SacBee: "As California weighs legalization, pot already part of everyday life"

Sacramento Bee (CA):

John Wade, 43, a San Francisco commercial lighting specialist, takes a quick hit from a marijuana cigarette on the golf course to steady himself before putting.

Sarika Simmons, 35, of San Diego County, sometimes unwinds after the kids are asleep with tokes from a fruit-flavored cigar filled with pot.

And retiree Robert Girvetz, 78, of San Juan Capistrano, recently started anew - replacing his occasional martini with marijuana.

"It's a little different than I remember," he says. "A couple of hits - and wooooo ... "

As California voters prepare to decide in November whether to become the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational use, a Field Poll conducted for The Sacramento Bee reveals that weed already is deeply woven into society. MORE...

Howie P.S.: This story was reprinted in today's Seattle Times on the front page.