California Puts Legalizing Marijuana On November Ballot

California has firmly entrenched itself in the forefront of the national debate to legalize certain recreational drugs.  Supporters of the effort to legalize the possession of marijuana have collected enough votes to put the measure on the California ballot in November.  Supporters needed 433,971 signatures to put the measure on the ballot and they collected 694,248 signatures.  This puts the measure one step closer to being adopted.  If passed, the initiative would make it legal for adults of the age of 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use.  It has been illegal to possess up to an ounce of marijuana in California since 1975 when then Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that changed the law.  Up until 1975, judges were able to imprison people up to 10 years for possessing up to an ounce of marijuana.  Currently, people arrested with up to an ounce of marijuana can be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine up to $100.  The current initiative would allow local municipalities to set up a system which would allow them to tax the cultivation and selling of marijuana.

Supporters and opponents of the measures are gearing up for a big fight in November.  We will keep an eye out on this interesting effort.

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