A fractured collection of groups advocating for the legalization of recreational marijuana in California has finally coalesced behind an initiative for the November 2016 ballot.
You’ve heard the phrase “two lawyers, three opinions”? You could just as easily apply it to backers of legalizing recreational marijuana in California. From growers to dispensary owners, industry groups to environmentalists – several factions have submitted competing initiatives in recent months.
Yet all know that to have any chance at success next year, they would need to unify behind a single measure. That has finally happened.
Backers of the measure to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana will have plenty of financial support, thanks to tech billionaire Sean Parker. But the initiative will likely face strong opposition from law enforcement groups.
Supporters must now gather more than 365,000 valid voter signatures to qualify it for the November 2016 ballot.
This story was produced by Capital Public Radio.