California's largest labor union supports pot legalization

The state council of the Service Employees International Union, the largest labor union in California, has endorsed Proposition 19, the initiative on the November ballot that seeks to legalize marijuana.

The endorsement, announced Tuesday, could boost the campaign, which has not been able to raise enough money for television advertisements and is relying on grass-roots outreach.

The SEIU, which says it has more than 700,000 members in California, is a significant political force in state politics, although it is not clear how much money or muscle it will put toward passage of the measure....

The pro-legalization campaign has made labor a key component of its election strategy. Besides Rush's local, the initiative also has won support from the council that oversees political activities for the UFCW in California, the Northern California council of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Communications Workers of America Local 9415 and Sign Displays and Allied Crafts Local 510.