On March 24, 2010, a California ballot initiative to legalize the use of marijuana was deemed qualified for the general election.1 Four months later, The UFCW Western States Council endorsed the ballot initiative citing the creation of taxable revenue and jobs as well as depriving narcotics traffickers of a source of revenue.2
The director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy stated that the American people should be skeptical of anyone selling marijuana legalization as a cure-all. The director also claimed that the taxes collected from the legalization and sale of marijuana pale in comparison to the social and health care costs of widespread use.3
The DEA classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act which means the drug has a high potential for abuse and no medical use. Marijuana impairs the ability to form memories, and recall events.4 It has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs and respiratory tract as well as impair the immune system. One study found that the risk of heart attack increased four times within one hour of smoking marijuana
The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that marijuana users are four times more likely to use cocaine and crack cocaine and five times more likely to use hallucinogens than those who do not use marijuana. 5
Yet, Local 5 still supports the proposition. Dan Rush of its Local 5 also spoke out in favor of Proposition 19 claiming, ‘the marriage between the cannabis-hemp industry and the UFCW is a natural one.’6
Despite the health risks to the people of California, the UFCW is looking forward to a “marriage” with the cannabis industry. In the pursuit of more members, the UFCW seems eager to watch the Golden State go “up in smoke.”
1 Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures, California Secretary of State Web site, http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures.htm, Accessed 10/1/10
2 Carlos Lozano, “Union Endorses Initiative To legalize Marijuana In California,” Los Angeles Times, 7/14/10
3 Marijuana Legalization; A Non-Starter, ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske, 10/23/09
4 Marijuana Abuse, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH Publication Number 05-3859, July 2005
5 The DEA Position on Marijuana, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Web site, http://www.justice.gov/dea/marijuana_position.html#19, Accessed 10/1/10
6 Carlos Lozano, “Union Endorses Initiative To legalize Marijuana In California,” Los Angeles Times, 7/14/10
