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Another Marijuana Legalization Initiative Submitted
Snoop OG Kush medical marijuana (Photo by Michael Zampelli via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr)
Californians might get the chance to vote to legalize pot twice in 2014. The "Marijuana Control, Legaliztion and Revenue Act of 2014" was submitted to the state on Friday.
Headed by Californians for Marijuana Legalization and Control and Americans for Policy Reform, the proposed legislation aims to fully legalize the use of marijuana for adults 21 and older both medical and otherwise. David Downs at the East Bay Express has a good breakdown of what the initiative would do:
* shield medical marijuana rights in California
* eliminate sales taxes on medical marijuana
* legalize the use, sale, growth and processing of cannabis by adults over 21, subject to restrictions
* allow for 100 square-feet of pot-growing per individual on private property, indoors or out
* establish a Cannabis Control Commission to regulate and tax commercial pot growing, wholesale and retail
* set zoning rules for pot shops
* shield pot users from discrimination by utilities, banks and insurers
* shield parents who grow pot
* treat second hand pot smoke like tobacco smoke
* prevent federal pot law enforcement by state officials, except for out-of-state trafficking cases
* divvies up cannabis taxes among police, schools, drug abuse treatment, and other groups
In August the "California Cannabis Hemp Initiative" was submitted which would also legalize marijuana use for adults. It would restrict the use of genetically modified cannabis seeds and eliminate the drug testing of "cannabis metabolites".
Both initiatives have 150 days once they receive the official petition from the Attorney General's office to gather 504,000 valid voter signatures to make the ballot. CCHI has until February to do this.
In 2010 Californian voters rejected Proposition 19 that would have legalized marijuana with 53.5% of the vote. Los Angeles County voted it down 52.1%.
Will things change in 2014?
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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