On the Ballot: Proposition 64

The Big Question: Should California legalize recreational use of marijuana and establish certain sales and cultivation taxes?

The Big Picture:

The Consumer (You!)

• Adults ages 21+ may possess, transport, purchase, consume and share up to one ounce of marijuana and eight grams of marijuana concentrates (waxes and oils that can be vaporized) under state law
• Adults ages 21+ may grow up to 6 plants at home
• Marijuana use in public will remain illegal, unless used at licensed cafes/businesses licensed for on-site marijuana consumption
• Driving while impaired will remain illegal
• Two new state excise taxes will be imposed, one on cultivation ($9.25 per ounce for flowers and $2.75 per ounce for leaves) and one on sales/retail price (up to 15% tax)
• City and county governments will have authority to regulate and tax (additional) marijuana
• Medical marijuana will be exempt from some taxation

The State

• State agencies will license and regulate the marijuana industry
• Statewide standards and restrictions for marijuana products will be established for packaging, labeling, advertising, and marketing requirements
• Prohibits the marketing of marijuana to minors, protecting children
• Employers will be protected, companies may hire and fire based on drug tests
• Bans large-scale cultivation by delaying issuance of large cultivation licenses for the first 5 years, favoring small scale producers to keep large corporations from gaining a monopoly. State cap on size of marijuana farms will be removed after Jan. 1, 2023
• Legalizes industrial hemp production

Long-Term Fiscal Impact

• Additional annual state revenue of up to $1 billion – to be spent on drug research, drug treatment, law enforcement, environmental restoration, and youth programs (60% of revenue allotted)
• Saves state and local governments up to $100 million annually due to reduced legal, enforcement and incarceration costs
• Reduces criminal penalty for marijuana
• Launches large-scale, mass social experiment – California may become the largest state yet to legalize marijuana
• The measure could result in an increase in the consumption of marijuana, potentially resulting in an unknown increase in the number of individuals seeking publicly funded substance use treatments
• Results in costs for the state to regulate the commercial production and sale of marijuana
• Small marijuana farmers may be unable to compete with larger businesses when the five-year ban limiting growth to six plants is lifted and large businesses are able to apply for a license that allows unlimited amounts of marijuana cultivation

Some Well-Known Supporters of Prop. 64:

• Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D)
• U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) of Vermont
• New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, 2016 Libertarian presidential candidate
• Steven Downing, Deputy Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department
• California Democratic Party
• Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club
• California Young Democrats
• ACLU of California
• Los Angeles Times
• San Francisco Chronicle
• Orange County Register
• California Cannabis Industry Association
• California Medical Association
• Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing
• Progressive Christians Uniting
• California Nurses Association

Some Well-Known Opponents of Prop. 64:

• AA of Southern California
• California Hospital Association
• California Association of Highway Patrolmen
• California Police Chiefs Association
• DUID Victim Voices
• United States Senator Dianne Feinstein
• State Senator Joel Anderson
• State Senator Cathleen Galgiani
• State Senator Jim Nielsen
• Bishop Ron Allen, International Faith Based Coalition
• Randall Avila, Vice-Chair, City of Monterey Park Recreation and Parks Commission
• Dennis Bauer, Policy Advisor, Orange County Board of Supervisors

What to Expect on November 8, 2016?

Poll analysis suggests Prop. 64 will pass, but narrowly. Polls have ranged from 51-71% support, averaging 60% support for Prop. 64.

What’s next?

Submit your vote-by-mail ballots or head to the polls! Vote-by-mail ballots will be accepted on election day as long as they are postmarked by November 8, 2016. Additionally, you can submit your vote-by-mail ballot to any polling location on election day. If you have not received your vote-by-mail ballot or if your name does not appear on the roster of your polling location, ask for a provisional ballot. Whether you vote yay or nay on Prop 64, remember one thing: every vote counts!

See you at the polls.

-Kurvana