Marijuana a Winner in 2008 Elections
Voters say 'Yes' in Cannabis-related initiatives.
By Mariann G. Wizard / The Rag Blog / November 9, 2008
Marijuana-related measures on various ballots around the country did fairly well in last Tuesday's elections.
In Michigan, a medical marijuana initiative passed by 63% to 37%, making MI the 13th state to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest and jail. MI becomes the first medical marijuana state in the Midwest, and the second largest in the country (behind California).
In Massachusetts, a landmark initiative to decriminalize marijuana passed 65% to 35%, removing the threat of arrest for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana, and replacing jail time with a $100 fine, payable through the mail. This is the first time that voters anywhere have passed a statewide decrim initiative! Also in MA, four state House districts passed nonbinding public policy questions directing their representatives to vote for legislation allowing seriously ill patients to use cannabis, with the approval of their doctors.
In California, a measure that would have cut public housing benefits for those convicted of recent drug offenses, increased prison and law enforcement spending, and raised penalties for gang-related activities and other crimes, lost 70% to 30%. However, another measure that would have diverted more drug offenders from prison into treatment and improved the marijuana decrim law enacted by CA's lege in 1975 went down to defeat, 60% to 40%. Meanwhile, in Berkeley, a measure to expand non-residential zones where medical marijuana dispensaries can locate, issue zoning certificates, and bring the city's marijuana possession limits into line with recent court rulings passed, 62% to 38%.
Fayetteville, Arkansas and Hawaii County, Hawaii passed measures making adult marijuana offenses the lowest priority for local law enforcement, 66% to 34% in AR and 53% to 39% in HI.
For more information, go to Marijuana Policy Project.
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