March 28, 2024
California recreational marijuana use edges toward ballot box
SACRAMENTO – A measure to legalize marijuana for recreational use in California appears headed for the November 8th ballot.

A coalition that includes former Facebook President Sean Parker tells the Los Angeles Times it has collected 600,000 signatures, more than enough to qualify the initiative.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and other supporters of the measure kicked off a campaign for voter approval of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act on Wednesday in San Francisco.

The measure would allow adults ages 21 and older to possess, transport and use up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational purposes and would allow individuals to grow as many as six plants.

The coalition, which includes some law enforcement and civil rights leaders, needed to collect 365,880 signatures of registered voters to qualify the initiative, which would also place a 15% tax on retail sales of the drug.

The use of marijuana in public and while driving would remain illegal.

If elections officials verify that the signatures are sufficient and voters approve the initiative, California would join Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Oregon as states that allow recreational use of marijuana.

Opposition is already organizing behind groups such as Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana, which formed to defeat a 2010 legalization initiative that was rejected by 53% of voters. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Story Date: May 12, 2016
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