The issue focused on a new policy that the state of California passed in 2009 that allowed doctors to prescribe marijuana to treat certain debilitating medical conditions.

"This policy, like the other laws, is not in line with the law and has resulted in the abuse of marijuana," he said in a statement.

"It is time for voters to reject the current marijuana policy and to focus on the issues that affect our state more than the profits from illegal marijuana businesses."

The measure failed in a referendum last