California Democratic Party supports Marijuana Legalization

Posted by Sagar Satapathy on June 22, 2016.

The Democratic Party, the largest political party in California, is now supporting ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana for recreational use in the state.

The decision came during the California Democratic Party’s executive board meeting in Long Beach on June 19, where the board voted to support the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state.

The Democratic Party endorses California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who earlier announced his support for the AUMA initiative to legalize marijuana for recreational purpose in the state.

At the May press conference Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said, “California will be asked to do something that will change the debate nationally in terms of failed drug policy. California is a game changer in this debate. It’s significant what’s happened in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and Oregon, but it will pale in comparison to the decision the taxpayers, the voters of this state will be asked this November.”

Around 60 percent of likely voters in California support the legalization of recreational marijuana, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. If AUMA qualifies for the state’s ballot in November, it would need more than 50 percent of votes to pass.

The AUMA would control, regulate and tax adult use, sale and cultivation of marijuana in California. The Act would legalize recreational use of marijuana, allowing those 21 and older to possess and use up to an ounce. The measure would also impose a 15% tax on retail sales of the drug and require the state to regulate the cultivation, distribution and sale of marijuana for recreational purpose.

The AUMA has already been supported by the NAACP, NORML, the California Medical Association and the California ACLU.

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