Californians are set to decide whether to make recreational marijuana use legal, as other Western states have done, after the California Secretary of State's office said on Tuesday the issue could be put to voters in the November ballot.

Californians are set to decide whether to make recreational marijuana use legal, as other Western states have done, after the California Secretary of State's office said on Tuesday the issue could be put to voters in the November ballot.

Marijuana policy is often a sticky subject in California, but that may change with the nomination of the state's first ever Marijuana Czar.

Marijuana policy is often a sticky subject in California, but that may change with the nomination of the state's first ever Marijuana Czar.

Gov. Jerry Brown revealed a proposal last week to simplify statewide rules that govern medical and recreational marijuana sales and production, in anticipation of the launch of the recreational cannabis industry in California in 2018.

Gov. Jerry Brown revealed a proposal last week to simplify statewide rules that govern medical and recreational marijuana sales and production, in anticipation of the launch of the recreational cannabis industry in California in 2018.

A proposed, 15 percent tax on medical marijuana sales would push the government's take on retail pot in Los Angeles to more than one fourth of the advertised price.

California is poised to legalize marijuana for adults 21 and over, according to the results of a survey released Wednesday from the non-partisan, non-profit Public Policy Institute of California.

California is poised to legalize marijuana for adults 21 and over, according to the results of a survey released Wednesday from the non-partisan, non-profit Public Policy Institute of California.

A measure to legalize marijuana for recreational use in California appears headed for the Nov. 8 ballot.

A measure to legalize marijuana for recreational use in California appears headed for the Nov. 8 ballot.

There are increasing signs that 2016 might just be the year the largest state in the nation legalizes recreational marijuana.

There are increasing signs that 2016 might just be the year the largest state in the nation legalizes recreational marijuana.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and other elected leaders on Thursday called on California voters to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, saying the current laws are unfairly entangling minorities more than white users.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and other elected leaders on Thursday called on California voters to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, saying the current laws are unfairly entangling minorities more than white users.

California appears poised to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, with a strong majority favoring Proposition 64 ahead of Tuesday’s vote.

California appears poised to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, with a strong majority favoring Proposition 64 ahead of Tuesday’s vote.

Six years ago, the California Democratic Party joined most of its elected leaders in declining to endorse the marijuana legalization initiative on the fall ballot.

California farmers are known for producing some of the finest fruits, vegetables and nuts in the world. But what if the state’s big agriculture also included marijuana?

California’s lieutenant governor fully supports legalizing recreational pot.

California’s lieutenant governor fully supports legalizing recreational pot.

California was the first state to allow medical marijuana. Now, two decades later, voters are expected to be asked whether to legalize recreational use of the drug.

California was the first state to allow medical marijuana. Now, two decades later, voters are expected to be asked whether to legalize recreational use of the drug.

And if California votes to legalize, other states will follow.

And if California votes to legalize, other states will follow.

If Dr. Larry Bedard has his way, Marin General Hospital would become the first acute-care medical center in California to allow patients to openly consume medical marijuana in the hospital.

If Dr. Larry Bedard has his way, Marin General Hospital would become the first acute-care medical center in California to allow patients to openly consume medical marijuana in the hospital.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said Friday she plans to vote for California's Proposition 64, making her one of a small number of high-level politicians to support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said Friday she plans to vote for California's Proposition 64, making her one of a small number of high-level politicians to support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.

Lori Ajax has two years to set up California’s first system to license, regulate and tax medical marijuana. Gov. Jerry Brown recently appointed the Republican to become the first chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation.

Lori Ajax has two years to set up California’s first system to license, regulate and tax medical marijuana. Gov. Jerry Brown recently appointed the Republican to become the first chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation.

California will need extensive regulatory oversight for cultivation, distribution and sales for pot intended for both social and medical use if voters approve recreational use of marijuana this year, according to a leading public policy group.

California will need extensive regulatory oversight for cultivation, distribution and sales for pot intended for both social and medical use if voters approve recreational use of marijuana this year, according to a leading public policy group.

As California seeks to regulate its medical marijuana economy, as well as set rules for personal cultivation, a March 1 deadline is making scores of cities and counties paranoid about how to govern pot.

As California seeks to regulate its medical marijuana economy, as well as set rules for personal cultivation, a March 1 deadline is making scores of cities and counties paranoid about how to govern pot.