Some Propositions May Not Go Into Effect Right After Election Day

Banning plastic bags, legalizing recreational marijuana and restricting the sale of ammunition are all ballot measures in this year's election.

These changes could all take place in California if voters approve them on Nov. 8. But how fast would they go into effect? 

Unless a grace period is specified, most ballot measures would go into effect right after Election Day. For this year, those will include Proposition 67 (the plastic bag ban) and Proposition 62 (the repeal of the death penalty).

There would be a delay before other measures, or parts of them, go into effect. Under Proposition 64, for example, Californians will legally be able to smoke marijuana right after Election Day. But licenses for marijuana businesses might not be issued until as late as Jan. 1, 2018. 

The gun and ammunition restrictions under Proposition 63 would be phased in over the next three years, while the $2 per pack cigarette tax increase under Proposition 56 would go into effect next April.