The legalization of marijuana has always been a controversial issue, with people from all walks of life advocating on both sides of the debate. But have you ever heard of a newspaper calling for the legalization of marijuana?

Well you better believe it - and if you guess what newspaper it is you probably wouldn’t be a surprised.

According to an article I found in Lodi News Sentinel from Feb. 21^, 1976, the Oakland Tribune published a Sunday editorial calling for the legalization of marijuana. It became the first newspaper in California to make such statement.

In the article, “conservative” was the adjective used to describe our beloved Tribune. There also were two quotes from the newspaper that makes claims that are relevant to today’s marijuana legalization debate.

“On the marketplace could be placed under regulations just as alcohol and tobacco are now,” said the paper. This is exactly what the measure on the November ballot plans to do if passed. Regulate the medical marijuana dispensaries in the state, along with taxing their yearly profits.

The second quote continued to advocate, but addressed, another component of the legalization battle. “As it is, just as bootlegging was in the prohibition era, the system of distribution by drug pushers is the real problem."

The term “drug pushers” can clearly be translated to “drug dealers.” But what’s most important is the points being conveyed.

The Oakland Tribune took a huge risk in publishing a editorial of this type. Regardless of being considered “conservative,” how many publications would do something like this in 2010?

See Oakland Local's coverage of the marijuana business here.