Washington, DC: Millions of Americans cast votes on Election Day in favor of sweeping statewide marijuana law reforms.
Voters in four states: California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada approved ballot measures legalizing the adult use of cannabis and licensing its commercial production and retail sale. Voters in four additional states: Arkansas, Florida, Montana, and North Dakota approved initiatives legalizing and/or expanding the use and dispensing of cannabis for therapeutic purposes.
In all, 29 states now authorize the medical use of cannabis by statute. Eight states, home to some 64 million Americans, now authorize the adult use and sale of marijuana.
Commenting on the results, Erik Altieiri, NORML’s new Executive Director said: “The American people have spoken and spoken clearly. They do not support prosecuting and stigmatizing responsible adults who choose to consume a substance that is safer than either alcohol or many prescription medications. These results provide a mandate to the incoming administration and to Congress to reform federal laws in a manner that comports with marijuana’s rapidly changing legal and cultural status.”
Broader statewide sentencing reform measures were also enacted by voters in California (Proposition 57) and Oklahoma (State Question 780). Voters in four Ohio municipalities (Newark, Bellaire, Logan, and Roseville) passed local measures eliminating penalties regarding the possession of up to 200 grams of marijuana.
“These victories represent a repudiation of America’s ongoing war against marijuana consumers and the mentality that if ‘you do drugs, you do time,'” said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano. “Marijuana use and marijuana markets are here to stay, and it is high time to legalize and regulate these activities accordingly.”
For more information, please contact Erik Altieri, NORML Executive Director, or Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director. Detailed summaries of all eight state initiatives are available at: http://blog.norml.org/.