Wilson, Legislators Vow State Will Comply With Drug Law

Gov. Pete Wilson and legislative leaders have told the Clinton administration they are confident that California will comply with the federal “smoke a joint, lose your license” law by April 7.

Unless California obeys the statute, the state stands to lose at least $92 million in U.S. highway construction and maintenance funds this year, 10% of its total allotment.

Since 1991, the federal anti-drug law has given states a choice. They must either enact their own “smoke a joint, lose your license” law, revoking or suspending licenses for any drug offense, regardless of whether the offense involves a motor vehicle, or declare their refusal to do so.

In a letter this week to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater, Wilson asserted that two competing compliance bills are in their final phases of legislative consideration and are expected to reach him for action soon.

The letter, also signed by Democratic and Republican leaders of both houses, said California “will achieve compliance by April 7.”

In Washington, highway officials did not return calls Wednesday seeking comment on the letter.

California’s 6-month-old “smoke a joint, lose your license” law expired March 1.

While it was in effect, 9,498 Californians involved in drug-related offenses lost their licenses for six months, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

On March 10, Slater, acting on an appeal by Wilson, agreed to give California additional time to enact legislation, but set March 18 as the deadline for the governor to tell him when compliance would occur.

The Legislature is divided on how to comply. The Assembly has passed a bill that would reenact the expired law. The Senate has approved a bill that goes in the opposite direction by declaring the state’s opposition to the U.S. law.

Wilson supports the Assembly bill, but his signature on either measure would satisfy the federal requirement for compliance.

Although the governor and lawmakers said the bills were in the final phases of the legislative process, neither bill is scheduled for hearings in the other house.

However, Senate leader Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) says he believes that both bills will be passed and signed into law by Wilson.

The bill the governor signs last would become the operative law. Lockyer indicated that if the Legislature approves the two bills, Democrats and Republicans could both claim political victory.