While the national races dominate media attention, this year is also a fundamental turning point for marijuana legality in the United States.
This year, six different states and four cities will vote on initiatives that have to do with marijuana.
These are three types of laws on the ballots:
- Medical marijuana laws
- Decriminalization, which makes marijuana possession or sale an infraction punished by fine rather than a misdemeanor warranting possible jail time
- Legalization, which would make marijuana legal to buy, sell, and use like any other commodity
No state has successfully made marijuana wholly legal, but many have come close — and several may succeed in doing so this November.
The end result could be a radically different landscape for marijuana availability in the United States. Here's a rundown of all of the places that are putting pot to a vote.
Washington votes on Initiative 502 to legalize marijuana statewide
Washington has one of the boldest ballot initiatives on the table.
Initiative 502 would legalize the taxation, sale, and consumption of marijuana in the state of Washington.
It would allow anyone over the age of 21 to purchase up to an ounce of marijuana, sixteen ounces of marijuana-infused products, or 72 ounces of liquid marijuana-infused products.
It would also allow producers to grow marijuana, the liquor board to regulate the sales, and the state to tax the sales (initially an excise tax of 25% wholesale price).
The initiative bans the public use of marijuana and the act of driving under the influence of marijuana. It allocates all of the money collected from the cannabis taxes toward state health and education services.
Source: Washington Secretary of State
Polling on Initiative 502 is very positive and it will probably pass
Survey USA has been conducting repeated polls in Washington, and it seems that support is consolidating around Initiative 502.
A poll published on July 18 indicated that 55% of respondents would vote yes on the initiative with 32% voting no. 13% were undecided, with men supporting the measure more than women by a somewhat significant margin.
Another poll carried out September 7-9 showed 57% of respondents supporting the initiative, 34% voting no, and only 9% undecided.
Colorado, already a cannabis oasis, votes on Amendment 64 to legalize marijuana statewide
The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act — Amendment 64 — if approved by voters would immediately allow for the legal possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for anyone over the age of 21.
The amendment would also allow for the cultivation of marijuana plants, the manufacture of marijuana products and the retail sale of cannabis at approved and regulated locations.
It allows municipal governments to prohibit these locations if they so choose.
The act also requires the Colorado Assembly to enact excise taxes on marijuana and to annually use the first $40 million collected from these taxes towards state public schools.
Source: Regulate Marijuana
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