California plans public forums on marijuana legalization options

California officials will hold forums starting next month across the most populous U.S. state to seek public input on proposals to legalize marijuana under a strict tax and regulatory system, Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom said on Thursday. California became the first U.S. state to allow medical marijuana at a ballot in 1996, and it was followed by several other states, some of which also later legalized recreational use of the drug by adults. Announcing the start of the public phase of the work of a state commission that he leads on marijuana policy, Newsom said that over the past 18 months the panel identified three key issues related to legalization, tax and regulation. "With marijuana legalization increasingly likely in California, it is vital that policymakers are informed by the expert think tank we've assembled to make sure any changes in law are thoughtfully constructed and implemented safely and effectively," Newsom said in a statement.



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