A group of activists from Oakland have filed a ballot initiative that could legalize marijuana in California.
The Cannabis Act of 2010 would allow the use, cultivation and taxation of marijuana under California law. Richard Lee, one of the sponsors, says his initiative would also allow local governments to regulate any marijuana operations that lead to commercial sales. He says polls show that more than half of state residents already want marijuana legalized.
"The numbers are generally going our way," says Lee. "As more of the World War II generation is replaced by younger voters, we gain votes."
Lee says his ballot measure would be a first step toward full legalization of a drug that would still be prohibited by federal law. He says he expects to raise more than a million dollars to collect signatures to qualify for the 2010 ballot. His is one of two pot legalization ballot measures filed with the state Attorney General's office this year.
