What Props 56 & 64 could mean for California

UPDATE: 6:20 p.m.

Wen Dolphin said Tuesday night marked a new beginning for his business, with the passing of Proposition 64 to legalize recreational marijuana use. “I expected it,” Dolphin said. “I was ready. I had my joint rolled at 12:01 a.m., and I fired up a joint. I went live on Facebook smoking a joint at 12:01 a.m. It’s a very exciting time, and we knew it was going to pass.” For about a decade, marijuana has been Dolphin’s bag. But after the 2016 election, he said he’s ready to take his business higher. “We should see an increase of 60, maybe 70 percent in sales across the board,” Dolphin said. “We expect our patient growth to be at least 150 percent.” Proposition 64 passed along with Proposition 56, a law installing a $2 tax hike on cigarette packs. Palm Springs city leaders said they now will begin to roll out ideas of potential regulations with state officials related to similar substances. “There is a body, the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) board, that adopts and implements regulations that deal with the use and consumption of alcoholic beverages,” City Attorney Doug Holland said. “We’ve got to do the same kind of thing, but we have to start from scratch.” Dolphin said under Proposition 64, residents in the Golden State can possess 28.5 grams, or up to one ounce of flower, eight grams of concentrate and up to six plants that can be grown inside their own home. He also said another with Proposition 56 in place, there may be more people opting to with marijuana than cigarettes. “There are massive issues when it comes to cigarettes,” Dolphin said. “We also know that marijuana will reverse some of the effects of smoking cigarettes. So, I really hope to see more people transition over.” As businesses are confident they’ll continue to grow. “I really know that if we all keep pushing to really lead this industry in an honest and healthy direction, we’re going to see great things,” tobacco user Heather Marshall said. While California residents can grow and possess those legal amounts of marijuana, Dolphin said no one is allowed yet to sell any pot without state and local licenses. State leaders said they expect licenses to start being issued beginning in January 2018.

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ORIGINAL STORY: 5:14 p.m.

The November election not only saw new leaders elected, but several propositions passed in California as well; two of which intend to light up the Golden State.

KESQ and CBS Local 2’s Zak Dahlheimer looked into Proposition 56 and Proposition 64 following Tuesday’s results. Proposition 56 involves a $2 tax increase placed on cigarette packs, while Proposition 64 legalizes recreational marijuana use throughout California.

Palm Springs city leaders said they intend on hashing out future regulations with state officials while local marijuana business owners said both propositions will help people lean to green.

We’ll have reaction from the community about the passing of these two propositions and what they could mean for you, coming up on KESQ News Channel 3 at 6 p.m.