Sources say that The California Medical Association is having a new marijuana legalization initiative in California, as we speak. The California Medical Association, representing more than 41,000 physician members statewide, is the largest professional association of doctors in the state.
The state of California is well-known for its former initiative of allowing the use of this drug, as being the first state to legalize medical marijuana.
That was in the past. Now, two decades later, the voters are in the position of answering whether the recreational use of the drug should be legalized or not.
Supporting this initiative, the medical group has released a declaration, stating that the most effective way to protect the public health is to tightly control, track and regulate marijuana and to educate the public on its health impacts, not through ineffective prohibition.
Now, there are a few questions in line regarding this matter.
First of all, who is behind this effort? The official proponents are Donald Lyman, a retired physician, and Michael Sutton, a conservationist. Among the project’s financiers is billionaire venture capitalist Sean Parker. The initiative’s highest-profile political supporter is Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Secondly, who would be in charge of this decision? Licensing and regulation of marijuana would be handled by a Bureau of Marijuana Control within the Department of Consumer Affairs. The Department of Food and Agriculture would be charged with licensing and overseeing marijuana cultivation, while Department of Public Health would license and oversee manufacturing and testing.
Thirdly, what’s going on in other states? The answer is that all the four states – Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska, and the District of Columbia – have legalized recreational pop already.
Another aspect, could one grow weed in their own home? Personal cultivation is allowed, but no more than six plants could be cultivated, harvested, dried or processed in each home or apartment, or on its grounds.
And finally, would legal marijuana cost more? On this matter, some proponents say they actually expect the prices will drop some once the licenses are issued and after the first harvest.
Taking all of the above information into consideration, Dr. Steven Larson, CMA president, issued a statement that The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana offers a new, modern perspective. In this statement he points out the measure as being comprehensive and thoughtfully constructed.
The opinions are, of course, divided.
It remains to see if this new initiative will come into force or not.