Nevada Voters Could Legalize Marijuana In 2016

Nevada Voters Will Decide On Marijuana Legalization Next Year

Similar to what happened in Oregon last year, voters will decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana, after lawmakers squandered the opportunity to implement their own version. Organizers gathered enough signatures to put marijuana legalization before the Nevada Legislature, and since the Nevada Legislature failed to act on the proposal, it now automatically goes on the 2106 Election ballot. Marijuana Business Daily goes on to say:

With the Nevada state legislature adjourning on Friday without taking action on a proposed recreational marijuana initiative, voters will now decide whether they want to legalize recreational marijuana in 2016.

Backers had previously collected nearly 200,000 signatures to either force legislators to enact their initiative or put it on the ballot. When the lawmakers abstained from voting on the issue, the measure was automatically forwarded to next year’s ballot for a popular vote.

Under the terms of the initiative, the state Department of Taxation would oversee rec businesses, including vendors, growers, manufacturers, wholesalers and testing labs. A 15% excise tax would be applied to wholesale transactions, while retail sales would be taxed at already-established state and local rates, according to Marijuana Policy Project.

Like what’s occurring here in California zoning may still be an issue if the measure passes, since local governments will maintain control over locations for cannabis companies. As a result of these loopholes many dispensaries in the Golden State have been forced to shut down or move. If politicians want to implement their own version of marijuana legalization they need to take the opportunity afforded to them or step aside—not go against the will of the people after they’ve spoken.