With the start of 2018, the legalized sale of marijuana began in California two years after its citizens voted in favour of it.
Under the newly introduced law, anyone over the age of 21 can purchase cannabis at licensed shops and also use, grow and possess limited quantities of pot.
For the state residents, the law is a big deal, as they can finally purchase the drug in a safe and secure manner.
The legalization of marijuana use has a long history in the state. In 1996, the state voted to allow marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes. Twenty years later, the citizens voted for legal recreational use , paving the way for a legal market to open in 2018.
Limited Number Retailers Have So far Received Licenses
So far around 90 retailers have received licenses statewide to open operations starting New Year’s Day. These retailers are situated mostly in areas of Santa Cruz, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area and also the Palm Springs area.
In several areas customers were seen lining up outside licensed dispensaries before dawn on New Year’s day.
The cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco among others will not have immediate sales of recreational pot due to delays in approvals from local regulators. Others such as Bakersfield, Fresno and Riverside have adopted laws that forbid recreational marijuana sales.
In addition to the retail sales law, California legislators have also passed specific regulations for marijuana use.
- Anyone purchasing recreational marijuana cannot smoke in public areas and can’t use it in any place where cigarettes aren’t allowed.
- Traffic laws have also been enacted to prohibit use of marijuana in vehicles while driving or riding as a passenger.
Khalil Moutawakkil of KindPeoples, which grows and sells weed in Santa Cruzn noted that while debates can go on regarding the regulations, nonetheless, “it’s a giant step forward”, and issues can be sorted in due course.
Medical Marijuana Sales To Continue
Authorities in Los Angeles announced last month that the city will not be accepting licenses until January 3, as a result of which it may be weeks before legal sales will be possible in the area.
This led to concerns that long-established businesses may have to close until then but lawyers advising a group of such dispensaries have concluded that such businesses can sell medical marijuana by way of “collectives” until necessary licenses are received.
According State regulations, pot shops need to possess both local and state licenses for starting operations.
But, Cat Packer, the pot regulator for Los Angeles has confirmed that medicinal sales can continue with a doctor’s recommendation until the licenses are issued.
Law Enforcement Worried About Increased Risks
The California Police Chiefs Association, which had been critical of the 2016 ballot measure, remains concerned regarding the dangers of stoned drivers, the increased risk to young people and higher cost of policing, adding to the existing extensive black market.
Jonathan Feldman, a legislative advocate for the chiefs noted that enforcing the new laws would have “a public-health cost and a public-safety cost” .
In 2016, the state is estimated to have produced around 13.5million pounds of pot, with 80% of it being illegally shipped out of state, as per a report developed by a consulting firm ERA Economics for the state. Out of the remaining 20%, just a quarter was sold legally for medicinal purposes.
It has been widely expected that the marijuana black market will continue to thrive, particularly since associated taxes and fees will increase the cost of retail pot by nearly 70%.
State Joins Several Others
Across the US, so far 29 states have legalized medical marijuana.
Colorado and Washington became the first states in 2012 to legalize recreational marijuana. In subsequent years, five others have passed recreational marijuana laws which includes Massachusetts, where retail pot sales are expected to start July onwards.
Pot shops in California will not be like a typical retailer. Customers will need to be buzzed in through a locked door, and the areas serving the customers will have several security cameras.
