To paraphrase a stoner classic, California is one toke closer to the line of legal recreational marijuana, with an initiative headed to the ballot in November. Secretary of State Alex Padilla said Tuesday that proponents raised more than 606,000 signatures, far exceeding the 366,000 needed to qualify for the November 8 general election ballot.
The measure has been supported by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Facebook president Sean Parker.
And while the opening monologue for this Friday’s Real Time With Bill Maher on HBO just wrote itself, the ballot is serious business for the state: Estimates for annual revenue from legal pot have reached as high as $1 billion.
If approved by voters, the California measure would allow adults 21 and older to buy an ounce of marijuana and “marijuana-infused products” at licensed outlets. Californians also could grow their own — up to six marijuana plants for personal use.
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