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Jan. 29, 2010 — Richard Lee, a successful Californian marijuana businessman, has led an effort to put a marijuana legalization measure on California’s November ballot. He has collected 693,800 signatures, well over the minimum required 433,971, making the measure’s appearance nearly a sure bet.

Bid to legalize marijuana in California takes key step
Supporters gather what is likely to be enough signatures to put their measure on the state ballot in November.

By John Hoeffel
January 29, 2010

Proponents of an initiative to make California the first state to legalize marijuana have collected about 693,800 signatures, virtually guaranteeing that the measure will appear on a crowded November ballot.

“This is a historic first step toward ending cannabis prohibition,” said Richard Lee, the measure’s main backer.

Advocates, trailed by television cameras and photographers, dropped off petitions with elections officials in the state’s largest counties, including Los Angeles, where organizers said 143,105 voters signed.

Read the full story at LATimes.com.