spasticity. For other ailments, such as epilepsy and glaucoma, the study found no evidence of medical value and did not endorse further research.13
The IOM study explained that “smoked marijuana . . . is a crude THC delivery system that also delivers harmful substances.” In addition, “plants contain a variable mixture of biologically active compounds and cannot be expected to provide a precisely defined drug effect.” Therefore, the study concluded that “there is little future in smoked marijuana as a medically approved medication.”14
The principal investigators explicitly stated that using smoked marijuana in clinical trials “should not be designed to develop it as a licensed drug, but should be a stepping stone to the development of new, safe delivery systems of cannabinoids.”
Thus, even scientists and researchers who believe that certain active ingredients in marijuana may have potential medicinal value openly discount the notion that smoked marijuana is or can become “medicine.”
DEA has approved and will continue to approve research into whether THC has any medicinal use. As of May 8, 2006, DEA had registered every one of the 163 researchers who requested to use marijuana in studies and who met Department of Health and Human Services standards.16 One of those researchers, The Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR), conducts studies “to ascertain the general medical safety and efficacy of cannabis and cannabis products and examine alternative forms of cannabis administration.”17 The CMCR currently has 11 on-going studies involving marijuana and the efficacy of cannabis and cannabis compounds as they relate to medical conditions such as HIV, cancer pain, MS, and nausea.
At present, however, the clear weight of the evidence is that smoked marijuana is harmful. No matter what medical condition has been studied, other drugs already approved by the FDA, such as Marinol – a pill form of synthetic THC – have been proven to be safer and more effective than smoked marijuana.
To Anonymous 5:29 pm and Whatever,
I’ve read your Comments carefully and thought about your questions.
I hope you can assure me that you have given me the same courtesy, including viewing the links I posted above, especially the video where law-enforcement speaks out on the Drug War.
The prohibition of alcohol has been a failure in every country that tried it, including ours. It led to bootlegging and organized crime took control of the distribution of alcohol. Distilleries and breweries in Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean flourished as their products were either consumed by visiting Americans or illegally imported to the U.S.
Sound familiar?
Legalizing alcohol did not solve the problems associated with alcohol. But try to imagine the consequences if we persisted in a “War on Alcohol,”
Please understand: Drug legalization is not to be construed as solving our drug problem.
Listen to what America’s “drug czar,” R. Gil Kerlikowskethe, a man who oversees a $428 million budget and a staff of about 100 has to say:
Q. A few days after you started your job, you said you wanted to “banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting a war on drugs.” Why get rid of the metaphor?
Most people don’t see it as having been successful, and it really limits the tools you can bring to this complex problem. . . . When you are fighting a war, really, your tools are force, and this is as much a public-health problem as it is a public-safety problem. And we’ve been fighting it with mostly a criminal-justice lens.
Q. You often talk of drugs as being a problem of both public safety and public health, but the idea of prevention and treatment is not new. So, what should the government do that hasn’t been tried before?
One is the collaboration. . . . There was a woman who I met who lost a son to a fatal overdose and another child . . . was in recovery, so she knows this area very well. And she said, “We are a family: treatment, prevention and law enforcement.” She said, “It’s the only family I know [that] when the going gets tough, we circle the wagons and shoot in.” The treatment people say, “Who knows if prevention works?” The prevention people say, “Gee, law enforcement only wants to jail, and why don’t you give us the money?” The difference with us, this time around, is we are going to work much more together.
Q. You have long been a proponent of drug courts that emphasize treatment instead of jail. The president has proposed $56 million to increase treatment capacity in drug courts, but is the government doing everything it could to expand treatment availability?
No. We should shout a lot more about the fact that they actually do work.
Kid no I don’t and didn’t use drugs because I had enough exposure from my dad, step dad, brothers, later my husband, father-in-law and brother-in-law. Three are dead and one had a stroke all in the past few years. Most recent (Jan 1, 2010) was my younger brother who was only 42.
Me and him were thick as thieves as kids and teens. So much fun, until he started to use.
First pot, no biggie, but then things got heavier and then he discovered that doctors gladly supplied him with all he wanted.
Same with younger bro-in-law. He didn’t make 30.
I love kids and teens, your still so fun, active and fearless. You guys keep me healthy and young at heart so I would like to extend myself to help you stay healthy too.
And to you Suza you are assuming that the folks in prison are non violent inmates. How do you know that? I saw Marijuana Inc. and the pot growers had guns, pit bulls and were very violent to threats on there livelihood.
Also while we’re on it are you saying that you condone non violent crimes of all levels or just for pot growers?
Breaking the law is breaking the law otherwise it would be like “kinda pregnant”.
And are they not tax evaders? Violating health and safety codes, causing damage to the environment with their funky irrigation systems, causing thousands of dollars of damage to rental properties with water and mold damages? Violating city building codes with their set ups.
I think marijuana should be legalized, just like alcohol. You have to be over 21 to buy it and you can’t sell it to a minor. You can’t drive under the influence just like alcohol. Put the cartels out of business and out of our forests.
Suza, how do we help these people get off drugs instead of incarcerating them? You seem to think marijuana is a victimless drug, you are wrong! Something needs to be done, and making marijuana legal is not the answer.
To anyone reading ‘just an adults ‘ comment above please note he first called me a stoner and told me I was smoking pot which isn’t even true it was just the only comment he could think of as I was defending Mr. Klaif against ‘whatever’ so ‘just an adult’ felt like pipping in with his two bits. About being Jewish, I love all people in general, unfortunetly there are stupid people of all races and creeds.
Cops and Clergy Condemn the War On Drugs
http://www.csdp.org/
According to an article in The Atlantic, (see link below) “in the federal system, about one out of every six federal inmates is in federal prison for marijuana… There are more people now in federal prison for marijuana offenses than for violent offenses. Out of the 1.1 million people in American prisons, the marijuana offenders are not the majority. But there are a lot of them. And certainly, at a time when there’s a shortage of prison space and when murderers are serving on average about six years in prison, it seems absurd to have non-violent marijuana offenders locked up in those large numbers.”
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/dope/interviews/schlosser.html
“just a kid”, good to know you are homophobic, by the way I am also Jewish so perhaps you would like to throw in an ethnic slur.
Just an adult, haha funny , you are totally gay!
O-tay, reading your posts makes me physically ill, I think I might throw up now,
To whatever, oh well, ask your silly little questions then. “Do you or have you ever smoked pot?” and enjoy your silly little answers.
~The Kid
Kid,
If Mr. Klaif wants me and other people to take his side and vote him into a powerful position for the entire city then Yes, Absolutely he has to answer some very important questions. Other wise we’re sorry later when it’s too late and much harder to change our decision.
And the drugs in town are one of my biggest annoyances so when the topic arose and Mr. Klaif claimed ignorance I had to speak my mind.
And I’m not talking about special investigations and stake outs, I’m talking about the people that it’s completely obvious they are exceeding the parameters of the state “law” regarding growing for personal medicinal use. Like the affordable housing area and other neighborhoods with families and children.
I personally couldn’t start my own home business of any kind legally without a business license, tax ID number, local zoning permits, health permit. If I did and got caught (even a legal business) I would be fined and forced to shut the business down.
I am irritated that I must follow all the rules and pot growers are convenienced by the personal beliefs that MR. Klaif and some others share regarding the “Legalities of Marijuana”.