On election day, California voters will decide if they want to enact a law that would legalize, tax and regulate the sale of marijuana in the state. Proposition 19, the ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in California, would allow people ages 21 and older to smoke marijuana in their own home or other private places where there are no children.
However, the Los Angeles Times reports that the passage of Proposition 19 would not necessarily stop people from getting arrested when smoking marijuana in their homes. This is because U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents would still be able to enforce the federal Controlled Substances Act. Because the federal law would conflict with the state law, there are some unknown legal issues as to what exactly would happen with the passage of Proposition 19.
U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder said in the Los Angeles Times that he plans to "vigorously enforce" federal drug laws, regardless of what California voters do. Many Californians are still excited that the state has the potential to be the first U.S. state to legalize marijuana and that the revenue from taxed marijuana can raise billions of dollars for the state.
Pot smokers that are concerned with an arrest when it comes to the possession of marijuana, should not hesitate to contact a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer with questions about the legal rights of defendants. An attorney can provide more information on the marijuana laws of Los Angeles and represent a person in court that has been arrested for drug crimes.
Related Resources:
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Understanding California's Ballot Initiative To Legalize Pot (FindLaw's Los Angeles Criminal Law Blog)
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Marijuana: a Smokin' Legal Issue (FindLaw's Insider Blog)
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