In this photo taken June 12, 2010, a medical marijuana dispensary leaves its lights after hours on in Los Angeles. If voters approve a ballot initiative to legalize and allow the taxing of recreational marijuana, there are some new social scenarios that could play out in the days, weeks and months ahead. (AP Photo/Adam Lau)Lisa Leff and Marcus Wohlsenap (AP):
SAN FRANCISCO -- Imagine it's the day after the election, and California awakes to a brave new state where marijuana is the same as alcohol, at least legally.
Does that mean anyone over 21 can head to the nearest medical marijuana club and buy pot for personal pleasure? Will police set up sobriety checkpoints to snare stoned drivers? Can Giants fans step outside a sports bar for a quick sidewalk toke or nibble on cannabis-infused cocktail munchies?
If voters approve a ballot initiative to legalize and allow the taxing of recreational marijuana, these are some of the new social scenarios that could play out in the days, weeks and months ahead. Proposition 19 would take effect immediately, although the drug will remain illegal under federal law.
Though the measure has recently fallen behind in the polls, its passage would mean that starting Wednesday adults could carry around up to an ounce of their own marijuana and related paraphernalia without fear of arrest by state and local authorities. They could also tend a home garden up to 25 square feet big and consume its fruits in a "nonpublic place," but not in parks, near schools or on the street.
Beyond that, the future gets hazier. MORE...
No comments:
Post a Comment