Walnut Creek passes resolution opposing Prop 64

WALNUT CREEK (KTVU) -- The Walnut Creek City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution that expresses the city's opposition to Proposition 64, which seeks to legalize recreational marijuana in California. 

Walnut Creek Police Chief Thomas Chaplin told council members that he is concerned about public safety if voters approve the ballot measure in November. He said police in Colorado and Washington, where pot is legal, have seen impacts on public safety.

"There have been increases in accidents, traffic collisions involving major injuries and fatalities and I would hate to see that occur here," Chaplin said. "We don't have the regulations in effect to which we could successfully prosecute people that are driving under the influence of marijuana. Those standards don't exist right now. This proposition I think is ahead of the science." 

Marijuana is already legal in California for medical use. Proposition 64 would allow licensed businesses to sell recreational marijuana products. It would impose a 15 percent excise tax on those products and a cultivation tax on marijuana.

Smoking pot in public, driving under the influence, selling to anyone under 21, and possessing more than 6 plants for cultivation would still be illegal.

No one stood up for public comment., but some council members shared their concerns about the impact legalization would have on youth, crime rates, and cultivation.

Four council members agreed with the police chief. One council member Bob Simmons dissented, saying it's time for regulation of a substance people already are using openly.

 "We need to turn a page on that 40 years or 45 years of failed history of marijuana regulation in this country or non regulation and move to another era were we can actually regulate  the quality of marijuana," Simmons said.

By approving the resolution, Walnut Creek joins Solano County and 11 other California cities in voicing opposition to Prop 64.

 "Anytime a city has the courage to take a position on something on the state level, that encourages other cities to look at it as well," said Loella Haskew, Walnut Creek's Mayor.

Public opinion polls appear to show support for Prop 64. On the streets of Walnut Creek Tuesday, people said they would support it.

"We might as well you know have it on the same level as cigarettes and alcohol, and being able to tax it," said Sophia Arroyo of Concord.

"I think it's going to be legalized sooner or later and I don't see what the big deal is," said Rick Hummel, a Walnut Creek resident.

By KTVU reporter Jana Katsuyama.