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
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