Oakland voters have overwhelmingly approved Measure Z. Spearheaded by the Drug Policy Alliance Network and other groups, the measure will set the groundwork for decriminalizing marijuana while making private, adult cannabis use the lowest enforcement priority for police. It allows the police to focus their resources and energy on fighting violent crime and lowering the city's murder rate. The initiative will also raise funds for the city and allow medical marijuana users to buy their medicine from legitimate businesses.

Endorsers of Measure Z included public health groups, community leaders and elected officials. Rep. Barbara Lee, who represents Oakland in Congress, recorded a phone message to Oakland voters urging their support. The Bay Area has a long history of championing reforms that lead to desperately-needed changes on the state and national levels.
 
"Oakland voters clearly understood the 'war on drugs' has been a failure and detrimental to our community," said Judy Appel, attorney with the Drug Policy Alliance Network in Oakland. "Criminalizing marijuana has unfairly imprisoned thousands of nonviolent offenders, including a disproportionate number of people of color. Meanwhile, our police are wasting time and energy they could be using to focus on violent crime."