According to Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, voters in the Golden State will legalize, tax and regulate recreational marijuana consumption for adults over the age of 21 during the 2016 presidential election.

At least that’s what he told Real Time with Bill Maher Friday, Aug. 7, during a quick Q&A sesh. Offering up his bold prediction on the likelihood of Californians legalizing the often maligned plant, Newsome noted:

“As some folks may know, we’re very likely to have a ballot initiative in 2016 and we have strong confidence that we’ll win. We’ve got to do it right and be thoughtful and deal with the legitimate concerns folks have about our children, and not allowing Big Tobacco come in and do Big Marijuana. So we want to do it in a very thoughtful way and we want to have that opportunity next year.”

Looking to extract his exact position on the legalization topic, Maher asked Newsom if he supported marijuana legalization in California. The two-term Lt. Gov. responded, “I’m leading the effort.”

As one of the highest-ranking politicians in California to support the idea of legalization, Newsom has been working on a report with a Blue Ribbon Commission that published its results on July 21, 2015.

The $10 million question

The soon to be filed initiative’s campaign could be costly though. Current estimates peg their cost at nearly half a million dollars just for paid signature collectors, and another $10 million for a full campaign.

A small price to pay for the end of marijuana prohibition in the Golden State…

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Source:: Weed Feed