On the second Tuesday of every month Eugene Davidovich, chair of the San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), heads to the La Jolla Brew House for the organization’s monthly run-down of legislation and court action facing medicinal marijuana patients. The decision to hold the meeting in La Jolla, according to Davidovich, is because there are hundreds of patients here looking for safe access. “At least 30 percent or so of our regular attendees come from La Jolla,” Davidovich said. This month’s meeting focused on Prop 19, a measure up for vote on Nov. 2 to legalize marijuana. Perhaps what makes Prop 19 unique compared to the litany of previous initiatives to legalize cannabis is that, if passed, it will also allow cities and counties to control the sale of marijuana, which could, according to “Yes on 19” advocates, generate billions of dollars in revenue much like alcohol does. “The medicinal marijuana community is for Prop 19 because if it is completely legalized it will advance the opportunity to research the other medicinal properties of cannabis,” said Davidovich. “As of now, cannabis collectives cannot do this.” ASA members feel the passage of Prop 19 would also reduce the amount of medicinal marijuana-related arrests by local and federal officials because it would reinforce state law. Adding to the drama swirling around the issue is Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recent signing of Senate Bill 1449 and Assembly Bill 2650. Although the bills seem to conflict one another, it appears the current administration’s intent is clear: SB 1449 decriminalizes possession, while AB 2650 aims to limit the amount of dispensaries that can deliver it. If caught with up to one ounce, a person would only face a $100 infraction, but as of January dispensaries will be prohibited from operating within 600 feet of a school — making the measures passed in 1996 under Prop 215 for medicinal marijuana access more difficult to maintain. AB 2650 could shut down many local dispensaries, Davidovich said. The Sundt Memorial Foundation, which encourages kids to live a drug-free life of “natural highs,” opposes Prop 19. “We obviously have grave, grave concerns about the ramifications of Prop 19 if it passes,” said Michelle Ahearne, executive director of the La Jolla-based nonprofit. “Teachers are already required by California health laws to educate children about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. If it passes, how will they do that?” The media and celebrity culture send kids mixed messages about drug use, Ahearne said. “If we add the element of legalization to the mix,” she said, “what’s the message we’re supposed to send?” Conversely, San Diego native and ASA member Vey Linville has been using cannabis concentrates to treat his emphysema for more than a year and believes the passage of Prop 19 will ensure patients’ rights in California, as well as help his children rather than hinder them. “As a parent, I fear that a single minor episode of experimentation with cannabis could lead to one of my children becoming ensnared in the criminal justice system,” Linville said. “Let’s make room in the courts. Let’s stop wasting the police’s time and let them chase violent offenders.” Scott Chipman, southern California co-chair for Citizens Against the Legalization of Marijuana (CALM), disagrees. “In Alaska, they legalized marijuana from 1978 to 1994 and use doubled among teens compared to the other U.S. states,” said the Pacific Beach resident. “We need to oppose Prop 19 so we can send a positive message to our teens.” Chipman also feels the Prop 19 verbiage is misunderstood. “Prop 19 will not tax or regulate marijuana. It asks that counties and cities create the tax regulations regarding the sale,” he said. “In the current economic climate, the reality is that it will be extremely difficult for local government to do that. They’ll put it on the back burner.” Regardless of whether Prop 19 passes, local ASA members are concerned about an ordinance proposal asking that collectives be at least 1,000 feet from places such as schools, libraries, places of worship, youth camps and playgrounds. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is expected to make a decision on the proposal in January. “If you forget for just a minute that it’s marijuana, and that it’s aspirin or any other medicine you can get in a pharmacy,” said Davidovich, “you’ll realize that it’s taking away safe access for patients looking for relief.”