Legalization Wins Big on Election Night 2013
The movement to legalize and regulate adult marijuana use continued to gain momentum last night, as voters in four separate cities overwhelmingly approved citywide ballot measures eliminating criminal and civil penalties for adults who possesses the plant.
Portland's Question 1 claimed victory on election night, making Portland the first city on the East Coast to legalize possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for adults over 21. Question 1 was approved by nearly 70% of the vote, with only around 30% voting in opposition.
"I'd like to thank NORML Communications Director Erik Altieri and the NORML organization as a whole for their efforts supporting our initiative to legalize marijuana in Portland," said Representative Diane Russell (D-Portland), "Together, NORML and our allies helped send a clear message to Maine and the nation that it is time for a new approach to marijuana. The overwhelming approval of Question 1 was a victory for science, common sense, and liberty."
In addition to Portland, three localities in Michigan (Ferndale, Jackson, and Lansing) all voted in support of marijuana legalization today by huge margins. The three areas had similar proposals to remove criminal and civil penalties for personal possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana.
Ferndale won by the largest margin with 69.2% of voters approving the measure. Jackson approved their ordinance with 61% support and only 39% opposed and Lansing passed theirs with 63% support.
"These votes in Michigan, along with the resounding vote in Portland, Maine illustrate that not only are the American people considering moving towards legalization of marijuana, they overwhelmingly are demanding it," stated NORML Communications Director Erik Altieri, "Politicians must open their eyes to the political reality that legalization has arrived and is supported by a massive majority of voters. If they continue to drag their feet on the issue, we will take it to the people wherever possible, and we will win."
2014 is shaping up to be an even busier year for marijuana law reform than 2013, with statewide ballot measures being planned in several states and dozens of pieces of legislation being prepared for introduction. Help us keep up the momentum and fight onward toward legalization nationwide by joining NORML or making a donation today.
Together, we will legalize marijuana.
The movement to legalize and regulate adult marijuana use continued to gain momentum last night, as voters in four separate cities overwhelmingly approved citywide ballot measures eliminating criminal and civil penalties for adults who possesses the plant.
Portland's Question 1 claimed victory on election night, making Portland the first city on the East Coast to legalize possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for adults over 21. Question 1 was approved by nearly 70% of the vote, with only around 30% voting in opposition.
"I'd like to thank NORML Communications Director Erik Altieri and the NORML organization as a whole for their efforts supporting our initiative to legalize marijuana in Portland," said Representative Diane Russell (D-Portland), "Together, NORML and our allies helped send a clear message to Maine and the nation that it is time for a new approach to marijuana. The overwhelming approval of Question 1 was a victory for science, common sense, and liberty."
In addition to Portland, three localities in Michigan (Ferndale, Jackson, and Lansing) all voted in support of marijuana legalization today by huge margins. The three areas had similar proposals to remove criminal and civil penalties for personal possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana.
Ferndale won by the largest margin with 69.2% of voters approving the measure. Jackson approved their ordinance with 61% support and only 39% opposed and Lansing passed theirs with 63% support.
"These votes in Michigan, along with the resounding vote in Portland, Maine illustrate that not only are the American people considering moving towards legalization of marijuana, they overwhelmingly are demanding it," stated NORML Communications Director Erik Altieri, "Politicians must open their eyes to the political reality that legalization has arrived and is supported by a massive majority of voters. If they continue to drag their feet on the issue, we will take it to the people wherever possible, and we will win."
2014 is shaping up to be an even busier year for marijuana law reform than 2013, with statewide ballot measures being planned in several states and dozens of pieces of legislation being prepared for introduction. Help us keep up the momentum and fight onward toward legalization nationwide by joining NORML or making a donation today.
Together, we will legalize marijuana.