Oakland, CA: Proponents of a statewide ballot initiative to legalize marijuana use in California told the Los Angeles Times this week that they have gathered the sufficient number of signatures to place the measure on the November 2010 ballot.
Sponsored by Oaksterdam University, the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 seeks to allow California counties to regulate the possession, use, production, and sale of non-commercial quantities of marijuana for those age 21 years or older. The measure would not alter the state’s existing medical marijuana laws.
Petitioners reported that they have collected over 680,000 signatures, 57 percent more than the estimated 434,000 needed to qualify for the ballot. Supporters are expected to turn over their signatures to the Secretary of State’s office for verification in February.
In April, a California Field Poll reported that 56 percent of California voters supported taxing and regulating the recreational adult use and sale of marijuana. Last week a nationwide Angus Reid Public Opinion Poll of 1,004 adults found that 53 percent of Americans, including over 60 percent of registered Democrats, support legalizing cannabis.
A legislative bill in the California Assembly, AB 390 – the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act – is scheduled to be voted on by the Assembly Committee on Public Safety on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. If approved, the measure is expected to be acted on by the State Assembly Committee on Health later that same day.
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500 or visit: http://www.taxcannabis.org.