John Rucker
A Professional Perspective on the Legalization of Marijuana
Featured Interview with John Rucker
By Christina Angulo, Katie Blacksmith, Hannah Fiorio, Luke Haywood, Brian Talbott, Nicole Walker, & Heather Ward
John Rucker is the Assistant City Manager of Chico and a principal architect of the Chico Great Debate. His main goal for the Debate this spring is not to answer the question of whether or not to legalize marijuana; he wants, rather, to construct a public space where, through civil discourse, community members on all sides of a contentious issue can come together to learn about facts and perspectives connected to that issue. Rucker sees this model of civil exchange as part of our American heritage; he noted that before "sound bites" on television, people came together in meeting halls and other spaces to listen to important issues discussed and debated, often for hours at a time.
As a city adminstrator, a part-time university instructor, and a former law enforcement officer, Rucker is used to thinking about public issues from multiple perspectives. His own view of the current marijuana controversy is currently unresolved and open-minded; he hopes that whatever California voters decide about whether or not to legalize marijuana in the next election, the results will be positive for the state and for the Chico community.
In considering the complexity of the marijuana issue, Rucker notes that just trying to sort out the zoning ordinances where future dispensaries might be located has proven a challenge. Because even legally approved medical marijuana cannot be sold near schools, it has not yet proven possible to find a suitable area for dispensaries. He suggests that future dispensaries would be located outside of city limits and zoned with agricultural areas. According to Rucker, "Where they allow cigarette smoking may be where marijuana will be allowed to smoke."
Rucker commented that, "If the stigma is gone, marijuana use becomes solely a social issue." It would seem naïve, according to Rucker, for us to legalize marijuana and not expect to see its social approval rating rise. Whether this will make the drug more or less alluring to underage users is unclear, since some minors use substances to express rebellion while others use a socially approved substance like alcohol to appear more adult.
Rucker notes that legalizing marijuana could make Chico safer in regards to growing, robberies, and other drug-related criminal acts. As an example, he described how a residents of a house in downtown Chico involved in growing marijuana were robbed repeatedly, but they could not report due to the fact they were growing illegally.
But on the con side of the legalization debate, Rucker cautions that out-of-state criminals might see a "legalized marijuana state" as very attractive. "How," he asked, "will we regulate an influx of people who come into California in order to use the land and/or processing facilities to grow marijuana and then leave after utilizing our legal resources? What will prevent them from eaving the land or the building they were using to grow their pot a mess or trashed? How will we avoid property damage and expenses associated with regulating a potential illegal flow of marijuana out of the state?"
According to a poll taken in late January, Rucker stated that 59% of Californians are for the legalization of marijuana. Rucker believes that many members of the police force may have mixed feelings about legalization. On the one hand, charged with keeping the order, police do not need a citizenry with multiple easy ways to become drugged and less responsible. On the other hand, fighting marijuana crimes interferes with declining police resources that might better be used in addressing more violent or costly offenses.
Rucker's private view of the marijuana debate remains unclear. What is clear is his strong concern for the community in which he lives. "Understanding the marijuana issue," he states, "is part of our responsibility as voters and as members of the Chico community. If marijuana is legalized, is our community ready for the changes that could bring? Whatever is decided by law, can we as a community adapt and find a way to remain open to and supportive of one another?"
How we act locally influences the models of action that are available globally, according to Rucker. The Great Debate is part of his effort to build effective public spaces for community participants to engage one another in sharing ideas and shaping a jointly-owned future.
