Amendments Filed to the California Marijuana Control, Legalization and Revenue Act of 2014

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 30, 2013) - Americans for Policy Reform (AFPR), the group behind the 2014 California marijuana legalization initiative, the Marijuana Control, Legalization and Revenue Act (MCLR), have filed amendments to the proposed law. The changes were based on both community input and response from the Legislative Analyst's Office. Changes include strengthening some penalties and clarifying medical marijuana patient identification card requirements.

Filing the amendments restarts the clock as to when signature gathering can begin. The new estimated approval date by the Attorney General is December 23, 2013, at which time the proponents have the 150 days allowed to collect signatures for the initiative. Although it would mean restarting the clock once more, AFPR is open to more input and hopes to work with Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, the ACLU and others on a unified 2014 legalization effort.

"Working together is the only way we can avoid splitting efforts," states proponent Bob Bowerman. "We want leaders like Rob Kampia of Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), and Dale Sky Jones of Coalition For Cannabis Policy Reform (CCPR) to unite with us to make 2014 a reality."

"By filing today's amendments, we maintain our commitment to include recent community input," says proponent John Lee. "We call on all reform supporters to work together toward legalization in 2014." AFPR wants to unify any other potential 2014 marijuana reform efforts to avoid the failures of the 2012 legalization initiatives.

"There's no reason to wait; the voters are ready for sensible marijuana laws," states proponent Degé Coutee. "Recent poll results say it's time to pass and implement these laws now."

AFPR recently surveyed likely 2014 California voters regarding legalization; the executive summary and results will be released early next week. AFPR encourages all marijuana reform supporters to contact John Lee at john@afpr.us.