Proposition 19 Beat
How is Mainstream Media Covering it?
Proposition 19 which is only a California issue currently hasn’t received much in the way of mainstream media attention, despite the veritable blizzard Proposition 8 and even the state’s own budgetary concerns received. What does this mean for voters in California and even other states who’s voters are possibly considering similar action in their own states.
I searched The New York Times website, Foxnews.com, MSNBC.com, and CBS.com for stories of the ballot initiative. NYT turned up only one article, focusing on black voter’s split between supporting and opposing the measure. A black pastor in California fiercely opposes the issue, citing his own struggle with drug addiction and fears for others similar plights if the drug were legalized completely. (1) However he faces opposition from the NAACP which supports the measure on grounds that it will help alleviate the disparity in arrests and prosecutions of blacks on Marijuana charges, as compared to other races. (2)
CBS.com had a few pieces on the subject, mostly focusing on the split of California voters themselves on the issue, citing a recent poll that indicates those who are pro-prop 19 still trail slightly behind those who oppose it. They also mentioned the concern of many voters that if California does in fact pass the bill will the state be in jeopardy of losing federal funds for a variety of causes, from highway to employment; expressing worry that because of 1999s Drug Free Workplace act California businesses might face federal pressure. (3)
It’s slightly concerning to see such little national attention divided to both our most populous state and one where the issue of Marijuana has received an amazing amount of attention from it’s own residents. Not to mention the amount of news media coverage devoted to increasing drug violence both on the borders of our country and even within it. Just last week a man in Winona was arrested for growing marijuana on his property, the article stating he had a “cloning laboratory” and quoting police as saying he was beyond personal use, “an educated grower” seemingly a menace to society as indicated by the reporter but apparently kind enough to name one of his plants “Don.” (4)
Given the serious national problems brought about by the illicit substance in question it would be my hope that more news media highlights what many hope will be one state’s action towards alleviating both the law enforcement, financial, and even violence problems associated with it’s illegality and accompanying incentive for an unsupervised underground market.
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