From: NORML California <[canor m l] at [igc.apc.org]>
Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs
Subject: Cal "Smoke a Joint" Opt-Out Bill
Date: Wed, 01 Mar 1995 22:00:18 -0800 (PST)

      In a surprise move, State Senate Transportation Committee Chairman 
Quentin Kopp (I-S.F.) is offering a bill, SB 1198, which would opt out of 
California's controversial "Smoke a Joint, Lose Your License" law.   The law, 
which requires a mandatory six-month driver's license supension for any 
drug offense, regardless of whether it is driving-related, was passed last year at 
Gov. Wilson's insistence to comply with a federal transportation funding 
mandate.  The "Smoke a Joint, Lose Your License" law is scheduled to expire 
on December 1, 1995, at which point California must decide either to re-enact 
it or else specifically opt out, as proposed by Sen. Kopp;  failure to do either 
will result in the loss of $100 million in federal highway aid.
      Gov. Wilson is expected to back an alternative bill, AB 1304, by 
Assemblyman Larry Bowler (R-Elk Grove/Stockton), that would extend the 
"Smoke a Joint, Lose Your License" law indefinitely.
      This marks the first time that the legislature will have the opportunity to 
debate bills on both sides of the "Smoke A Joint, Lose Your License" issue.  
State Senator Kopp is known for his conservative views on marijuana, but 
has been a vocal critic of federal transportation mandates.
      NORML urges supporters to write to the legislature in support of SB 1198 
and against AB 1304.  In addition to Sen. Kopp, key Senators include Criminal 
Procedure Committee Chairman Milton Marks (D-SF), Sen. Dan Boatwright 
(D-Contra Costa), Sen. Richard Polanco (D-L.A.), Sen. Tom Campbell (R-Palo 
Alto) and Sen. Robert Beverly (R-Long Beach).  Key Assemblymembers 
include Transportation Committee Chairman Richard Katz (D-Panorama 
City), Public Safety Committee Vice-Chairwoman Kerry Mazzoni (D-Santa 
Rosa), Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), Kevin Murray (D-LA), and James 
Rogan (R-Glendale).  Mail address for all: State Capitol, Sacramento CA 95814.