Prop 64: The argument for Legalizing Recreational Marijuana

Californians will be deciding whether or not to tax and legalize marijuana with Proposition 64.

Still illegal on all levels with the feds, but California said yes to medical use in 1996.
Marijuana is one of the budding topics this election season.

California voters poised to decide again — they said no four years ago — whether or not to approve recreational use of pot.

"I voted against it already, I believe that as a child of the late 60s and early 70s when we heard about how marijuana was illegal and destructive and damaging to our children, this would reverse all of history," said Palm Desert resident, Marianne Bouldin.

"I’m for it because it will help people who really are medically in need be able to get it a lot easier and it will probably also drive the medical marijuana prices down," said Steven Brantley of Palm Springs.

"We have young grandsons, daughters and I don’t want them to be tempted, I don’t want to make it easy."
"Have a deep concern in increase in traffic problems due to intoxication from marijuana," said Brian and Phyllis Coosaiah of Palm Desert.

He isn’t the only one concerned about the roads, the Auto Club of Southern California is saying no to Prop 64.

"After the state of Washington legalized marijuana for recreational use, the number of fatal crashes involving a driver who recently tested positive for marijuana use more than doubled. That is alarming to us as California and four other states consider legalizing marijuana for recreational use," said Doug Shupe of the Auto Club of Southern California. 

The proposition would add a tax on cultivation and sales which would be going to a range of enforcement, research, and education programs.

So far 22 million dollars has been spent in support with only $1.5 million against with much from law enforcement associations.

Meanwhile, the city of Desert Hot Springs is cashing in on this green crop by welcoming a wave of marijuana cultivators to the city.

"The city of Desert Hot Springs has a half a million dollars coming in this and maybe close to a million dollars next year but over the next five to ten years it could be tens of millions of dollars and with Prop 64 possibly passing, this could be a very positive step towards those revenues coming in quicker," said Desert Hot Springs Mayor Scott Matas.

Medical marijuana dispensaries are growing across the desert with some saying it’s a healing agent that could help more people.

"I smoke because of my anxiety and stress and whatnot, and being able to smoke marijuana, it would be nice to smoke it more freely," said Twentynine Palms resident, Richard Borunda.

It was 20 years ago that California became the first state to approve the use of medical marijuana. 
If Proposition 64 passes, all you need to be is over 21.

"Progress is not perfection, I think there’s definitely some things in regards to the criminal aspects that as a provider for patient care, I am concerned with," said Green Pearl Organic’s owner, Nicole Salisbury.

Salisbury is worried about the amount of pot a person could carry on them, but still they support and are preparing for Prop 64.

"We use a system that’s already developed, it’s already been used and tested. They used it in Colorado they use it in Washington, Oregon, Colorado already and all it does is allow me to mark patients recreational, medical," said Salisbury.

You couldn’t smoke in public places, and basically pot would be put in the same class as alcohol.
Soon voters will decide if they will weed out the law, or bring in the bud.