Marijuana legalization is up for grabs. On the ballot: will California legalize marijuana for recreational use this November? Voters will have the opportunity to make their voice heard. Prop 64 seeks to legalize adult use of marijuana for “nonmedical purposes.” (1)
Big News on the West Coast! Adult Use of Marijuana Act Makes California Ballot
— HIGH TIMES (@HIGH_TIMES_Mag) June 30, 2016
LegalizeCA2016.com (2) provides the following facts in support of legalizing the drug:
In Colorado, “over $135 million was raised in taxes just in 2015.” (3)
In Washington, “filings for low-level marijuana offenses are down 98% for adults 21 and older. All categories of marijuana law violations are down 63% and marijuana-related convictions are down 81%.” (4)
Arguments against Prop 64 include the idea that, “Prop. 64 will open the door for global corporate interests such as big tobacco and liquor companies to move in and dominate the industry.” (5)
According to noon64.net, “The California Association of Highway Patrolmen strongly oppose Proposition 64 because it has no standard for marijuana impaired driving –none. They cite a recently-released AAA Foundation study in the State of Washington where fatalities doubled in auto crashes involving marijuana.” (6)
Proposition 64 (via http://www.lao.ca.gov/ballot/2016/Prop64-110816.pdf).
Marijuana Legalization. Initiative Statute.
Yes/No Statement
“A YES vote on this measure means: Adults 21 years of age or older could legally grow,
possess, and use marijuana for nonmedical purposes, with certain restrictions. The state would
regulate nonmedical marijuana businesses and tax the growing and selling of medical and
nonmedical marijuana. Most of the revenue from such taxes would support youth programs,
environmental protection, and law enforcement.
A NO vote on this measure means: Growing, possessing, or using marijuana for nonmedical
purposes would remain illegal. It would still be legal to grow, possess, or use marijuana for medical
purposes.” (7)
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Sources
1. Proposition 64. Marijuana Legalization. Initiative Statute. July 20, 2016. Retrieved via http://www.lao.ca.gov/ballot/2016/Prop64-110816.pdf.
2. .
3. David Downs. February 10, 2016. SF Gate. “Colorado pot sales hit $1 billion per year.” Retrieved via http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2016/02/10/colorado-pot-sales-hit-1-billion-per-year/.
4. Drug Policy Alliance report. July, 2015. “Marijuana Legalization in Washington After 1 Year of Retail Sales and 2.5 Years of Legal Possession.” Retrieved via http://www.drugpolicy.org/resource/marijuana-legalization-washington-after-1-year-retail-sales-and-25-years-legal-possession.
5. R.E. Graswich. July 13, 2016. California County News. “Cops, Growers Unite Against Prop 64.” Retrieved via http://www.californiacountynews.org/news/2016/07/cops-growers-unite-against-prop-64.
6. No On 64. http://noon64.net/.
7. http://www.lao.ca.gov/ballot/2016/Prop64-110816.pdf
