LOS ANGELES – The recreational use of marijuana and hemp would become legal, with sales taxes imposed upon them, under an initiative going before California voters on Nov. 8.
Proposition 64 would also establish packaging, labeling, advertising and marketing standards and restrictions for marijuana products, including prohibiting marketing and advertising marijuana to minors.
The initiative also authorizes re-sentencing and destruction of records for prior marijuana convictions.
The measure would impose a state excise tax on retail sales of marijuana equal to 15 percent of the sales price and state cultivation taxes on marijuana of $9.25 per ounce of flowers and $2.75 per ounce of leaves.
The initiative allows for local regulation and taxation of marijuana and exempts medical marijuana from some taxation.
Passage of the initiative would result in net reduced costs ranging from tens of millions of dollars to potentially exceeding $100 million annually to state and local governments related to enforcing certain marijuana-related offenses, handling the related criminal cases in the court system and incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders, according to an analysis conducted by the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Department of Finance.
The analysis also found passage would result in net additional state and local tax revenues potentially ranging from the high hundreds of millions of dollars to more than $1 billion annually related to the production and sale of marijuana. Most of these funds would be required to be spent for specific purposes such as substance use disorder education, prevention and treatment.
Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant that is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its products. It can be refined into a variety of commercial items including paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food and animal feed.
Opponents — including Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. — argue that legalizing marijuana will lead to a sharp increase in highway fatalities and impaired driving, noting there is no current standard for determining if a driver is “impaired” by marijuana.
Opponents also argue the measure would permit marijuana farms near schools and public parks and will lead to a proliferation of “pot shops,” particularly in inner-city communities. Detractors also contend the measure would allow prime-time television advertisements for marijuana, exposing children to the drug.
Backers of the measure flatly deny that the proposition includes any such provision, and say it includes strict requirements to prevent marketing or sale of marijuana to children.
Read more about Proposition 64 at: http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/propositions/64/
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callingitasitis says
When this passes it will be like the numerous liquors stores in LA, there will be one store on every block. The only one who will get a head will be the FAT CATS who funded this propositions while leaving carnage in the minority communities. If they really wanted to legalize marijuana then the funders would just propose anyone can grow it for their own use without a criminal charge of growing without a permit from the government. There is a no money making scheme if for personal use only and no BIG money for the business Cartels. Then you would also put an end to the medical pot stores too. Just my thought.
troll hunter says
“…noting there is no current standard for determining if a driver is “impaired” by marijuana.”
The only thing I’ve ever agreed with Feinstein on…she’s correct in this regard. Not sure I totally buy into her “sharp increase in highway fatalities” histrionics, but I guess it’s possible there will be some attributable to pot.
In addition, Colorado has seen an uptick in armed robberies, mainly in pot shops because the feds won’t allow electronic transactions of weed sales…so the shops have lots of cash on hand.
Because of the 2 aforementioned “problems” associated with pot, I’m voting no unless/until there are adjustments made for those.
If you’re smart enough to sit at home and get high without risking other folks, it’s no concern of mine…
WatchForSlowDrivers says
BS – Violators who fail a field sobriety test will be prosecuted. Law enforcement needn’t have an idiot proof device to recognize intoxication. BAC measurement is not required to prove impairment by alcohol either.
Yes_On_64 says
Yes long overdue and we certainly have wasted too many resources and destroyed too many lives fighting an unwinnable war on our brethren to defeat a benign substance. Law enforcement will be relieved of wasting time and be allowed to pursue crime. Billions in tax revenue. Welcome to the 21st Century.
PPp!
Nikolas says
Pass this already!
It won’t be too long before marijuana/hemp is rescheduled federally as well. The war on drugs, specifically on marijuana, has been a travesty.
Pharmaceutical companies and the alcohol industry, are, as you would expect, vehemently opposed to its legalization…. I wonder why………………….
Ned says
Dude your high
aj says
yes on 64.
andie says
*you’re