Driven by strong popular support and promises of increased tax revenue in a budget-strapped state, proponents of marijuana legalization in California may see their pipe dreams become reality this November.

If the initiative passes in November, the state would be allowed to regulate marijuana use, growth and sale in a manner similar to the regulation of alcohol. The measure, if passed, would allow for adults 21 and older to possess less than one ounce of marijuana for personal use. Currently, possession of less than one ounce is a misdemeanor that carries a $100 fine.

The initiative’s proponents emphasize the potential economic gains that would come from sales taxes and lowered costs for processing the misdemeanors.

Currently, Stanford’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) handles cases of marijuana possession and use on campus.

“[DPS] enforces the laws currently prohibiting the possession or use of marijuana unless with a valid and current medical marijuana card,” wrote DPS spokesperson William Larson in an e-mail to The Daily.

DPS handled 34 marijuana-related cases in 2009, 24 cases in 2008 and 22 cases in 2007, according to Larson. Not all the cases handled by DPS involved students. He was unable to comment on DPS’ estimate of the percentage of regular marijuana users on campus that receive penalties from campus law enforcement officers.

“Who’s going to report you?” asked one student, who was granted anonymity because of the legal sensitivity of the issue. “If anyone is upset with someone’s smoking habits, they would probably go to the R.A. [resident assistant] first rather than the police.”

Larson said DPS practices would change to reflect new laws if the initiative is passed in November, but he would not be more specific because the bill’s passage is still uncertain.

In regard to DPS’ effectiveness in enforcing marijuana laws on campus, “as with any law, we enforce it to serve as both a deterrent and to hold those accountable for violations,” Larson said.