Oregon Public Broadcasting

California legislators are considering loosening marijuana laws, to cope with a yawning budget hole. April Baer reports that Oregon police officers are keeping a wary eye on the discussion.

Todd Anderson is President of the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association. If lawmakers in Sacramento decriminalize marijuana so they can tax it, Anderson says California police won’t be the only ones affected.

Todd Anderson   “Much like what happened when the legal drinking age in the state of Idaho was 18-19., and people would cross the borders to obtain their alcohol there, Oregonians may attempt to do the same thing, cross state lines to purchase marijuana legally, come back to Oregon where it’s illegal and put that up for sale.”

For now, Bay Area Rep Tom Ammiano’s proposal will be discussed in committee. It’s unlikely to make it to a vote before January.

California Governor Schwarzenegger says he’s open to a robust debate on the idea.

California’s illegal pot industry has an estimated worth of $14 billion per year.