Cannabis referendum: Legalisation in California no game-changer after 18 months

Stuff co.nz 8 May 2019
Family First Comment: A Kiwi living in California says the marijuana black market there still rules and tax revenue is far lower than expected.
“Each local jurisdiction can decide whether they want to allow cannabis businesses in their community, with about 80% saying no.”
That says it all!
www.VoteNo.nz

A Kiwi living in California says the marijuana black market there still rules and tax revenue is far lower than expected.

Journalist Alastair Paulin, a former Stuff news director, first moved to the US state in 1992, before returning to New Zealand in 2007. He moved back in July last year, a few months after it became legal for businesses to sell marijuana.

California legalised medicinal cannabis in 1996 and made recreational use for those aged over 21 legal in November 2016. In January 2018, licensed premises began selling cannabis products in certain parts of the state.

Rules around cannabis consumption in California are similar to what the Government is proposing here. Californians are only allowed to consume in their homes or in private premises where authorised by the landlord. Consumption in public or any place where smoking is forbidden is not allowed.

New Zealand’s Government announced on Tuesday the public will decide on whether the drug should be legalised through a referendum at next year’s general election.

Paulin said he had not noticed a significant difference in consumption since the new laws in California.

“You do not see people walking around, smoking in public. Occasionally I smell it … people smoking on their apartment’s balcony.”

Vaping, eating hash lollies and brownies is an option accessible through licensed shops only.
READ MORE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/112547162/cannabis-referendum-legalisation-in-california-no-gamechanger-after-18-months