Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu

California Counts

 

A collaboration between Capital Public Radio, KQED, KPCC and KPBS to cover the 2016 elections in California.

Series and Project Archive

 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

Election 2016 FAQ: Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization

Sunday, October 9, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
  

Katie Orr | California Counts

| CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF OUR PROP EXPLAINERS |

Proposition 64 makes recreational marijuana legal in California for adults 21 and over.


The basics

Watch our Prop 64 explainer video

California voters legalized the medical use of marijuana in 1996. Twenty years later, it’s pretty easy to buy marijuana in parts of California. But it’s still illegal to use marijuana for nonmedical purposes.

Proposition 64 would change that.

What you're voting on 

The measure would make it legal in California for adults over age 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and to grow up to six marijuana plants in their homes. It would also regulate recreational marijuana businesses and impose taxes on pot.

As with alcohol, marijuana use in public would be restricted, and driving while high would be illegal. But law enforcement officials are already wondering how they would determine whether someone is driving under the influence of pot. So far there isn’t an easy, reliable test. More on that here.

Still, supporters say the measure will provide a way to regulate a vast and growing industry, and allow people to use marijuana in a responsible way. They say provisions built into the law, such as restrictions on pot use near schools and day-care centers, will protect children.  

Who are the opponents?

A variety of people oppose Proposition 64, for a variety of reasons. Some are concerned children will be exposed to pot advertisements. Some small marijuana growers are worried they could eventually be pushed out of the market by bigger companies. Other opponents believe the 60-page ballot measure gets into too much detail. For example, rather than letting the Legislature decide the rules, the initiative spells out many of the regulations, and only voters could change them.

State financial analysts say taxing marijuana could bring in hundreds of millions, or perhaps more than a billion, dollars in new revenue. Much of the money would go toward drug education and prevention programs for kids. Environmental restoration projects and the California Highway Patrol would also get money. Cities and counties would receive some revenue as well.

Independent analysts also say the measure could yield savings of tens of millions of dollars for state and local governments, due to a decline in marijuana offenders held in prisons and jails.

Using or possessing marijuana is still against federal law, although federal agencies generally haven’t made possession of small amounts of pot an important priority. Still, it isn’t clear how this conflict between federal and state regulations would be resolved. 

At this time, four states and the District of Columbia allow recreational use of marijuana. California is one of several states voting on that issue this fall. 

Fiscal Impact -- by the League of Women Voters Education Fund

The costs of Proposition 64 and how much money it would raise are unclear. The amount coming in from taxes depends on how much non-medical marijuana is grown and purchased through the new legal system. Over time, state and local governments could earn taxes in the hundreds of millions of dollars or more than $1 billion each year. The state and local governments could also save tens of millions of dollars on court and law enforcement costs each year.

Supporters say -- by the League of Women Voters Education Fund

  • Proposition 64 would set up a safe, legal system that allows adults to use recreational marijuana.
  • Proposition 64 would bring in more than $1 billion each year and lower state court costs.

Opponents say -- by the League of Women Voters Education Fund

  • Proposition 64 would increase the illegal drug trade and hurt low-income communities.
  • Proposition 64 allows marijuana to be grown near schools and puts youth at risk of addiction.

Still have questions? Read our pot series here.

How much is being spent on the campaigns?

Let us know your thoughts on Twitter using the hashtag #CACounts.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Jeff Chiu / File / AP

    Legal Pot Brings Temporary Tax Break For Some Medical Users

    Thursday, November 17, 2016
    (AP) - Some California medical marijuana users are getting a tax break.
  • California Counts: The CapRadio Voter Guide

    Wednesday, October 5, 2016
    The general election is November 8. Are you ready to vote? Find out where the candidates stand on issues you care about in our voter guide.
  • Maya Sugarman / KPCC

    Time To Cram: California's 17 Ballot Measure Propositions Explained

    Monday, October 3, 2016
    The general election's right around the corner and it's time to get prepped. We've gathered up what you need to know for each of the 17 statewide propositions.
  • Ed Andrieski / AP File

    How Has Legalizing Marijuana Changed Policing in Washington?

    Tuesday, August 30, 2016
    Washington and Colorado paved the way for making recreational pot legal back in 2012. Since then marijuana arrests have plunged in Washington. So what is the effect of legalizing marijuana on policing?
  • 5 Things To Know About Legalizing Recreational Pot In California

    Wednesday, August 17, 2016
    Will California be the fifth state to legalize recreational pot this November? The ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns discuss the pros and cons of the measure.

 cannabisProp 2016 Explainersproposition 64

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More California Counts Stories

Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

California Legislature Kills Fentanyl, Whistleblower Protection Bills

August 11, 2016

Eric Risberg / AP

Uber Forcing Democrats To Rethink Labor Rules

April 19, 2016

Maya Sugarman / KPCC

In Rare GOP Stronghold, Demographic Shift Pushing Change In Santa Clarita

March 2, 2016

View All California Counts Stories  

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

California’s next cannabis battle may be coming to a city near you

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

California’s next cannabis battle may be coming to a city near you

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.