[420 Girl]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Supporters of a new initiative that would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in California can start collecting signatures for the measure.

Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced Wednesday that proponents must collect signatures of 433,971 registered voters in order for the measure to qualify for the ballot.

Supporters of the measure have 150 days to circulate petitions for the measure, which means the signatures must be collected by Feb. 5, 2010.

The measure would repeal state laws that make it a crime for people 21 years old or older to use, possess, sell, cultivate or transport marijuana or industrial hemp. Under the measure, it would still be illegal to drive while impaired or contribute to the delinquency of a minor.

The initiative also requires state and local governments to regulate and tax commercial production and the sale of marijuana. The taxes would be used on education, healthcare, environmental programs, public works and state parks.

According to an estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance, the impact of legalizing marijuana would save state and local governments tens of millions of dollars on the costs of incarcerating and supervising marijuana offenders.

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