The Crow here for c4ocradio.com
Three more states legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use on Tuesday. The victories in Michigan, Missouri and Utah expand the significant gains in the movement to legalize marijuana. In both Utah and Missouri, voters legalized marijuana for medical purposes ― the 31st and 32nd states to approve medical cannabis. Voters in Michigan legalized recreational marijuana, making it the 10th state in the nation and the first state in the Midwest to do so. North Dakota, voters rejected a measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana. Steve Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project said “this is yet another rejected election for the movement to end marijuana prohibition.“ “Voters have once again sent a message loud and clear that it is time to legalize and regulate marijuana. The Michigan victory highlights just how widespread support is for marijuana policy reform. Michigan voters approved Proposal 1, allowing adults 21 and older to buy, grow, use and possess marijuana for recreational purposes. Adults can grow up to 12 marijuana plants in their homes for personal use. Additionally, the initiative legalizes the cultivation of industrial hemp, which can be used to make textiles, biofuels and foods. Under the measure, adults can be in possession of 2.5 ounces of marijuana, a provision similar to the state’s medical marijuana law that was approved in 2008.
This issue does not only enjoy strong support on the coasts but also in the Midwest and all throughout the country.” Voters in Missouri were considering three separate proposals to legalize medical marijuana on their ballot, and all three aimed to legalize the use, purchase and possession of marijuana for medical purposes and would allow the state to set up a regulatory framework for licensed dispensaries. On Tuesday night, just one passed. Amendment 2 legalized medical marijuana and imposes a 4 percent tax on all marijuana sales. That revenue will be used for health care services for veterans. The Salt Lake Tribune in Utah, projected that voters would approve Proposition 2, which allows patients to legally use, possess and purchase marijuana for medical purposes for conditions such as HIV, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, epilepsy, autism, cancer and Alzheimer’s. The measure would ban the smoking of marijuana but does allow vaping, marijuana-infused edibles and other means of consumption. During any 14-day period, a state-licensed cardholder could purchase as much as 2 ounces of marijuana. Beginning in 2021, medical marijuana cardholders who live more than 100 miles from a state-licensed dispensary would be allowed to grow as many as six marijuana plants for personal medicinal use. However, access to legal medical marijuana was likely in the state, regardless if the measure passed. In October, Utah medical marijuana advocates and state lawmakers agreed to a compromise bill that would legalize medical marijuana in the state but with some differences from the ballot initiative.
The Crow is a contributing writer for c4ocradio.com/listenlive
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