IMPERIAL BEACH Libertarian Party vice presidential nominee and former California Superior Court Judge Jim Gray on Friday endorsed a ballot measure to lift Imperial Beachs ban on medical marijuana collectives.

Gray, a former federal prosecutor and long-standing advocate to end the war on drugs, told U-T San Diego that drug prohibition is the biggest failed policy in our history, second only to slavery.

At a news conference in Imperial Beach Friday, Gray endorsed not only Proposition S, also known as the Safe Access Ordinance of Imperial Beach, but three other ballot initiatives seeking regulation and access for Southern California patients to medical marijuana: propositions H in Del Mar, W in Solana Beach and T in Lemon Grove.

He said that despite federal crackdowns, local governments are entitled to pass laws that are not consistent with federal laws. He compared the state and local movements for safe access with the beginning of the end for alcohol prohibition. That movement was led by states fed up with the increased criminal activity that came with prohibition.

Gray is running on the Libertarian ticket with presidential nominee and former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson.

Eugene Davidovich, a member of the San Diego chapter of Americans for Safe Access, which sponsored the citizen-led initiative in Imperial Beach, said Grays endorsement is a boon.

We have a well-respected figure in the judicial system, a judge from the Superior Court of Orange County, a very conservative part of Southern California, coming down now to draw attention to the fact that patients need safe access to medical marijuana, Davidovich said. Its very significant that its not only a retired judge, but a vice presidential nominee, and its a city right on the border with Mexico, a place where there are a lot of problems related to the illegal drug trade.

Proposition S has received endorsements from across the political spectrum, Davidovich added: The San Diego County Democratic Party, the Libertarian Party and the Green Party of San Diego County.

Republican-endorsed City Council candidate Erika Lowery has also formally voiced her support for the measure.

A recent federal crackdown on medical marijuana dispensaries across California has some local governments backing down from regulations allowing them under the states 1996 Compassionate Use Act.

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Libertarian VP nominee and former judge endorses Prop. S