Supporters of a campaign have announced on Wednesday collecting enough signatures to qualify a voter initiative for the November ballot in California. The campaigners aim to legalize the use of recreational marijuana in the state. California is the highest pot producer compared to any other US state.
The well-funded and politically connected coalition has so far collected 600,000 signatures from registered voters, informs Sean Parker, former Facebook president and spearhead for the campaign. The campaigners require support from 365,000 voters ahead of a July 5 deadline.
The 62-page initiatives will make pot dearer for people under 21 and cops will be able to crack down easily on its illicit sales. California is the first US state to legalize medical marijuana two decades ago. Since then, law enforcers find it hard to burst the illegal network, reports ABC News, quoting Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. Newsom intends becoming the governor of California in 2018.
The Adult Use of Marijuana Act, proposed by the campaigners will allow Californians above 21 years to purchase marijuana and marijuana-infused products at licensed retail outlets. Each eligible state dwellers will be able to get one ounce of marijuana or its derivatives. The campaigners also propose to allow growing up to six pot plants for personal recreational use. Unlike smoking tobacco, that of weed will remain prohibited in public places, according to a report published in The Washington Post. The proposed law will also ensure strictest product quality and tracking system for either medical or recreational marijuana. It will also require separate licenses for growers, transporters and distributors. A 15% excise tax has been proposed for the sales of both recreational and medical marijuana. However, cities and counties will be allowed to prohibit marijuana related business or impose own fees and taxes, reports Times Colonist. The proposed measures are expected to generate $1 billion per year in new tax revenue for the state and local governments. If the draft law gets passed, the revenue proceeds will be used to cover regulatory costs and environmental mitigation. A portion of the revenue will be used for research on the effects of legalization, substance abuse treatment and other purposes. The initiative has already been supported by the California NAACP, California Medical Association and California Democratic Party. Meanwhile, the California Republican Party, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California Hospital Association and other groups have vowed for campaigning against the move.
California's Democrats have supported the proposal while Republicans have expressed their opposition towards legalization of recreational marijuana.
