Calif. Ads Feature Cop Arguing for Legalization

The first TV ad released in support of a marijuana legalization question that recently qualified for the California ballot features testimony from a former police officer, the Los Angeles Times reported March 29.

In the ad, Jeffrey Studdard, a former school district police officer and reserve L.A. county deputy, said that the current approach to marijuana regulation isn’t working and has led to violence and drug dealing in schools. The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act that will go before voters in November would raise billions in tax revenues and redirect police resources to more serious crimes, Studdard said in the ad.

“The common theme has always been cops versus hippies, but the reality is that many law-enforcement officers agree that prohibition has failed,” said Dale Sky Claire, a spokesperson for the legalization campaign.

A spokesperson for the California Police Chiefs Association called the ad “completely false and misleading” and said police groups would oppose the ballot measure.