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It appears that Oregon and D.C. (and possibly Alaska) prefer regulation and taxation to prison sentences. Meanwhile, Florida votes to continue to reject the needs of sick people who might benefit from medical marijuana.
What do you see in terms of legalization and rejection of legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational use in the next few elections? Will the returns on taxation posted by these states increase the momentum for other states considering legalization? Will anti-legalization rhetoric leveraged by stories of negative implications of legalization is the free states have any effect?
In Louisiana, once the politicians see that the marijuana lobby is stronger than the prison system lobby then they will cave in. It's all about the money.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Bernalillo County (ABQ) did a polling measure in favor of reducing penalties that passed. No effect on the law, just a measure to show where people stand the issue. Santa Fe city council voted to reduce pot penalties to minimal fines. I can see New Mexico having legalization on the ballot in 2016, as it starts with grass roots measures like these. Denver and Seattle had similar measures leading up to CO & WA legalizing marijuana statewide.
Portland, Maine voted to legalize pot last year, and its neighboring suburb of South Portland did the same at the polls yesterday. They could be on to something in Maine. I think in 2016, there will be several states than have it on the ballot; likely California, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 11-05-2014 at 08:12 AM..
Portland, Maine voted to legalize pot last year, and its neighboring suburb of South Portland did the same at the polls yesterday. They could be on to something in Maine. I think in 2016, there will be several states than have it on the ballot; likely California, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Arizona.
I am hoping Oregon's large neighbor to the south (California, for those of you fuzzy on your geography) will legalize marijuana as well so that the economics of illegal grows in the forests of Northern California and Southern Oregon become such that they all shut down and make hiking in certain forests a lot less dicey. There have been several reports in the papers about wildlife species that are in seriious decline in a lot of place because of all the rat poison the grows set out, plus the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers which kills streams.
I could see the New England states going next, particularly Vermont & Maine. California is a tougher proposition due to its size, but it was fairly close in 2010 and with current trends it will probably gain enough traction if on the ballot the next two years.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Alaska came through yesterday and legalized it. Being a blue state is not a pre-requisite to legalize marijuana. Though Alaska has a strong libertarian leaning, that paves the way for states like Arizona or Nevada to do the same.
Bernalillo County (ABQ) did a polling measure in favor of reducing penalties that passed. No effect on the law, just a measure to show where people stand the issue. Santa Fe city council voted to reduce pot penalties to minimal fines. I can see New Mexico having legalization on the ballot in 2016, as it starts with grass roots measures like these. Denver and Seattle had similar measures leading up to CO & WA legalizing marijuana statewide.
I am glad to hear the reduced penalties poll passed. Back in September the Albuquerque Journal conducted a statewide poll on legalization for recreational use and 50% opposed, 44% approved wiith 6% unsure. With Oregon, Alaska, and D.C giving legal status, I wonder if that would affect NM's opinions.
I want to think people in states with a small tax base, such as NM, LA, MS, and states with a huge tax burden, such as NY and CA, would look favorably on legalization. But only time will tell.
Massachusetts would probably vote yes if it makes it to the ballot. Helps if it's on a presidential election year. Arizona might have too many old people. Ditto with Maine.
In which states besides Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska do you think Marijuana will be legal before the year 2020?
I guess...
Hawaii
California
Nevada
New Mexico
Minnesota
Maryland
Delaware
New Jersey
New York
Connecticut
Rhode Island
Massachusetts
Vermont
New Hampshire
Maine
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