Hey hey hey hey, smoke weed every day

[Wraith]

Colorado and Washington have both passed initiatives legalizing pot. Unlike California, these two states have legalized it for recreational use, not just medicinal use. I'm not sure about details of the Colorado law, but in Washington it's going to be legal to possess up to an ounce for anyone over 21. The growing and sale of it is going to be regulated and heavily taxed (25% at each transaction), and toking and driving is now the same as drinking and driving. From what I've heard, the new laws in both states are more permissive than even places like the Netherlands has, since greater amounts are allowed and the growing, processing, and wholesale are now permitted.

Naturally, it probably isn't actually going to be possible to purchase anything legally for a while yet.

Complicating this is that it's still illegal by federal laws. California has been wrestling with the Feds on this before, and that fight is probably going to get a whole lot more interesting with these two states joining in.

Any predictions on what's going to happen, or anyone want room to rant against this?

edit: article!

In a groundbreaking move, Colorado and Washington voters have passed referendums legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

The drug is still banned under federal law.
Colorado's Proposition 64 to the state's constitution makes it legal for anyone over the age of 21 to possess marijuana and for businesses to sell it.

"The voters have spoken and we have to respect their will," Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said in a statement. "This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through. That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug so don't break out the Cheetos or gold fish too quickly."

Amendment 64 legalized marijuana for anyone over the age of 21 at certain retail stores. Proponents believed the bill could generate millions in revenue for the state government.

A similar measure on the ballot in Washington State legalizes small amounts of marijuana for people over 21.

Even though the issues have passed, they are likely to meet legal challenges very quickly.

In 2005, the Supreme Court struck down a California law that legalized medical marijuana in the state. The Court said Congress had the power to criminalize marijuana under the Commerce Clause.

A similar ballot issue to legalize marijuana in Oregon did not pass.

In Massachusetts tonight, voters approved legislation to allow marijuana for medicinal reasons, joining 17 other states that allow it.

In addition to making a presidential pick, voters in states across the country voted on a number of polarizing issues including same-sex marriage and physician assisted suicide.

In another historical first, Maine became the first state to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote and Maryland voters also made the decision to allow same-sex marriage by referendum.

It was backed by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, who is widely believed to be a potential presidential contender in 2016.

The outcome in Maine broke a 32-state streak, dating back to 1998, in which gay marriage had been rebuffed by every state that voted on it.

Dozens of state-wide ballot questions were posed to voters, and their implications could reverberate across state lines.

Source