California: Efforts to legalize pot meet stiff resistance

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The debate over marijuana could get hotter in the Inland region.

As local governments throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties continue pondering how to regulate medical-marijuana dispensaries, groups of San Francisco Bay Area activists are seeking to legalize the drug for all uses in California.

The move, supporters say, would save money in reduced law-enforcement costs and allow the state to tax marijuana and collect more than $1 billion in revenue.

"Once folks become better informed about how marijuana affects people, about the truths, I think they will be less opposed to the idea," said Scott Bledsoe, of Crestline, who sued San Bernardino County for balking at issuing medical-marijuana identification cards.

But not everyone is excited about the prospect of legalized pot. Law enforcement officials oppose the plan, as do many local elected leaders. And even if marijuana were legalized in California, federal law still would prohibit its possession and use, although it remains unclear how aggressively authorities would enforce those laws.

"The recreational use of marijuana; I am not sure it is something the government should be encouraging," San Bernardino County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said. "Smoking any substance can be harmful to people's lungs."

In July, Oakland became the first American city to tax medical-marijuana sales. Officials said the tax should earn the city about $1 million annually.

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