The Informant

Alexandra Moss

Proposition 19, the ballot measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana failed to pass. No one seems to be crying about it today. A KTVU Newscast last night of the party over at Oaksterdam featured a somewhat baffled anchorwoman, accustomed to covering fervent campaign night rallies. When the cameras popped over to her shortly after it was announced the measure would fail, the woman looked behind her and said that no one at the party was even reacting to the news. No one waiving signs or jumping in front of the camera, no designated crowd-herder to make sure the party appeared upbeat on tv. “They’re all so mellow,” she said. Which pretty much sums up how the campaign was conducted: no big advertising pushes (no tv ads at all until the last week), no big money, no door-to-door peddlers or hand-shakers, and the biggest campaign events were more like conventions for weed enthusiasts. Now, in defeat, the Proposition 19 folks seem to be revealing the reasoning behind their low-key campaign.

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• Prop 19by Andrew StelzerDownload

Alexandra Moss

Californians will go to the polls this Election Day, and decide whether to legalize marijuana for adult, recreational use. The measure’s called Proposition 19, and the debate has largely centered on how it could impact the financial future of the state.

But how has California’s anti-pot policy faired so far? Some argue that prohibiting pot keeps people from using more dangerous drugs. Others say that criminalizing cannabis disproportionately harms minorities.

Reporter Andrew Stelzer clears the air around legalizing pot in a documentary called “Prop 19: The end of the war on marijuana?” It was produced for the National Radio Project’s “Making Contact.” In this first part, Andrew Stelzer talks to some of the young people who are speaking out in favor of legalization. Transcript after the jump.

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• The health effects of potby Michael Krasny / KQEDDownload

With all the hoopla over Proposition 19, the ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana, Monday’s Forum over at KQED tackled what is perhaps the most important question surrounding marijuana use: what are its health effects?

The hour (audio above), featured a physician face-off between Dr. Timmen Cermak, president of the California Society of Addiction Medicine  (who says marijuana has addictive potential) and Dr. Larry Bedard, former president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (who says there’s no evidence of marijuana addiction). Here’s a play-by-play:

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