Before I start this post, I should put this out there: I’m a nerd. Always have been, always will be. My experience with marijuana is limited to a couple of times in college and an accidental brownie in Golden Gate Park.  That being said, the statistics and research all say one thing: Marijuana is Safer than alcohol. (Again, square alert, I drink one beer a week at most and I’m tipsy at the first sniff of alcohol.)

We mentioned in an open thread a few days ago that there were a couple of initiatives that have been approved for circulation to legalize mariujana.  And one of these measures now looks like it might have some momentum behind it.

In a rather smart move all around, former State Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata has joined the effort to tax and regulate marijuana.  As a candidate for Mayor of Oakland, this can’t help but be an asset in the campaign. After all, the voters in the City of Oakland recently passed a measure to tax marijuana by a vote of 80%-20%.

Given the poll numbers showing such a measure passing by about 10 points now, this certainly has a shot at passing. While the state laws would be superceded by the federal laws, the statement alone would result in a push for bringing the conversation up in DC.  If this can get on the ballot, this might be an interesting item to watch.