Marijuana Legalization Wins First Statewide Votes
Posted at 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2012
Aaron Blake reports that “Colorado and Washington state…became the first states to legalize the production, sale and possession of recreational marijuana,” rather than decriminalize it or legalize it in medical contexts.
CNN has more: “Amendment 64 in Colorado will amend the state constitution to legalize and regulate the production, possession, and distribution of marijuana for persons age 21 and older… Washington State voters on Tuesday cast their ballots in support of an unorthodox way of raising tax revenue: marijuana legalization. The measure, Initiative 502, will legalize and regulate the production, possession and distribution of cannabis for persons age 21 and older. The Washington referendum called for a 25% tax rate imposed on the product three times… Oregon voters soundly defeated an Election Day ballot initiative that would have allowed the commercial cultivation and sale of marijuana to adults.”
Matthew Yglesias says this is just the beginning of the “marijuana wars”: “But before you buy land to start your marijuana farm, note that the drug is still illegal in the United States of America and that Colorado is one of the United States of America. Consequently, if you try to set up a large-scale pot business you’re liable to get busted by the DEA. So expect a lot of clashes around this and a sticky situation for the Obama administration.”
