Cannabis in Kalifornien

Mit Beginn des Jahres 2018 darf in Kalifornien Cannabis auch ohne Rezept erworben werden: jeder Bürger des Bundesstaates ab 21 Jahren darf bis zu 28,3 Gramm Cannabis (pro Monat) kaufen und bis zu sechs Pflanzen selbst anbauen. Konsum in der Öffentlichkeit sowie innerhalb von 1000 feet (300 m) von einer Schule ist ebenso verboten wie Autofahren unter dem Einfluss von Cannabis. Handel ist nur mit Lizenz des Bundesstaates und der Kommune erlaubt. Kommunen können sich auch ganz verweigern. Die Steuern sind mit 35% recht hoch. Pro Jahr wird in Kalifornien mit einem Cannabis-Steuer-Aufkommen von rund 1 Milliarde Dollar gerechnet. Insgesamt ist der kalifornische Marihuana-Markt alleine für die Jahre 2018-2021 laut der Firma Arcview geschätzte 40 Milliarden Dollar wert.

Trotz weiterbestehenden Prohibitionsgesetzes auf Bundesebene verfolgen aufgrund von Volksabstimmungen acht Bundesstaaten ihre eigene Regulationspolitik. Legalisierende Entkriminalisierungen fanden statt in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada und Kalifornien. In diesen acht Staaten gibt es sowohl "medical marihuana" (auf Rezept) als auch "recreational" marihuana "for adult use" ohne Rezept in dafür lizensierten Verkaufsstellen.

• On November 8, 2016, Proposition 64, also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, passed by a vote of 57% to 43%, legalizing the sale and distribution of cannabis in both a dry and concentrated form. California is one of eight states where recreational cannabis usage is legal, including Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. Adults are allowed to possess up to one ounce of cannabis for recreational use and can grow up to six live plants individually or more commercially with a license. - Licenses will be issued for cultivation and business establishment beginning in 2018 (aus: en.wikipedia, Cannabis in California).

• 14.12.2017 - Roughly two weeks ahead of the Jan. 1 launch of California's legal cannabis market, state regulators have granted the first batch of temporary cannabis business licenses. On Thursday, the Bureau of Cannabis Control issued 20 licenses for medical and adult-use operations, including retailers, distributors... (es gibt multiple license types: die ersten betrafen transport und verkauf).

• Recreational cannabis use becomes legal in California, BBC January 1st, 2018: In 1996, California was the first state to legalise marijuana for medicinal use. California has become the largest state in the US to legalise recreational cannabis use. As of 1 January 2018, adults aged over 21 can possess up to an ounce (28 grams) of the drug and can grow up to six marijuana plants at home. Opponents say the law will lead to more driving under the influence of the drug and introduce young people to drug use. But business is eyeing what could be an industry worth tens of billions of dollars in the next few years. Californians voted in favour of Proposition 64 legalising cannabis 14 months ago, in a poll that took place alongside the US presidential vote. Since then, a complicated patchwork of taxes and regulations has been drawn up to govern sales of the drug. Critics say the red tape will discourage consumers, growers and retailers from leaving the state's vast black market and only a few dozen shops have so far been approved to open. The cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco have yet to sanction any recreational marijuana outlets. "The first year, two years are going to be a mess," as cities agree their own regulations and supply and demand is established, Troy Dayton told AFP news agency. He is the CEO of Arcview, a company that analyses the global cannabis market. He predicted there could be "crazy fluctuation in price over the first year or two". - Nonetheless, the potential rewards are huge in the US's wealthiest and most populous state. The market for medical marijuana products has already led to a surge in the range of available products. But Arcview estimates the illegal cannabis market is currently worth an annual $5.1bn (£3.8bn) and once legalised could be worth $5.8bn by 2021. Legal buyers in the newly created "adult use" market will also now have to pay state, sales and municipal taxes which it is estimated will generate $1bn per year. They will be prohibited from consuming the drug in public places, with 1,000 feet (300m) of a school or while driving. Eight US states - Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and California - have now legalised recreational and medicinal marijuana. Despite this, the federal government still regards marijuana as illegal, classifying it alongside heroin and cocaine as a proscribed substance.

• California Bill may drop cannabis tax to give legal sellers a boost, Forbes magazine, march 2018

• California's outloaw marijuana culture faces a harsh reckoning, washington post march 2018

• FAZ 3.1.2018: 40 Milliarden Dollar Einnahmen durch Cannabis-Legalisierung?