Californians this November will vote on a measure that would legalize adult use and personal cultivation of marijuana. Russo called it an overdue change in the state's policy on marijuana.

"What we've been trying to do is fight a raging fire with a watering can," Russo said. "The better way is to cut off the oxygen."

Marijuana remains outlawed by the federal government. But Russo and others compare the ban on the drug to the country's failed prohibition against alcohol, saying it emboldens criminals dealing California's largest cash crop.

"You don't see anyone running across the border with a six pack" of beer, said Mauricio Garzon, a campaign coordinator working for the passage of the initiative. "You don't see people shooting people (over alcohol) in Chicago like you did during Prohibition."

Garzon said Russo is the state's first city attorney to back the measure publicly, though he said the campaign expects others will come forward soon and do the same. A number of retired law enforcement officials also support the measure.

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