According to a statement by California's Secretary of State, the recreational use of marijuana has received more votes than needed, 402,468 valid signatures, to qualify for General Election Ballot scheduled for November 8. The election is officially taking place on the said date, unless Donald Lyman and Michael Sutton, the promoters of the vote, decide to withdraw it.
If the California vote turnout is positive, the state agencies will be placed in charge of regulating the marijuana industry. There will be an excise tax, 15% of the sales price, that will be levied on retail sales of marijuana. However, medical marijuana will be exempted from certain taxes. The statute will also prohibit sales, marketing and advertising of marijuana to minors.
NPR reports that if passed, the measure will allow residents of California, aged above 21 years, to own up to an ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants for personal recreational use. If marijuana-related laws are relaxed, California will get $100 million excess budget, with sales and production reaching over a billion dollars. This money would be allocated towards education, prevention as well as treatment of substance abuse.
Reports point out that the hospitals, California doctors and health promoters are split over the issue. According to Rachel Barry, University of California, there is no room for preventive strategies in the marijuana measure and that the industry would try to maximize sales to increase their profits. Supporters, on the other hand, claim that the once marijuana is legalized, millions will be earned in local and state government taxes.
