California’s proposition 64 opponents “vigorously” argue that the measure, if passed, could expose young people to pot ads on TV, according to the lawsuit. (Elaine Thompson, Associated Press file)

California Proposition 64 foes file their own lawsuit, one day after supporters file theirs

Opponents of California’s Proposition 64 to legalize marijuana for adults have filed a lawsuit that claims advocates made “false and misleading” statements about how the measure regulates advertising, sales and more.

The suit was filed one day after backers of Proposition 64 filed a lawsuit of their own over what it called “reefer madness-style misinformation” from opponents.

Both petitions aim to force the Secretary of State to throw out portions of statements that would otherwise appear in official voter information guides for the Nov. 8 election.

The No on 64 lawsuit filed Tuesday disputes that the measure only allows marijuana to be sold in businesses off-limits to people under 21, since the measure does permit delivery services. And opponents “vigorously” argue that the measure, if passed, could expose young people to pot ads on TV, according to the lawsuit.

“The marijuana business folks behind Prop. 64 need to come clean with the voters of California and stop pretending that this is about protecting children,” said Wayne Johnson, spokesman for the opposition campaign.

Advocates insist the measure includes strict regulations for delivery services, plus a tracking system for all sales in the state. And the fact-checking website PolitiFact has rated the claim about Prop. 64 legalizing marijuana commercials as “mostly false.”

While advocates reference studies that indicate both teen use and impaired driving in Colorado have decreased since the state legalized marijuana in 2012, the No on 64 lawsuit points to other studies suggesting both factors have increased.

It will be up to a Sacramento County Superior Court judge to decide Friday whether to change statements from either camp or let voters sort it out at the ballot box.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7963 or bstaggs@ocregister.com. Follow her on Twitter @JournoBrooke

This story was first published on OCRegister.com