CA’s Recreational Cannabis Measure Gains Media Support

The fight to regulate cannabis similar to alcohol in California has garnered some major support from two huge publications. Both the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle have shared their endorsement of Proposition 64, also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), that will appear on the November 2016 ballot. The editorial boards at both newspapers have admitted that cannabis legalization for adult use is a better alternative to the current prohibition.

In “It’s time to legalize and regulate marijuana in California. Yes on Proposition 64” by The Los Angeles Times, The Times Editorial Board writes, “In the case of marijuana, there is a growing support for the argument that the cost of enforcing prohibition is too great and delivers too few benefits.”

This is the first time both of these major newspapers have supported the legalization of recreational cannabis in the state, with both papers opposing Proposition 19 back in 2010. Prop. 19 was The Golden State’s last attempt to legalize cannabis for adult use, however it failed with a vote of 46 percent. The Times stated that they did not support legalization the last time around, because “it was a poorly drafted mess that would have created a regulatory nightmare.” So far, polls show that Prop. 64 has 57 percent support of voters.

Those who support Prop. 64 hope that this positive support from The Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle help support a positive public opinion for the measure. With publications like Sacramento Bee and the Fresno Bee spreading their opposition to the legalization of recreational cannabis, voters will have plenty of conflicting opinions to choose between.

Times have definitely changed since California’s last attempt to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Support creating a more safe and consistent cannabis industry by making it to the polls this November, and let’s join four other states in allowing adult consumption of cannabis in California.