nov 8, 2016 - Legalization of Recreational Marijuana in California

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On the 8th of November, 2016 California passed Proposition 64. The people of California voted 57.13% yes and 42.87% voted no. What this entailed is the legalization of recreational use of cannabis in the state of California for anyone above the age of 21. Proposition 64 also included taxes on any cannabis product where the tax revenue generated from recreational cannabis will be distributed across California. The revenue would be divided with 60% going towards youth programs, 20% to environmental cleanup and the final 20% to public safety. The legalization of recreational cannabis was not only influenced by public opinion, but the billion dollar investors who lobbied for its legalization. These investors would financially benefit from the legalization of recreational use due to their investments in the growing industry. The interests of the government were also at stake, as the government of California would have a much larger budget with these taxes.

The passing of Proposition 64 shows the development of the cannabis industry and its role in society. In less than one hundred years, it has flipped between being regulated, made illegal, and then finally legal. A lot of misinformation has built up the mischaracterizations of marijuanas effects and danger, mainly the War on Drugs. At the same time, society has significantly benefited from its legalization in recent years medically, economically, politically and socially.

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