California rejects marijuana legalization

Proposition 19 failed to pass last night after the expected youth vote failed to materialize.

Californians had an opportunity to become the first state in the country to legalize marijuana last night. But voters roundly rejected a ballot proposition that would have allowed adults to carry up to an ounce of the drug for personal use. The pro-legalization camp had hoped that young voters would turn out in droves to endorse one of their favourite recreational activities, but there was no spike in the youth voter. Black and Hispanic voters, who some thought would back the proposition as a way to reduce the disproportionate arrest of minorities for drug offences, also rejected it. While much of the state favours legalization, opposition camps managed to raise doubts about the details of the proposition.