Coalition Drug Free California Fires Back at Attorney General Kamala Harris.
Her office has consistently refused to meet with anti-drug coalitions.
CDFC submitted a formal Public Records request, which by law,
requires public agencies to release information.
Specifically, we asked for "records showing the dates and times that Kamala Harris,
and/or any of her staff met with pro-marijuana groups to include marijuana dispensary groups, marijuana attorneys, marijuana lobby
groups, Drug Policy Alliance, NORML, and other similar groups,etc, to include the names of the groups, the names of the persons from
the AG office and the names of the individuals they met with."
Harris's office initially delayed beyond the 10-day response deadline
requesting additional time to review the request.
The Stanislaus County Insider
Property of StancoInsider, all rights reserved.
Los Angeles, CA - December 6th 2011 - Coalition for a Drug Free California (CDFC) reported last month that California State Attorney General, Kamala Harris has been meeting with pro-marijuana organizations, seeking their advice and input on soon-to-be-released guidelines tying the hands of California law enforcement officers from shutting down pot stores.
CDFC is highly concerned and believes the State Attorney General is violating the Public Records Act. The CDFC request simply wanted
to confirm what our sources have told us - that the Attorney General was, indeed meeting often with pro-marijuana groups, to help
with the formulation of soon-to-be-released- pot-store enforcement guidelines.
Sources have told CDFC that Kamala Harris's staff have
used state-offices, including those within the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement to meet with pro-marijuana lobby organizations.
Before
Harris was elected as California's top-cop, she was the District Attorney in San Francisco. During her tenure, she penned an editorial
favoring marijuana, stating,
"...We will not prosecute people who use or sell marijuana for medicinal purposes...I formed, and have
been meeting with, a medical marijuana advisory group – a group of leaders from the medical marijuana community whom I have asked
to advise me and to discuss community impacts."
Dr. Paul Chabot, Founder of the Coalition for a Drug Free California stated, "We are
very concerned to learn that the State's 'Top Cop' - the Attorney General, is refusing to release basic public records, in accordance
with the law. It appears she is indeed secretly meeting with drug legalization advocates and shunning parents, youth, teachers and
law enforcement."
A link between Harris and pro-drug organizational money supporting her run in 2010 for State Attorney General is
of great concern. "I am outraged that Attorney General Kamala Harris has refused our public records request for information on her
association with the pro drug lobby, including individuals and organizations that are working to legalize marijuana outright. Her
refusal to answer questions surrounding the use of state offices, including those within the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement to meet
with pro pot advocates is absolutely unacceptable." said Linda Taylor with the Coalition for a Drug Free California. "My research
has confirmed a link between her campaign contributions and the pro marijuana lobby."
CDFC is requesting assistance from the media
and the public. Her office's pro-marijuana stance will harm California's communities and youth.
Breaking - State Attorney General's
Office is significantly reducing the size of the California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement effective January 1st.