By Tori Hahn | SDCNN Intern

The Uptown Democratic Club endorsed two candidates at its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 26, and welcomed guest speaker Michelle Sexton in a discussion about the potential legalization of recreational marijuana for adults.

Club members voted 22-0 to endorse Barbara Bry for the City Council District 1 seat after her three-minute speech expressing her focus on keeping San Diego neighborhoods safe, clean and prosperous. The high-tech entrepreneur will take on Republican candidate Ray Ellis in the race to replace termed-out District 1 Councilmember Sherri Lightner, who also serves as council president.

The club also voted 21-1 to back Todd Gloria and his bid to represent District 78 in the California Assembly. He hopes to replace termed-out Assemblymember Toni G. Atkins, who is currently the Assembly Speaker. Gloria, who has termed out of his City Council District 3 seat, served as Interim Mayor from August 2013 to February 2014 after then-Mayor Bob Filner resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal.

Gloria explained why he wanted to serve in the Assembly. He said he hopes to continue his work to increase affordable housing and improve the public transportation systems in California. Gloria currently serves on the Transportation Committee of SANDAG.

During his talk, Gloria told club members that the District 1 race was crucial to local Democrats. The race will likely decide whether the Democrats continue to hold a 5-4 majority on the City Council. An Ellis win would likely flip the majority to the Republicans, 5-4.

“It is arguably the most important race — other than the presidential election — of 2016 in San Diego,” Gloria said.

California’s primary election will be on June 7, and the general election will take place on Nov. 8.

The Uptown Democratic Club also heard from guest speaker Michelle Sexton, a naturopathic doctor and executive medical research director at the Center for the Study of Cannabis and Social Policy.

Sexton discussed a number of California ballot initiatives for legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults. At least 10 initiatives are being circulated for signatures, Sexton said.

One initiative — the California Control, Tax and Regulate Adult Use of Marijuana Act, or AUMA — has enough money and support behind it to be taken seriously and Californians could be voting on it in November, Sexton said.

“California is a swing state for cannabis and San Diego is a swing county for California,” she said.

Sexton said legalizing marijuana could finally allow researchers to focus on studying the medical and healing aspects of the drug. She said positives for marijuana regulation could include a big increase in tax dollars for the state, improved treatment of sick patients, and fewer incarcerations for minor drug offenses.

“It’s a relatively harmless drug in comparison to many other street drugs … even prescription drugs,” Sexton said.

Club members responded with questions and several people expressed reservations concerning legalization.

Questions included whether marijuana acted as a “gateway drug” to more lethal substances (Sexton said no) and the safety of driving while under the influence (Sexton said research is ongoing).

Another member questioned the security of San Diego due to the city’s proximity to the Mexican border and the crime resulting from drugs being brought here illegally. Sexton responded that to not impose any regulations only enables the war on drugs that compromises border safety and allows the black market to continue thriving.

In other news, two other candidates in the upcoming elections got their three minutes to speak in front of the club.

Sam Bedwell, a member of the Uptown Democratic Club, is one of seven candidates running for the District 9 City Council seat. Bedwell emphasized investing in police, affordable housing and infrastructure in a city that “our children can’t afford.”

Business professor Kevin Alston advocated a “students first” policy in his campaign for the District D seat on the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees.

Alston said he wants to focus on inclusion in the community college system, as well as obtain affordable education for students by getting rid of hidden fees.

John Hartley spoke briefly about the Clean Elections Ballot Initiative, which, if qualified for the November general election and enacted, would “level the playing field” and allow more individuals of different backgrounds to run for office.

The Uptown Democratic Club will next meet on Feb. 23 at the Joyce Beers Community Center in Hillcrest, with a full slate of endorsements scheduled.

—Tori Hahn is an intern with SDCNN and a senior majoring in journalism at San Diego State University.