Will California Legalize Recreational Marijuana?

Nov 17, 2014 | MMJ News

Though a resolution to legalize recreational marijuana failed to pass in California in 2014, the issue is certain to continue taking a top spot in political debates for the next year. Some are predicting that California will join the short but growing list of states with legal recreational marijuana in 2016.

California has had legal medicinal marijuana for almost two decades after it was approved in 1996, but legalizing recreational marijuana has been more difficult to agree upon. With a thriving black market for pot and suspected large numbers of unnecessary medicinal users, advocates for change point out that the positives outweigh the negatives when it comes to the legalization of marijuana.

Few in Colorado would disagree. When they legalized recreational marijuana on January 1, 2014, the state was expecting new revenue from taxes and fees, but they also anticipates some backlash. What has occurred is a windfall in state revenues that legislators had to determine how to spend and very few negative incidents. While there will always be those who point out accidents or violence that involves marijuana, one must ask whether or not alcohol or another substance would not have been substituted if the marijuana was not available. Overall, police in Colorado have been very pleased with the lack of marijuana related incidents since its legalization almost a year ago.

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The politics of pot remain local in California

Nov 4, 2014 | MMJ News

By LISA LEFF
At Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Medical marijuana dispensaries are outlawed in the Southern California city of Santa Ana, but that hasn’t stopped pot shops from flourishing.

Officials estimate there are at least 60 doing business, even though the city has repeatedly gone to court, issued fines, cut off water and power to storefronts, and called in federal drug agents and local police to enforce the ban.

This fall, like several other cities and counties in California, Santa Ana is trying a new tactic for regulating pot – the ballot box. Recognizing its losing battle against weed, the Santa Ana City Council is asking voters to consider a measure that would allow pot dispensaries under strict operating rules.

The proposal came after medical marijuana activists seeking to end the prohibition on shops qualified a much more liberal initiative for the city ballot.

Voters in Alaska and Oregon will decide next week whether their states should follow Washington and Colorado in legalizing recreational use of marijuana. And Californians might see a similar measure on the state ballot in 2016.

But for now, the politics of pot remain local in California.

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Medical pot dilemma: Where to get seeds?

Oct 31, 2014 | MMJ News

CARLA K. JOHNSON
The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) – As more states legalize medical marijuana, there’s one stage in the process nobody wants to talk about: the part where people still have to break the law.

After growers obtain licenses, plan for security and build facilities, they then must obtain their first seeds or cuttings – while regulators turn a blind eye.

“It has to be hush-hush,” said Bradley Vallerius, an attorney focused on the emerging industry in Illinois. “I’ve seen the moment where the client realizes this is a problem” – and wonders how they’re supposed to get started.

The situation is known as the “immaculate conception” or the “first seed” problem. Those involved see it as an absurd consequence of the nation’s patchwork of laws, with 23 states allowing medical marijuana sales, Colorado and Washington state allowing recreational use and a federal prohibition in place.

While marijuana may not be hard to find, getting the first seeds for medical operations often involves either descending into the underground market or crossing state lines – a violation of state and federal laws.

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DOJ says California marijuana raids will continue until controls improve

Oct 20, 2014 | MMJ News

By David Downs

at SFgate.com

The three year-old federal crackdown on medical cannabis businesses in California will continue, a Dept. of Justice official told the Los Angeles Times last week.

Deputy Atty. Gen. James M. Cole told the Times: “If you don’t want us prosecuting [marijuana users] in your state, then get your regulatory act together,” he said.

Eighteen years after Californians legalized medical marijuana and called for a statewide cannabis program, legislators again failed to enact one in 2014 session. Instead, California has left issues of mmj cultivation, distribution and sales to cities, the majority of which ban dispensaries.

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California Could Net Billions by Legalizing Marijuana

Sep 30, 2014 | MMJ News

California’s State Board of Equalization has estimated that $1.4 billion could be netted annually by legalization of recreational marijuana. For a state that has struggled with its budget for years, this seems like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. While some politicians have pushed for taking advantage of this possible revenue stream, a recent vote to change California marijuana standards failed to pass.

California already allows medical marijuana by doctor prescription and hauls in over $100 million each year in revenues, but that number is dwarfed by the amount that could be earned through legalizing recreational use. Not only would tax revenues skyrocket, but savings would also be recognized through reduced law enforcement efforts.

While some expenses would be incurred in order to set up a system of regulation around legalized recreational marijuana, similar to what already exists for medical marijuana, most experts project that California could still net well over $1 billion dollars annually. California NORML, an organization dedicated to reforming marijuana laws, estimates that California could earn revenue of $1 billion per year with a simple $1 per joint tax. That’s not taking into account the revenues earned through sales of other products, dispensary fees, or any other tax related to marijuana sales.

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A look at the key marijuana legalization votes in 2014

Sep 30, 2014 | California Marijuana Laws, Marijuana Legalization, MMJ News

By Katy Steinmetz,

At TIME

Election Day this year will be big on pot.

The battle over legalizing recreational marijuana in California—the big enchilada that may tilt legalization not only in the U.S. but other countries—is already being set for 2016. But while many reformers’ eyes are focused on the next presidential election, this year’s votes on marijuana initiatives have the power to shape that fight.

Here are the races to watch in November…

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