FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What’s does the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act do?
A: The initiative will regulate cannabis just like alcohol, so adults 21 years old and above will be allowed to posses up to one ounce of cannabis. The initiative will also give local governments the ability to tax and regulate cannabis.
Q: Why do you think the initiative will pass?
A: According to an April statewide Field Poll, 56 percent of Californians support legalizing cannabis.
Q: How would the initiative tax and regulate cannabis?
A: The initiative will allow local governments to set up a system to oversee and regulate cultivation, distribution, and sales, and determine how and how much cannabis can be bought and sold within area limits. If a local government decides it does not want to tax and regulate the sale of cannabis, then buying and selling cannabis within area limits will remain illegal, but the possession and consumption of up to one ounce will be permitted.
Q: Is cannabis a dangerous drug?
A: Actually, cannabis has much fewer harmful effects than either alcohol or cigarettes, which are both legal for adult consumption, and taxed to support vital services. Cannabis is not physically addictive, does not have long term toxic effects on the body, and does not cause its consumers to become violent.
Q: Would taxing and regulating cannabis help our state and local governments financially?
A: Absolutely. Right now, there is an estimated $15 billion in cannabis transactions every year in California, but since cannabis remains illegal, our state sees none of the revenue. Taxing and regulating cannabis could bring in billions of dollars in revenue to help fund what matters most in California: jobs, healthcare, schools and libraries, parks, roads, transportation, and more. The California Board of Equalization estimates that taxing and regulating cannabis could generate $1.4 billion in revenue each year.
Q: If we legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis, won’t that just lead to a lot more people using it?
A: Actually no. According to The National Research Council’s recent study of the 11 U.S. states where cannabis is currently decriminalized, there is little apparent relationship between severity of sanctions and the rate of consumption.
Q: If we legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis, won’t that just lead to more crime?
A: No. The illegality of cannabis enables for the continuation of an out-of-control criminal market, which in turn spawns other illegal and often violent activities. Establishing legal, regulated sales outlets would put dangerous street dealers out of business, so their influence in our communities will fade. Also, when we stop arresting thousands of non-violent cannabis consumers, we will be freeing up police resources and saving millions of dollars each year, which could be used for apprehending truly dangerous criminals and keeping them locked up.
Q: If we legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis, won’t that just lead to more kids using it?
A: No. First of all, the initiative will regulate cannabis like alcohol, allowing only adults 21 years and older to consume cannabis. In addition, by bringing cannabis out of the shadows, and implementing a legal regulatory framework to control it, we will be better able to police and prevent access to and consumption of cannabis by minors.
Q: What effect will the initiative have on medical marijuana laws in California?
A: None. The initiative explicitly upholds the rights of medical marijuana patients.
Q: But won’t cannabis remain illegal under federal law?
A: Yes, but we can still pass our own state laws in California. The United States Constitution enables individual states to enact laws concerning health, morals, public welfare and safety within the state. For instance, in 1996, California voters passed Proposition 215, which legalized medical marijuana in the state. Also, 40 counties and cities in California have regulated medical cannabis without federal interference.
Q: How can I help?
A: This will be an epic battle for cannabis reform in California, and we are going to need every supporter involved. Sign up to volunteer, contribute, and get your friends involved today on our website!
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