Despite all the drama stirred up from the 2016 Presidential Elections, California made history on November 8th. Move over Colorado and Washington, and save a spot at the dessert table for California. By a margin of 56%-44%, Californians voted to pass Proposition 64, making the state fifth to legalize recreational marijuana. Although the medical use of marijuana has been in the California law since 1996, the lengthy 60+ page proposition is complicated to decipher. Here is what you should know about the highs and lows of the new law.
First off, even though it is now legal for recreational use, getting your hands on the sticky green is more difficult than one would assume. Adult-use pot shops are not readily available, and you still need a patient card to purchase goods from a medical dispensary. California won’t start issuing licenses to shops until January 1, 2018. However, there are conditions that are effective immediately. If you are 21 years or older, you are legally allowed to use, possess, share, and grow cannabis in your home. And if do decide to grow your own marijuana, you are now limited to a garden of six plants, as opposed to the 12 you were allowed prior to the proposition. This means that Californians are now allowed the freedom and liberation of smoking, ingesting, and growing marijuana, and marijuana products simple because THEY FEEL LIKE IT. Just like you have the freedom to go to the store and buy a bottle of wine (if you are of age).
Although pot is legal for recreational use, don’t think you can walk through campus puffing on a joint on your way to your next class. Marijuana is still illegal under Federal law. And since most colleges, including ULV, are federally funded, drug and alcohol policies remain the same and in effect.
Additionally, adults cannot smoke or consume pot in public. In fact, getting caught smoking weed in tobacco-free areas is punishable of up to a $250 fine. Just to be safe, indulge in your pot amenities in the privacy of your own home. Edibles will also be regulated, and will now be made in low-doses, with a standard amount of THC. So, you’ll know exactly just how potent your slice of red velvet cake is. Edibles will be sold in child-proof packaging and will not appeal to children. And don’t worry, I’m sure gluten-free and vegan brownies will soon be available to cater to your diets.
Remember, this is a California law, not a federal law. This means that your pot must stay within the state, you cannot take it to Arizona when you go visit grandma for Christmas break, or to Cancun for Spring Break. It is illegal to cross state lines with your pot, either by plane, train, bus, or car. Additionally, it remains illegal to operate a vehicle, boat, or aircraft under the influence of any marijuana substance. So, enjoy yourself, but do so responsibly.
What does this mean for our justice system and those with past convictions? Past offenders will have the chance to get their records expunged or to possibly decrease their jailtime. And those under the age of 18 who are convicted with possession of marijuana will now be sent to drug counseling rather than jail. Additionally, under-aged offenders caught selling marijuana will be sent to county jail for up to six months, be fined $500, or both.
How will weed be taxed? There will be a cultivation tax per ounce (depending on flowers or leaves) and a 15% tax on the retail price. Revenues from the taxes will be deposited into a California Marijuana Tax Fund, and will be used to cover the costs of administering and enforcing the measure. It will then we dispersed to drug research, treatment, and enforcement. 10 million of that money is designated annually to the California universities to research the effects of the implementation of the proposition. 3 million will be going to the Department of the California Highway Patrol to develop protocols in determining whether a driver is impaired from marijuana consumption. Remaining revenue will go to youth programs, for drug education, prevention and treatment, including programs designed to reduce influenced driving.
Whether you voted for or against proposition 64, embrace the change and educate yourself. If you are of legal age and decide to partake in the newfound glory of the law, please do so responsibly. Know your rights, know the laws, don’t smoke in public, and please don’t smoke and drive. We have been given the chance to do right by this new law, and show the rest of the nation why steering into the path of a green nation is the right move. The stakes have never been higher, and we now have the POTential to make millions, or even billions in revenue. Whether your position is pro or con, sit back and watch California start growing money on trees.