"If passed, it sends a signal throughout the country that Californians believe it is time to change the law," said Mark Baldassare, executive director of the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan research group based in San Francisco, in an interview yesterday. "It would have some far reaching consequences in terms of the discussion on the legalization of marijuana in other states and federal level."
The proposal would allow people age 21 and older to possess and transport as an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana for personal use. It would also allow local governments to tax and regulate commercial production, distribution and sale. high quality marijuana sells for about $ 375 an ounce, according to a study by Rand Corp. in July. At stake is the possibility that "hundreds of millions of dollars a year" in new revenues, in the language of the ballot sent to the California Secretary of State web site.
San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, and at least 10 cities have more measures in its vote today to propose taxes on marijuana cultivation and sales if Proposition 19 passes. Californians consume about 1 million pounds of marijuana per year, according to state tax administrator, the Board of Equalization.



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