Wake up, Barbara

Some disappointing news today regarding one of the few Democratic Senators worth supporting in the US Sentae. It seems that Boxer does not support the initiative to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in California. Voters will decide whether the state should proceed with the initiative this November, when they also will vote for a new governor.

Talking Points Memo asked Boxer's campaign manager, Rose Kapolczynski, the senator's position on the issue. Her response was pretty lame, the usual misinformed and ignorant 'marijuana is evil' stance:

Senator Boxer does not support this initiative because she shares the concerns of police chiefs, sheriffs and other law enforcement officials that this measure could lead to an increase in crime, vehicle accidents and higher costs for local law enforcement agencies. She supports current law in California, which allows for the use of medicinal marijuana with a doctor's prescription.

Whatever.

An increase in crime? More like criminals will be put out of business, with everyone allowed to grow and consume their own marijuana legally, as well as the state of California reaping billions of dollars in revenue from the regulation and taxation of it. Vehicle accidents? As if drunk driving isn't already an epidemic. People behave far better on marijuana than alcohol, and people when driving under the influence of marijuana are so paranoid that they usually drive below the limit. The bottom line is that in response to Boxer's lame argument is that prohibition just doesn't work. It didn't work with alcohol, and the sick war on marijuana has to end.