Voters Approve Legal Marijuana in Washington D.C.-Oregon-Alaska!

flickr photos/emiliep/346381107/

Initiative 71 in Washington D.C. passed as expected by a wide margin, allowing the right for people over 21 to possess up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use and grow modest amounts at home. It does not allow people to smoke in public nor does it allow for selling, though it lets people "give" marijuana to others over 21. The bill still faces a review by Congress in January. With smooth sailing the new law could go into effect by April of 2015.

Oregon voters just created America’s third legal marijuana market. Measure 91 also passed by a wide margin, legalizing recreational marijuana for people over 21, allowing possession of up to eight ounces of “dried” marijuana and up to four plants. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will regulate sales.

In Alaska voters approved Ballot Measure 2, which allows for cultivation, possession and sales to those over 21 with state taxes on regulated sales.

The majority of Floridians voted to legalize medical marijuana, but Amendment 2 did not pass by the needed 60% to go into effect. Oh well, think 2016.

It's pretty clear Americans are tired of the war on marijuana (and hopefully hemp too). Hats off to all the voters who helped make new realities in this country. Next mission, 2016. America, are you ready to fix this injustice of a prohibition on one of the world's greatest natural resources?
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Home Page of author Jason Matthews.

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