BRAVE NEW WORLD

California to Start New Year With Legal Retail Pot Sales

Dozens of newly licensed shops will open their doors this week after voters opted to legalize retail sales of the drug.

California is set to kick off the new year with its first recreational marijuana sales in areas throughout the state as a new law takes effect. Customers looking to buy pot previously needed a medical reason to buy the drug, but after Californians voted to legalize the drug for recreational purposes last year, state authorities will now treat marijuana like alcohol. Under the new law, those who are 21 or over will be allowed to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow six marijuana plants at home. About six dozen newly licensed shops will now be able to sell the drug for recreational use, though some cities, including Los Angeles, have warned that retail sales won’t begin as soon as the law takes effect. Will Senn, the founder of Urbn Leaf in San Diego, told the Associated Press the shop would be opening with extra security and more than 60 employees ready to take orders. “We’re preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” he was quoted as saying.