As we have all heard by now, California's attempt to legalize cannabis for recreational use ended with a 54% to 46% loss. Word from some advocates and people who are in support of recreational legalization is that Proposition 19 was poorly constructed, and would have garnered more support if it was clearer.
Regardless, 46% support is a lot better than what would have been expected 10 years ago. Support for the cause is growing.
Arizona's Medical Marijuana Initiative 203 is undecided as of today. The results are too close to call with remaining ballots to count. As of now, the initiative is 7,000 votes short of being a perfect tie, and reports say there are tens of thousands of votes still to count.
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UPDATE: AZ passed its medical marijuana measure.
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South Dakota's Medical Marijuana Initiative 13 did not come close to passing at 63% to 37%. Additionally, Oregon's Measure 74 performed similarly to California's Pop 19 with a 56% to 44% loss.
Several municipalities in California and Colorado voted on local issues to tax and/or ban medical marijuana dispensaries. Sacramento voted 70% in favor of taxing medical cannabis. Measure C would have taxed recreation cannabis sales at 10%, but will now tax medical nugs at 4%.
Oakland raised it's levy on medical cannabis to 5%. Rancho Cordova passed Measure O with 56% support to charge $600-$900 per square foot on private grows.
Berkeley voted to allow industrial grow ops, and in unison with Stockton, added their own 2.5% sales tax on the medicinal plant. San Jose now has a 10% tax on any marijuana-related business transactions.
Colorado towns also voted on various bans. Over 40 municipalities voted to ban dispensaries or allow certain types of medical marijuana distribution facilities. Alamosa, Costilla, Eagle, El Paso, and Park counties approved dispensaries along with the towns of Fraser and Minturn. Garfield County voted to approve commercial medical grows.
Along with 30 other municipalities, larger towns like Aurora, Broomfield, Loveland, as well as Mesa County banned dispensaries all together. Either the new regulation is not sufficient, or we need to ask our lawmakers to go through the same process next time they want to pass a law that gives local municipalities the idea they can violate the state Constitution. Maligning in action, this one is based in principals of Western medicine consumption.
In Massachusetts voters passed seven policy questions that will ask legislators to vote for legalizing medical marijuana, and seven questions passed the same for recreational marijuana. Wisconsin also approved a referenda to request legislative approval of medical marijuana in the state.
While this election might seem like a lot of losses sprinkled with a few wins, this election is evidence that the movement to correct the horrifically atrocious wrongs of yesteryear and restore basic human rights to all are swinging in the right direction.
Comments
The citizens of Paonia Colorado successfully voted to ban marijuana dispensaries. This summer it seemed as if the town would be invaded by pot businesses. People got fed up and said "NO".
The author is uninformed. The cities and counties in Colorado were voting on allowing commercial marijuana production and sales like medical marijuana dispensaries.
Colorado's State Constitution Amendment 20 only allows for PRIVATE use of medical marijuana and specifically prohibits commercial for profit sales. A 'care giver' can supply 5 patients privately under Amendment 20.
The ballot proposals in Colorado went way beyond Amendment 20 in what they proposed. Marijuana WAS NOT banned in any Colorado city or county with yesterday's vote results. Amendment 20 still stands it was only the commercial business not allowed in 20 they chose not to approve.
With all due respect, I am curious how the information here is incorrect? If you kindly refer to the article, you will see that what was stated is, in deed, fact. I did not say anywhere that marijuana was banned per vote, but rather dispensaries.
Furthermore, it doesn't say anything anywhere in Amendment XX of the Colorado State Constitution about a five patient caregiver limit. This was imposed through HB 10-1284 and SB 10-109.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, no person, including a patient or primary care-giver, shall be entitled to the protection of this section for his or her acquisition, possession, manufacture, production, use, sale, distribution, dispensing, or transportation of marijuana for any use other than medical use.
I suggest a re-visit to the 20th for clarification. There is also nothing in there about commercial anything. HB 10-1284 is what I believe you are referring to, and that has nothing to do with the constitution or our rights, it is legislated by state law-makers at the state capital. Right v. Law...
@L. Weston, Respectfully, you g0t pwn'd!!!! OHHHHHH!!! y0u sux0rz!!!
I appreicate your viewpoint and curious to hear you comment on mine as I have a 'no taxation' attitude with marijuana. It punishes those who go the natural route as opposed to the pharma route where insurance pays most and they don't face any special taxes.
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