Plans to legalize marijuana in Calif. defeated in polling

LOS ANGELES. November 3. KAZINFORM A proposed plan to legalize the use of marijuana across California seems to be thwarted by voters Tuesday, exit polls show, Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

Proposition 19, which would allow Californians who are at least 21 years old to possess, cultivate or transport marijuana for personal use, seemed to be thwarted by voters, according to preliminary tabulation results.

Among the nine ballot issues the California voters weighed in, Prop. 19 is the more pronounced and has gained most attention across the country. Supporters claim the move could generate billions of dollars for cash-strapped cities, as the initiative would allow local governments to regulate and tax the commercial production and sale of marijuana.

However, the drug would remain illegal under federal law, and federal officials have said they would continue to prosecute the use of the drug. Relatively little money has been spent on campaign over the issue in the runup to the Tuesday polls, Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com