California has always been sort of weed friendly but now Californians are pushing legislature for legalization of the drug at the recreational level.
This isn’t the first time. In 2010, Prop 19 was proposed to regulate, control and tax cannabis. It was defeated by voters at 53.5 percent.
Now, following its neighboring states California might be next in line for recreational legalization.
In 1996, Prop 215 passed which allows patients to possess or cultivate for medical marijuana treatment as recommended by a doctor.
Prop 215 ensures people with a prescription won’t be prohibited from getting and growing what’s in ordinance within their county.
People have different views when talking about or dealing with weed.
“If legal, there would be less crime, it’s a drug but it doesn’t have a downside. It has many medicinal purposes. No one has ever died from smoking weed. I don’t get the stigma about weed. I don’t smoke but it can help,” said Isaiah Merriweather a Delta student.
Some of those views can be positive and some negative.
“I am pro medicinal marijuana. I don’t smoke but it’s helpful, I know people who actively use it in a medicinal way. If it’s not for medicinal purposes people shouldn’t have access to it,” said Farrakhan Muhammad.
Others couldn’t care less about what happens if legalization occurs.
“It’s whatever…” said Mariana Lopez, a Delta student.
California could potentially benefit if it legalizes recreational marijuana.
Legalization could bring a boom in the industry and could help the state stop losing money for citing, arresting and prosecuting marijuana offenders according marijuanapolicyproject.com.
If legalization occurs what does that mean for dispensary owners?
“Business owners will benefit but still would have to pay thirty five to fifty dollars in taxes for every one thousand they make, that is 3.5% and the tax can be higher. Dispensaries will mimic Colorado and they will be able to be specifically linked to a farm where their products grow” Said Terence Macius.
If Marijuana was legalized it would become more regulated and taxed. It would be treated like alcohol with the legal age being 21 instead of 18 like with medicinal marijuana, says marijuanapolicyproject.com.
According to a 2015 Public Policy Institute of California poll, 55 percent of Californians believe marijuana should be legal.
There is a prohibition on marijuana.
A ballot in November will determine if legalization is really coming to California. If residents vote yes that will mean possibly more revenue for the state and for the industry.