Another initiative attempting to make its way onto the 2012 California ballot has been released. Called the Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act of 2012, the initiative would remove most references to Marijuana within California legal codes. It would permit adults (presumably age-18 and up) to grow, possess and use an unlimited quantity of cannabis or cannabis product. The initiative would still prohibit both driving while impaired by marijuana, and furnishing marijuana to a minor. Regulation of the commercial production (as defined by amounts 3 lbs or greater) would fall under the jurisdiction of the CA Department of Public Health; neither taxes nor regulations could be imposed on amounts smaller than 3 pounds.

Local governments would be barred from imposing stricter regulations; but in a reverse of the usual direction for regulations, local governments could allow for greater freedoms than delineated in the initiative. It is unclear if a local government could, for instance, allow minors to use marijuana or exempt business from State taxes.

From a public health perspective, this initiative does nothing to prevent consequences of greater use. It does not address per se THC limits on driving or the use of cannabis by those ages 20 and younger. The initiative would also allow for a very quick development of a marijuana industry that could wield substantial political power, making additional limitations or regulations difficult to pass in the future. Thus, should this initiative pass, it would represent a substantial missed opportunity for a more balanced, public-health focused approach.

As far as its implications for college campuses, it does not explicitly prohibit State institutions from restricting marijuana (as the Regulate Marijuana Like Wine Act does), thus it is possible that lawyers would allow campuses to continue to abide by Federal law, avoiding possible loss of funds. It leaves unanswered what sort of regulations can be imposed on placement of marijuana sales outlets near campuses.