Voters in Washington and Colorado legalize recreational marijuana
 

It's been quite the night for marijuana in several ballot measures across the country.
Voters in Washington state and Colorado appear to have voted "yes" on measures that would legalize the sale of pot to adults, without the need for a doctor's prescription.
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Massachusetts voters have overwhelmingly approved a medical marijuana ballot measure. (AP)
(The final votes are still being counted.) And earlier Tuesday evening, voters in Massachusetts overwhelmingly approved the measure to allow the use of medical marijuana.
Oregon voters have to decide on a similar measure to those passed in Washington and Colorado, which would allow marijuana use for any individual over the age of 21, but it appears to have been defeated.
Arkansas's medical marijuana initiative also appears to have been defeated.
Montana, which already has a medical marijuana law, is voting on whether or not to restrict patient access in the state.
So far, states that have approved medical marijuana have walked a fine line with federal laws that still prohibit the sale of marijuana under any circumstances. The full legalization of marijuana in these two states is expected to increase that tension between local and federal laws.
In total, six states are considering marijuana initiatives.
"Now that this law has been passed [in Massachusetts], it will finally be legal and safe for myself and many others in the state to procure the medicine," Eric McCoy, 59, told the Boston Globe.
NBC News reports that 17 states and the District of Columbia already have laws allowing for the medical use of marijuana, according to the National Council of Legislatures.

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Re: Voters in Washington and Colorado legalize recreational marijuana
 

It was only a matter of time.

Re: Voters in Washington and Colorado legalize recreational marijuana
 

Don't smoke but I'm all for it. Thing is, the states that are doing this don't even have the ideal conditions to grow it outdoors. During WWII it was grown in Kentucy for the fibers. Good material and better for the environment if applied to the right applications.

Hemp For Victory - YouTube

Re: Voters in Washington and Colorado legalize recreational marijuana
 

Crap.

Re: Voters in Washington and Colorado legalize recreational marijuana
 

I guess its a good way to get some of my tax money back from those government dependent slackers. :p

Anyone else find the irony in liberals wanting to legalize pot but ban Big Gulps?

Re: Voters in Washington and Colorado legalize recreational marijuana
 

I fear this might be like opening Pandoras box.

Re: Voters in Washington and Colorado legalize recreational marijuana
 

Economics. Massive revenue loss for tobacco, decreased funding for law enforcement. Much like the flat tax debate. Great idea but it will never happen. There is no way the government is going legalize marijuana. They are about to start kicking in doors. So TAX it they say. Really?

For one, these morons can't agree on anything and two, they are controlled by corporations and special interests groups.

Re: Voters in Washington and Colorado legalize recreational marijuana
 

I worked for a German automotive supplier to BMW that long championed the use of hemp fiber for automotive interiors and introduced the concept around this region in the late '90s. At first it was the source of a lot of jokes, but when you looked at their research & development, it made a lot of sense.

Re: Voters in Washington and Colorado legalize recreational marijuana
 

Sounds good to me. I've been in the "legalize it" camp for some time, but I'm quite aware the theory is often much better than the practice ... especially with the government involved.

It shouldn't be any more complicated than the taxation and regulation of alcohol, but I fear it WILL be. And frankly, the fed is probably gonna put the screws to this, no matter what the state voters want.

Still, it's a good start.

Re: Voters in Washington and Colorado legalize recreational marijuana
 

I think the only way it gets legalized nationally/federally is if they use it commercially in manufacturing, there is where you'll see some real profits. Recreational use won't create the windfall like tobacco many think because it's so easy to just grow your own and people will sidestep buying manufactured marijuana in favor of doing-it-yourself.