Airline sales might be keeping the cost of flying to California low, but the destination itself just got high as fuck. Recreational marijuana – the weed drug – just became legal all throughout the US state.
That’s right, bong enthusiasts, laws that legalise recreational usage of weed in California came into effect from midnight on January 1st, meaning it is now legally permissible to sell the wacky tobaccy to any ole’ schmo at a retail dispensary in the state.
A relatively small and select handful of retail outlets have been granted permission to sell weed to ordinary punters in California, and the first day of trade has seen steady business and long-ass lines, with Californians across the state clamouring to get their hands on a little taste of the Reggae Breakfast.
Big line at “Harborside Dispensary” in Oakland for first chance to legally buy recreational marijuana. Doors open at 6am. California voters approved ballot measure in 2016. pic.twitter.com/FGRqcTEn8F
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) January 1, 2018
The first legal recreational weed sale in California was made in Oakland at approximately 6am local time, immortalised in this photo in which it is extremely difficult to determine who is the customer and who is the shopkeeper.
The first legal recreational marijuana sale is being made at Harborside $20.10 pic.twitter.com/k6rv5vMi0b
— KTVU (@KTVU) January 1, 2018
Californians voted to legalise recreational weed back in 2016, with the drug being available “medicinally” reasonably freely prior to that. But the new laws only came into effect as the calendar ticked over the 2018.
The legalisation is expected to generate somewhere in the vicinity of US$7billion in revenue annually by 2020.
A number of fast food joints (pun absolutely intended) got in on the movement, with a handful of Jack in the Box outlets offering up a special box deal that carries a price tag of $4.20. Because, y’know, the weed.
NEW: With the legalization of recreational marijuana, @JackBox is taking advantage of the weed “munchies.” They are offering a new “box” deal for only $4.20. Right now it’s only offered in select locations in Long Beach, but could spread to the rest of California. pic.twitter.com/bdlEHf3ZzT
— Jada Montemarano (@JadaMontemarano) December 29, 2017
California legalising recreational marijuana means that 1 in 5 Americans now have legal access to a drug that is still classed as a Schedule 1 substance by the American Federal Government, alongside the likes of heroin, LSD, meth, and peyote.
Travelling in and out of US states that have legalised recreational marijuana while carrying weed remains a grey area for passengers and authorities, given that airports themselves are state-owned, but air travel is subject to Federal law.
Californians serving time for marijuana-related historic Federal crimes will remain behind bars unless pardoned by the President. Prisoners incarcerated under state crimes have either been released, or had their sentences slashed.
