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| Measures to legalize marijuana have been passed in Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, DC. Image: Shutterstock |
Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, DC voted to legalize
marijuana this month, allowing residents over the age of 21 to possess varying
degrees of the drug for recreational purposes.
DC voters approved Initiative 71, which allows adults over
21 to possess up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use, as well as
growing up to six plants. Advocates were
pleased, but lawmakers were concerned by the lack of regulatory framework,
which they believe might cause trouble down the line. As it now stands, the law could take effect
as early as March 2015 if the city council doesn’t find a way to delay
implementation. Though a Republican
lawmaker from Maryland has expressed the intent to block the law, Senator
Rand Paul said he opposes congressional interference with the will of city
voters.
Oregon
voters approved Measure 91, also called the “Oregon Legalized Marijuana
Initiative,” which allows adults 21 or older to possess up to eight ounces of
dried marijuana, but fewer plants than would be legal for DC residents. In addition, this measure allows in-state
manufacturing, processing, taxation, and sale.
And, unlike the DC law, it provides for regulation from the Oregon
Liquor Control Commission.
In Alaska, Ballot Measure 2 will allow residents over 21 to
possess up to one ounce of marijuana and up to six plants. As in Oregon, manufacture, sale, taxation,
and possession will be legal. The win
for marijuana activists in Alaska in particular suggests that the myth
of legalization only in blue states is false—Alaska also replaced its
Democratic senator with a Republican, and the state hasn’t voted for a
Democratic president since 1964.
The US territory
of Guam also voted to legalize marijuana, but Florida couldn’t put together the
60% supermajority required to approve medical marijuana, falling short by three
points.
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