An existing campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in California next year will face some high-profile and well-funded competition from tech billionaire Sean Parker and a coalition he’s pulled together to support a differing version of legalization.
Parker has thrown his support behind the Adult Use of Marijuana Act measure that was filed with the California attorney general’s office on Monday. The move sets the stage for a possible political showdown between with Reform CA, which filed its initiative with the state last month.
At least another four groups have also filed ballot initiative language with the state, according to San Francisco Gate, though they don’t appear to have serious chance of making the 2016 ballot.
Oaksterdam University’s Dale Sky Jones is spearheading the Reform CA initiative, while the Adult Use of Marijuana Act has the backing of the California Cannabis Industry Association and two prominent national groups – the Drug Policy Alliance and Marijuana Policy Project.
According to some California sources, Reform CA may face a bigger obstacle with a lack of financial backing, whereas the coalition behind the other measure can rely on Parker’s fortune to finance a campaign if necessary.
