Posted: Oct 30, 2013 3:27 pm
GT2211 wrote:http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2013/10/with_national_backing_marijuan.htmlNew Approach Oregon said it will first push for legislators to refer their new measure to the November, 2014 ballot. If that doesn't work, the measure's chief petitioner, Anthony Johnson, said his group will have the resources to collect the 87,213 signatures needed to put the initiative before voters.
Washington and Colorado in 2012 became the first states to legalize the drug for recreational purposes. At the same time, Oregon voters rejected a legalization measure that was much looser. It would have, for example, allowed drinking-age adults to possess unlimited amounts of marijuana and an industry-dominated board would have regulated sales.
New Approach Oregon's measure would allow 21-and-over adults to possess up to eight ounces of dried marijuana and four plants. In addition, sales of the drug would be regulated by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
It's probably inevitable that most States outside the Bible Belt will legalize for recreational use. California will also very likely do this in 2014 and Arizona's probably not far behind. At some point this will force the Federals to change their status of weed and make it legal in the same manner. Given that it should never have been illegal in the first place, this is a good sign that soon most Americans will be able to toke up and enjoy without the threat of arrest and imprisonment.