Marijuana policy reform measures cruised to victory in several states across the nation last night.
Portland, Maine became the first city on the East Coast to legalize marijuana when voters approved Question 1 by a margin of 67-33, removing all penalties for possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana by adults 21 and older.
Marijuana Policy Project was the largest backer of the initiative, and “the huge showing of support in Maine’s most populated city bodes well for our efforts to pass a statewide measure in 2016 to regulate marijuana like alcohol,” wrote Rob Kampia.
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Colorado voters approved a statewide ballot measure 65-35 to establish 25 percent taxes on legal marijuana sales. Proposition AA was referred to the ballot by the General Assembly in accordance with the historic legalization initiative approved by Colorado voters exactly one year ago today. Prop AA is estimated to net Colorado $67 million in annual revenue.
In Michigan, voters in three cities adopted initiatives to remove local penalties for adult marijuana possession. In the state capital, Lansing, about 62 percent of voters cast their ballots in support of ending marijuana prohibition. The measures in Jackson and Ferndale also won by sizeable margins as the cracks in the national wall of prohibition widen.