Measure Z Passed In November 2004 With 65% Of The Vote

Measure Z Does: Measure Z makes private marijuana offenses, including sales and cultivation, Oakland's lowest police priority. Measure Z also establishes a Community Oversight Committee to ensure that Measure Z is enforced, and endorses a tax and regulate system as soon as possible under state law. What Measure Z Doesn't Do: Measure Z does NOT apply to public marijuana use or street dealing, or to motor vehicle violations. Measure Z does NOT change federal or state law prohibiting marijuana use. Measure Z does NOT allow marijuana to be sold to minors or near schools.

Goal: Tax & Regulate The taxation and regulation of marijuana in California alone could bring in an estimated $2.5 billion - funding that is sorely needed for education and other vital public services. Taxation and regulation is a better way to control marijuana. Taking pot out of the criminal justice system frees up police resources, reduces overcrowding of jails and courts, and allows our police to focus on violent crime. Every business should be regulated appropriately. It makes more sense to control marijuana by taxation and regulation than to spend money in a failed and corrupt war on drugs. The Benefits of Z: Measure Z, when fully implemented by the City of Oakland, will: Allow Oakland Police to focus on violent crime Save tax dollars instead of wasting time and money on the Drug War Reduce teen marijuana use - marijuana will be reclaimed by legitimate businesses that have an incentive to card for age Give medical marijuana patients a safe, legal way to obtain their medicine Reduce overcrowding in our jails Raise millions of dollars in sales taxes for vital city services Every year California spends $150 million to arrest, prosecute and imprison marijuana offenders. Isn't it about time we came up with a smarter solution?