Legalizing Weed Will Get a Vote in California

California's market for marijuana products could get a lot bigger this fall. Currently, more than 700,00 patients take part in the state's medical marijuana program.

But, with the 2016 election looming, that could change.

A measure to legalize recreational marijuana use will be on the ballot on November 8, the office of California’s secretary of state has announced.

That measure would allow people 21 and over to use, possess, and grow small amounts of weed within the state. A petition to put the matter to a vote got more than 600,000 signatures, almost twice as many as are required for a ballot initiative.

If the measure succeeds, California will become the fifth state to legalize recreational marijuana, after Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.