This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/07/marijuana-ballot-initiatives-colorado-legalization
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Marijuana ballot measures: US voters send mixed message on pot | Marijuana ballot measures: US voters send mixed message on pot |
| (5 months later) | |
| The results are in from the US 2012 elections, and among the many issues voters weighed in on were several ballot initiatives regulating the sale and legality of marijuana. The pot measures in Oregon, Washington, Montana and Colorado seemed set to pass. Here is how they broke down on election night: | The results are in from the US 2012 elections, and among the many issues voters weighed in on were several ballot initiatives regulating the sale and legality of marijuana. The pot measures in Oregon, Washington, Montana and Colorado seemed set to pass. Here is how they broke down on election night: |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Measure: Eliminating state civil and criminal penalties for patients who use medical marijuana Result: Yes, 63% to 37% How we called it: Yes, by 25 to 30 percentage points | Measure: Eliminating state civil and criminal penalties for patients who use medical marijuana Result: Yes, 63% to 37% How we called it: Yes, by 25 to 30 percentage points |
| Arkansas | Arkansas |
| Measure: Legalizing the use of medical marijuana and establishing nonprofit dispensaries to supply the drug Result: Against, 51% to 49% How we called it: Against, by 15 to 20 percentage points | Measure: Legalizing the use of medical marijuana and establishing nonprofit dispensaries to supply the drug Result: Against, 51% to 49% How we called it: Against, by 15 to 20 percentage points |
| Colorado | Colorado |
| Measure: Legalizing marijuana use for those 21 years and over. It would also be regulated and taxed much like tobacco and alcohol Result: Yes, 55% to 45% How we called it: Yes, by 5 to 10 percentage points | Measure: Legalizing marijuana use for those 21 years and over. It would also be regulated and taxed much like tobacco and alcohol Result: Yes, 55% to 45% How we called it: Yes, by 5 to 10 percentage points |
| Montana | Montana |
| Measure: Impose tighter restrictions on the use, cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana Result: For, 57% to 43% How we called it: For, by 15 to 30 percentage points | Measure: Impose tighter restrictions on the use, cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana Result: For, 57% to 43% How we called it: For, by 15 to 30 percentage points |
| Oregon | Oregon |
| Measure: Legalizing the use and cultivation of marijuana without a license, while a commission would regulate commercial cultivation/sale Result: No, 55% to 45% How we called it: No, by 5 to 10 percentage points | Measure: Legalizing the use and cultivation of marijuana without a license, while a commission would regulate commercial cultivation/sale Result: No, 55% to 45% How we called it: No, by 5 to 10 percentage points |
| Washington | Washington |
| Measure: Loosening restrictions on the sale, production and use of marijuana, with a 25% excise tax imposed on commercial sales of the drug Result: Yes, 55% to 45% How we called it: Yes, by 10 to 20 percentage points | Measure: Loosening restrictions on the sale, production and use of marijuana, with a 25% excise tax imposed on commercial sales of the drug Result: Yes, 55% to 45% How we called it: Yes, by 10 to 20 percentage points |
| Joanna Walters reported on the three key states that would essentially be outright legalizing marijuana in the lead up to election day – in the end, only Oregon failed to pass the measure. States legalizing cannabis is seen by many as being in defiance of the federal government's annual $44bn war on drugs, which the Global Commission on Drug Policy declared a failure: | Joanna Walters reported on the three key states that would essentially be outright legalizing marijuana in the lead up to election day – in the end, only Oregon failed to pass the measure. States legalizing cannabis is seen by many as being in defiance of the federal government's annual $44bn war on drugs, which the Global Commission on Drug Policy declared a failure: |
| If recreational use is approved, a new drug industry would inevitably boom and the states expect a tax bonanza from the income generated. Colorado plans to spend the first $40m a year on schools, although the state's largest teachers' union is firmly against legalisation. A yes vote would allow the possession and private use of up to an ounce of cannabis, but it would not be legal to smoke a joint in the street. | If recreational use is approved, a new drug industry would inevitably boom and the states expect a tax bonanza from the income generated. Colorado plans to spend the first $40m a year on schools, although the state's largest teachers' union is firmly against legalisation. A yes vote would allow the possession and private use of up to an ounce of cannabis, but it would not be legal to smoke a joint in the street. |
| However, owners of medical dispensaries are worried that in the midst of the federal government taking the states to court over the issue, the progresses made by the medical community will be set back. | However, owners of medical dispensaries are worried that in the midst of the federal government taking the states to court over the issue, the progresses made by the medical community will be set back. |
| The case of disabled veteran Michael Krawitz covered by Karen McVeigh highlights the struggles many US citizens face in trying to attain medical marijuana today: | The case of disabled veteran Michael Krawitz covered by Karen McVeigh highlights the struggles many US citizens face in trying to attain medical marijuana today: |
| Krawitz now divides his time between Oregon, the only state that allows non-residents to use medical marijuana, and his family's home state Virginia, where medical marijuana is illegal. His needs are now met by three different physicians, with his medical records split accordingly, he said. | Krawitz now divides his time between Oregon, the only state that allows non-residents to use medical marijuana, and his family's home state Virginia, where medical marijuana is illegal. His needs are now met by three different physicians, with his medical records split accordingly, he said. |
| Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson contributed his thoughts on the issue last month to Comment is free, emphasizing the inherent failure in banning marijuana: | Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson contributed his thoughts on the issue last month to Comment is free, emphasizing the inherent failure in banning marijuana: |
| Think of the strain and costs to our law enforcement, court system and prisons. And for what? Is marijuana use decreasing? No. Are cartels any less powerful and violent? I'm afraid not. Is pot difficult for minors to obtain? Nope. In fact, when polled, kids say it's easier to get marijuana than it is to get alcohol. Why? It's simple. Black market dealers don't ID. | Think of the strain and costs to our law enforcement, court system and prisons. And for what? Is marijuana use decreasing? No. Are cartels any less powerful and violent? I'm afraid not. Is pot difficult for minors to obtain? Nope. In fact, when polled, kids say it's easier to get marijuana than it is to get alcohol. Why? It's simple. Black market dealers don't ID. |
| In sum, it was a historic night for advocates of the legalization of marijuana with the victories in Colorado and Washington. However, it is only a matter of time before the federal government steps in to challenge them. | In sum, it was a historic night for advocates of the legalization of marijuana with the victories in Colorado and Washington. However, it is only a matter of time before the federal government steps in to challenge them. |
| guardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8am |