Joe GreenA blog post from September got people from 9 states excited with the news that their state will be voting on legalizing cannabis, either recreational or medicinal, during November polls. Well the verdict is in & we have lots to celebrate! This means that more than half of the total states have legalized marijuana. Of the 5 states that proposed recreational marijuana, 4 of them passed the initiatives. All 4 states that proposed passing medical marijuana laws pushed the initiatives into law.
Generally speaking, the proposals for recreational pot would treat marijuana comparable to alcohol laws. You would have to be at least 21 years or older to consume it and it would not be allowed in public places. Cannabis will be highly regulated and taxed, and it will be legal in some states to grow your own.
Their opinion was that legalization would endanger children
The state-by-state polls showed that most people were in favor of passing the cannabis laws. However, opponents including law enforcement groups and anti-drug crusaders tried to convince the public to reject the changes. Their opinion was that legalization would endanger children and that it would become a big industry endangering the health of Americans. The majority of residents of those states didn't agree with those concerns as they voted pro-cannabis.
It was no surprise that California said yes to recreational cannabis. Proposition 64 allows adults of 21 and over to enjoy the sweet bud. You are allowed to have up to 8 grams of cannabis in your possession and you may grow up to 6 plants. The industrial cultivation of hemp is also legalized. Proposition 64 also creates a system for reducing the sentences of those behind bars due to a marijuana charge. It also makes it possible for some cannabis related crimes to be expunged off the records of those that have been incarcerated.
Nevada passed their recreational cannabis initiative with 53.8% support. Happy residents of this state can possess up to an ounce of marijuana. They are also allowed to grow their own crop of up to 6 plants if they live more than 25 miles away from a dispensary. The tax revenue collected from the marijuana industry will benefitting K through 12th grade education.
Close call for Massachusetts
It was a close call for Massachusetts but they made it with 53.5% support of recreational marijuana. In this state you are allowed to possess up to an ounce of weed outside of your residence and you may grow up to 6 plants at a time. The new Cannabis Control Commission will oversee their new taxed and regulated industry.
The final state to legalize recreational marijuana is Maine. Now as an adult of 21 and up you are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, grow it yourself, and enjoy the use of marijuana social clubs.
Although Florida voted against passing medical marijuana laws the first time, they were all for it this time. With 72% of support, this state will be harvesting more than oranges in the future. With a prescription from a Florida physician, patients with debilitating medical conditions can get prescribed medical marijuana.
Arkansas passed the medical cannabis law conservatively. Registered patients are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis with doctor-approved treatment through a nonprofit compassion center.
3 ounces of cannabis and grow up to 8 plants
North Dakota passed their medical marijuana law with a high percentage of supporters. Compassion centers will be put into place to dispense medical marijuana for patients that have registered identification cards. Patients suffering from debilitating diseases will be able to possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and grow up to 8 plants if they live further than 40 miles from a compassion center.
Montana previously had strict medical marijuana laws already in place. Their strict laws only allowed a 3 patient limit for marijuana providers. Their new medical marijuana laws will allow patients to get their medical marijuana for many different diseases and illnesses.
What a misfortune it was for the people of Arizona!
Of the 9 states that voted on creating new marijuana laws, the one state that voted against new laws was Arizona. Proposition 205 would have taxed and regulated cannabis similar to alcohol. The proposition was narrowly defeated 52% to 48%. A well funded opposition campaign was built on misinformation about the results of legalization in Colorado. What a misfortune it was for the people of Arizona!
With 8 out of 9 states voting pro-cannabis the rest of the nation can take a hint and move forward with ending cannabis prohibition. It's what the people obviously want as they are voting to change the current laws.
