California voters rejected recreational marijuana use in 2010. The issue will likely be on the November ballot again this year, and polls show it has a good chance of passing.
The proposal called the “Adult Use of Marijuana Act,” received enough signatures to ensure a place on the ballot this fall. The measure would allow anyone over the age of 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational use and to grow up to six plants. However, consumption of marijuana would be illegal in public places and within 1,000 feet of a school while children are there.
The Christian Science Monitor says public polling shows, this time, the initiative has a broad coalition of support.
A March poll suggests a diverse majority of Californians is in favor the legalization of marijuana. The bump from the 53 percent who said “no” to the 2010 ballot measure comes not only from the predictable demographics (younger, Democratic), but also surprising ones. The wider support shows a shift in attitudes toward marijuana in the country’s most populous state, as Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska have shown how a state and its counties and municipalities can oversee the legalization of marijuana.
The resulting taxes from legalization could generate up to $1 billion for the state.
