Led by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, supporters of the measure that would legalize recreational marijuana in California gathered at Liberty Station Thursday to discuss the safeguards Proposition 64 would put into place.
Newsom said he is not a fan of the recreational use of marijuana. His support of Proposition 64 is based mostly on illegal marijuana’s role in the drug war, with all its racial overtones.
“Drug policy emanated in my city, San Francisco as a way of going after the Chinese, in the 1870s," Newsom said. "Then we went after the quote, unquote Mexicans with marijuana. Then we went after African Americans with crack cocaine.”
California voters rejected legalizing recreational marijuana six years ago.
Newsom said the 62-page Proposition 64 is designed to allay a number of fears.
RELATED: Election 2016 FAQ: Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization
Twenty percent of the marijuana tax would go to law enforcement. Money would be specifically earmarked to develop standards for impaired driving.
Newsom said $50 million would go to communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.
Looking at the polls, Newsom said he expects the measure to pass.
