An article in today’s The Oregonian written by Rick Lyman New York Times News Service indicates, ‘… more than half the states, including some in the conservative South, are considering decriminalizing marijuana or legalizing it for medical or recreational use.’
According to the article, it also appears there might be a bridge between Democrats and Republican on this issue as well. Who knew marijuana had the ability to bring folks together? The articles author writes, “… (marijuana) is no longer a strictly partisan issue issue, the two states considered likeliest this year to follow Colorado and Washington in outright legalization of the drug are Oregon. dominated by liberal Democrats and Alaska, where libertarian Republican’s hold sway.”
That said, the article does note opponents of marijuana legalization ” … seem wary of pushing ahead too quickly without seeing how the rollout of legal marijuana works in Colorado and Washington.” Where as advocates for the legalization of marijuana point to the current administration’s “musings on the discriminatory effect of marijuana prosecutions; and the release of guidelines by the Treasury Department intended to make it easier for banks to do business with legal marijuana businesses.
The articles cites 14 states including Florida are considering new medical marijuana laws this year. And 17 states have seen bills introduced or initiatives begun to legalize the drug for adult use along the lines of alcohol similar to Colorado and Washington.
It appears locally, according to the article, Oregon advocates are pushing to get marijuana legalization on the ballot for November, “Anthony Johnson the director of New Approach Oregon, a coalition that is leading drive there, said advocates are trying to persuade state legislators to put the issue on the November ballot while simultaneously preparing to collect the roughly 88,000 signature that would be needed to force it onto the ballot if the legislators demur.” According to Johnson, in the article, “[a]t the moment, I’d say the odds are no better than 50 percent that the legislature will act,” Johnson said. “But if they don’t, we will just gather the signatures. I am pretty confident we will be able to get them.”
To read the article in its entirety please click on the link.
You may also enjoy reading the following articles related to the legalization / decriminalization of marijuana:
“Northwest Tribes Oppose Marijuana Legalization” from The Columbian (February 26, 2014) – link.
“Marijuana Legalized: now what?” from The Columbian (January 26, 2014) – link.
