The Early Days
California is called the “Green State” due to its long history with marijuana which spans over a century. The Poison and Pharmacy Act of 1907 prohibited the use of opium, cocaine, and morphine without a doctor’s prescription. In 1913, an addendum was made which included marijuana on the list of controlled substances and made California to become one of the first state to ban cannabis. These negative stigmas on cannabis will soon change as California became the first state to independently consider the legalization of marijuana. In 1972, California introduced Proposition 19.
Proposition 19 intended to decriminalize the possession and sale of marijuana for adults. However, in a publication from The Times, readers were asked if they want to risk highly increasing marijuana use. The publication made people question the legalization of cannabis. The law wasn’t successful as 66.5% of the people voted against, although successful in many legislative districts. By 1975 the majority of marijuana-related arrests were mostly based on possession, costing the state $100 million yearly. During that time, San Francisco mayor George Moscone introduced Senate Bill 95 which downgraded possession from a felony to a misdemeanor. Senate Bill 95 sought to reduce the rate and costs of marijuana-related arrests.
california Medical Marijuana
By the end of the 1900s, California was the first state to legalize the use of medical marijuana with the implementation of Proposition 215. Under Proposition 215, California’s groundbreaking 1996 medical marijuana law, it became legal for medical marijuana patients to possess and cultivate marijuana if they were recommended by a physician. Furthermore, Proposition 215 authorized patients’ collectives to sell, produce and distribute medical marijuana under a law known as SB 420 (2004). However, the passage of Proposition 64 in 2016 made way for SB 420 collectives to be integrated into California’s current regulatory and licensing system. Under Proposition 64, all operators must now obtain licensing for all cannabis activities. These activities include retail, delivery, transportation, testing labs, distribution, nursery and manufacturing.
california RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA
On November 8, 2016, voters approved the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. (now known as Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act “MAUCRSA”.) California allows adults to possess and privately consume a maximum of one ounce of cannabis. Adults are also allowed to cultivate a maximum of six plants for personal use at their private residence. Notable to cannabis business operators, current California law permits the commercial sale, distribution, and production of medical and adult use cannabis at state-licensed facilities. However, local city and county governments have the power to stop the functioning of cannabis businesses in their jurisdiction. This began on January 1, 2018.
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