BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (LNS)—The Bakersfield City Council recently voted the death penalty for a second conviction for selling marijuana or illegal drugs. But the action is not expected to have any direct legal effect, since felony legislation has been preempted by the state.
Councilman Robert Whitemore, who introduced the legislation said, “Unless severe measures are taken an entire generation will be destroyed by dope.”
Whitemore acknowledged the unenforceability of the ordinance but said, “It has the value of notifying the legislature of the city’s strong feelings about dope.”
Mayor Hart said the ordinance would stiffen the attitude of the courts. Councilman Heisey, who earlier this month presented a bill to banish bizarre personages from the city said, “These dopers need to be put away for good. Let’s put a little fear into these people.”