California Legalizes Marijuana for Recreational Use

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Summary: California joins four other states and the District of Columbia to legalize recreational marijuana use.

Proposition 64 was approved by voters Tuesday. The measure makes California the most populated state in the country to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Just six years ago California narrowly rejected a similar measure.

  

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Executive director of the California Cannabis Industry Assn. Nate Bradley said, “We are very excited that citizens of California voted to end the failed policy of marijuana prohibition. Proposition 64 will allow California to take its rightful place as the center of cannabis innovation, research and development.”

Law enforcement officials are not as pleased with the passage for fear of the misuse it may pose by the public. Chief Ken Corney said, “We, of course, disappointed that the self-serving moneyed interest behind this marijuana business plan prevailed at the cost of public health, safety, and the wellbeing of our communities.”

See Tougher “Stoned Driving” Rule to Stay in Washington.

He added, “We will take a thorough look at the flaws in Proposition 64 that will negatively impact public health and safety, such as the initiative’s substandard advertising restrictions and lack of prosecutorial tools for driving under the influence of marijuana, and begin to develop legislative solutions.”

Proposition 64 allows Californians, 21 and older, to transport, possess, buy, and use up to 1 ounce of marijuana for recreational use as well as grow up to six plants. A 15 percent tax will be imposed at retail marijuana shops.

Twenty years ago California paved the way for the legalization of marijuana by making it legal for medical use. Medical use is also legal in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Four states were voting on medical use this year – North Dakota, Florida, Arkansas, and Montana.

Recreational use is legal in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia. Four other states were voting on legalizing recreational marijuana – Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Arizona. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law.

Read DOJ Says It Won’t Go After State Marijuana Laws for Recreational Use.

Do you think marijuana should be legal? Tell us in the comments below.

To learn more about recreational marijuana, read Ohio Not Ready for Medical or Recreational Marijuana.

Photo: flickr.com