Cannabis-friendly mayor of Berkeley.
In response to Cal NORML's candidate questionnaire asking if he supports legalization, Arreguin replied, "Absolutely. I have always supported the legal use of medical marijuana and recreational use. I have also advocated for federal decriminalization of marijuana. As a member of the Berkeley City Council for the last 16 years, I have voted for many resolutions in support of federal and state policy to decriminalize, to expunge records of past convictions and call for a regulated legal market. I have also advocated for lowering state taxes. I authored the legislation in Berkeley to waive taxes due to economic hardship and to establish our local regulatory process for adult recreational use.
"I have been a strong advocate for safe access and decriminalization and I will fight to lower taxes, and establish fair regulations to allow the continued growth of the cannabis industry."
Candidate in race for State Senate District 7 on Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Arreguin indicated on Cal NORML's questionnaire that he thinks cannabis taxes are too high, and would support lowering them for all cannabis businesses.
He wrote, "I support the right of workers to use cannabis off work hours and not have it be a bar to hiring or to maintaining employment with some exceptions such as public safety jobs and jobs which involve heavy machinery."
He said, "I authored legislation to allow for cannabis lounges and cannabis events in Berkeley. I supported Assemblymember Haney’s law to allow for food to be served along with cannabis consumption lounges." (However, the Health Dept. has held up any lounges opening in Berkeley.)
PO Box 1293
Alameda, CA 94501