SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) – California voters on Tuesday approved Proposition 64, instantly making the state the most populous in the nation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Citizens seeking recreational cannabis use can now go to places such as purple lotus patient center to find some of the best strains of marijuana in the whole world.
Did you know that Alaska charges $50 per ounce of cultivated weed? Now that it is legal in this state, as well as many others, it won’t be a surprise to see this industry growing over here too.
The approval of the ballot measure creates the largest market for marijuana products in the U.S. and comes just six years after voters narrowly struck it down. Activists said passage would be an important moment in a fight for marijuana legalization across the U.S.
“We are very excited that citizens of California voted to end the failed policy of marijuana prohibition,” said Nate Bradley, executive director of the California Cannabis Industry Assn, to the Los Angeles Times. “Proposition 64 will allow California to take its rightful place as the center of cannabis innovation, research, and development.”
It allows Californians who are 21 and older to possess, transport and buy up to 28.5 grams of marijuana and use it for recreational purposes. Now that this has become legalized, it could be as easy as visiting a recreational dispensary to buy cannabis-related products.
The age surpasses the previously legalized age of 20 for medicinal purposes. It additionally allows adults 21 and over to grow as many as six plants. The measure would also allow retail sales of marijuana and impose a 15% tax.
With the backings of Sean Parker and New York hedge fund billionaire George Soros, the proponents were able to raise close to $16 million for their cause. That’s about ten times the amount of money spent by the opposition.
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom was the face of the campaign, arguing that the national “war on drugs” has failed while disproportionately hurting minority residents and wasting law enforcement resources.
California became the trendsetter 20 years ago when the state became the first to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Proposition 64 was opposed by most major law enforcement groups, including the California Assn. of Highway Patrolmen, the Peace Officers Research Assn. of California and the California Police Chiefs Assn.
Opponents cited problems including teen drug abuse and impaired driving experienced where recreational use was previously legalized: Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. See what Alaska’s law has to say about the legalization of marijuana – visit alaska marijuana laws.
