Marijuana Initiative Placed On California Ballot

Sacramento, CA — California’s Secretary of State on Tuesday officially announced that a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana will go before voters in November.

It would designate state agencies to license and regulate recreational marijuana. It would also impose a state sales tax of 15% on marijuana and a state cultivation tax of $9.25 per ounce of flowers and $2.75 per ounce of leaves. In addition, it would establish marketing standards related to packaging, advertising and labeling. Local jurisdictions would be able to establish additional taxes and regulations.

Specifically, users could possess up to an ounce of marijuana for private use and permit personal cultivation of up to six plants. Users would need to be 21 years of age.

If approved, California would join multiple other states on the West Coast allowing recreational marijuana use. The list includes Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.