Why regulation?

Regulating marijuana in California would…

• Make our communities safer. Removing marijuana from the criminal market would free up police time so officers can focus on violent crimes, property crimes, and people who drive under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any other substance. Tax dollars would be used to incarcerate real criminals who threaten public safety. Regulating marijuana would also significantly de-fund violent Mexican drug cartels that, according to White House reports, rely on illegal marijuana for more than 60% of their income.

• Save taxpayer dollars and generate revenue. According to a California Board of Equalization report, taxing marijuana – the state’s top cash crop – would generate an estimated $1.4 billion in new annual revenue – enough to pay the salaries of 20,000 California teachers at a time when our schools are facing devastating budget cuts.

• Reduce teen marijuana use and availability. More California teens now report using marijuana than tobacco – likely because tobacco merchants are licensed and regulated – marijuana dealers are not. Illegal marijuana dealers have no incentive to card for age and marijuana is sold in most every high school in California.

• Protect our public lands. Every year, more and more clandestine marijuana farms are being discovered on California’s public lands. These criminal operations pose a risk to hikers and the environment – and cost taxpayers millions in eradication and clean-up. These bootleg-style operations only exist because of prohibition. Regulating marijuana like alcohol will eliminate any incentive to grow on public land. After all, California’s wine industry isn’t planting vineyards on public lands.