This commentary by Marcus Wohlson is about the Califrnia Attorney General Eric Holder's position on what will happen if marijuana becomes legalized in November. Holder states in a letter that even if marijuana is legalized in California, it is still illegal according to federal law and that the federal laws will be "vigorously enforced" against recreational use. Holder believes that the passing of Prop. 19 would undermine efforts in targeting the trafficking of marijuana, which is often distributed with other drugs, and would put California communities at higher risk from these dangers. Advocates of the legalization of marijuana argue that marijuana will become a "new industry" and that it's "taxable new income" and will attract many tourists.
Many people are also skeptical about Holder's claim to prosecute distributors and recreational users because the federal government doesn't have the resources to constantly patrol the streets of California and find every user of the drug. Less than one percent of suspects in marijuana related arrests nationwide in 2008 were made by federal law enforcement, DEA could only be able to focus its time on larger targets.
Although many pot dispensaries in California were raided by federal agents during the Bush administration, the marijuana industry was minimally affected and continued to grow. Advocates of Prop. 19 also argue that Eric Holder and the federal government could "put our tax dollars to better use," instead of spending so much time and resources on "continuing an endless cycle with little positive effect."
So even if Proposition 19 is passed, Holder will not sit idly by because he believes that the Controlled Substances Act Should strictly be enforced in every single state in the country "even if such activities are permitted under state law."
Eric Holder to Prosecute Distribution, Possession If Prop. 19 Passes
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