Will Arnold follow up on marijuana?

In researching this editorial for the Register, I discovered that several groups, including the Drug Policy Alliance, are working to get a meeting with Gov. Schwarzenegger, or at least his staff, to see ig he is interested in action to push forward the debate he says is desirable on the legalization of marijuana. I could see a commission that might hold hearings with people on various sides of the issue. Or how about televised debates? I nominate Judge James P. Gray to take the legalization side. The other side can have anybody they want. Jim will almost certainly be more persuasive.

A tipping point on marijuana legalization?

Here's the piece I did for last Sunday's Register Commentary section, a piece of which I'm kinda proud in that it reflects quite a bit of thought, reading and telephone work. I'm planning to use some of what I couldn't get into the piece for a piece on the same subject for Liberty magazine.

It reflects my growing belief (though with some skepticism based on sad experience) that this country just might be on the verge of legalizing marijuana. Not next week or even next year. But the combination of a new administration which has taken a modestly less oppressive tack toward medical marijuana dispensaries, the violence in Mexico, and a few politicians touching the "third rail" and not getting electrocuted makes me believe, for the first time in years, that it is possible.

I talked to Dale Gieringer of Cal NORML, Allen St. Pierre of national NORML, Bruce Mirken and Rob Kampia of the Marijuana Policy Project, Ethan Nadelmann of the Drug Policy Alliance, and my old friend Judge Jim Gray. All agreed that the portents are more favorable now than at any time they can remember. I wasn't able to contact Loretta Sanchez, Linda Sanchez or Sen. Jim Webb, but I will, especially if I expand this research into a quick book, which is very much on my mind just now. Your thoughts?