Resolution - 33430
RESOLUTION NO. 3343
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST COVINA OPPOSING PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL
INITIATIVE TO LEGALIZE MANUFACTURE, SALE,
PURCHASE, POSSESSION AND TRANSPORTATION OF
MARIJUANA
WHEREAS, a group calling itself "The Anonymous Committee
for the Abolition of the Prohibition against Marijuana" has
commenced action to amend the Constitution of the State of Cali-
fornia to legalize the manufacture, sale, purchase, possession,
and transportation of marijuana within the State of California;
and
WHEREAS, this group has chosen to remain anonymous; and
WHEREAS, it is known that the use of marijuana leads
inevitably to the use of hard narcotics such as heroin as the
addict's tolerance and his need for more and stronger marcotics
increases; and
WHEREAS, experience in England with the so-called
"British System" of providing drugs for addicts has shown that
the legalizing*of drugs in any form results in their increased use
and spread to greater numbers of people; and
WHEREAS, the legalizing of marijuana will subject untold
numbers of our citizens to the personal tragedy and suffering of
• becoming dependent upon the use of,marijuana and as a result
thereof to addiction to -:heroin; and
WHEREAS, the legalizing of marijuana would subject our
citizens to the violent and unpredictable criminal tendencies of
persons under the influence of marijuana; and .
WHEREAS, such action would result in millions of dollars
of additional cost to,the public of police investigation, prose-
cution, and incarceration of persons who commit violent and
vicious crimes -while under the influence of marijuana and other
narcotics to say nothing of the loss resulting from.thefts
committed by those seeking money to support their ever increasing
need for narcotics; and
WHEREAS, the use of habit forming narcotic drugs destroys
willpower, inhibitions and restraints of its users and leads to
loss of moral control and to physical and mental collapse; and
WHEREAS, it is well established that the use of narcotics
leads to criminal behavior which is often vicious and senseless;
and
WHEREAS, the people of
entitled to be protected against
cotic users; and
WHEREAS, the proposal
and could benefit only those who
traffic in narcotics; and
the State of California are
the criminal activities of nar-
is ill considered and unrealistic
are engaged in the infamous
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WHEREAS, the legalizing of marijuana would serve only
to compound what is now one of the most serious and complex prob-
lems facing the State of California and would create a clear and
present danger to the health; safety and welfare of all our citi-
zens; and
WHEREAS, the refusal of the group sponsoring this peti-
tion to identify themselves constitutes an abuse of the initiative
process;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of West
Covina most strenuously opposes the proposed constitutional
amendment sponsored by "The Anonymous Committee for the Abolition
of the Prohibition against Marijuana" and opposes the measure if
it qualifies for the ballot.
SECTION 2. That the City Council of the City of West
Covina urges all of its citizens and voters to join in opposing
this vicious amendment.
SECTION 3. That the City Council of the City of West
Covina supports the activities of the Special Committee to oppose
this proposition.
SECTION 4. That the City Clerk certify to the adoption
• of this Resolution and shall transmit copies thereof to each
representative of this community in the State Legislature.
Adopted and approved this 28th day of March, 1966.
Mayor
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly
adopted by the City Council of the City of West Covina at a
regular meeting thereof held on the 28th day of March, 1966, by
the following vote of the Council:
AYES: Councilmen Jett, Snyder, Krieger, Heath, Mayor Nichols
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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City Clerk
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