(Reuters) - Voters in the U.S. capital and two WestCoast states will decide on Tuesday during national midtermelections whether to legalize marijuana in a test for broadercannabis legalization efforts across the United States.
Ballot measures in Oregon and Alaska would set up a networkof regulated pot shops, similar to those already operating inColorado and Washington state after twin landmark votes in 2012.A measure in the District of Columbia would allow possession butnot retail sales.
The referendums come amid rapid shifts in Americans'opinions on marijuana in recent years that have seen efforts tolegalize cannabis creep closer toward the mainstream and broughtabout sweeping pot policy changes in states and cities, wherethe drug remains illegal under federal law.
"Win or lose, we expect to see more support and moredialogue about the issue than ever," said Mason Tvert, aspokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, which is working onlegalization measures in California and other states for 2016.
Legalization advocates backed by national organizations havehad more cash to spend in Oregon and Alaska on advertisements,get-out-the-vote drives and other campaigning, which hasincluded a reporter quitting her job on live television anddeclaring her support of legal weed.
"Anything short of easy passage in all states is a majordefeat for the deep pockets of the legalization advocates," saidKevin Sabet, co-founder of anti-legalization group SmartApproaches to Marijuana.
Polls have shown a narrow majority favoring legal pot, withone poll showing the opposite, in left-leaning Oregon, wherevoters rejected a 2012 recreational pot measure. Polling hasbeen inconsistent in Alaska, a Republican-leaning state with alibertarian streak.
But the D.C. measure has been favored by a two-to-onemargin, and advocates say it is needed to decrease thedisproportionate number of blacks arrested for pot possession.The measure would allow adults 21 and over to possess up to 2ounces of cannabis and grow up to six plants.
Meanwhile, a proposed constitutional amendment to makeFlorida the 24th state and the first in the South to allowmedical marijuana faces an uphill battle after well-fundedconservative opposition.
And two Maine cities, Lewiston and South Portland, will voteon whether to legalize the possession of small amounts ofrecreational marijuana. (Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle; Editing by NickMacfie)
Ballot measures in Oregon and Alaska would set up a networkof regulated pot shops, similar to those already operating inColorado and Washington state after twin landmark votes in 2012.A measure in the District of Columbia would allow possession butnot retail sales.
The referendums come amid rapid shifts in Americans'opinions on marijuana in recent years that have seen efforts tolegalize cannabis creep closer toward the mainstream and broughtabout sweeping pot policy changes in states and cities, wherethe drug remains illegal under federal law.
"Win or lose, we expect to see more support and moredialogue about the issue than ever," said Mason Tvert, aspokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, which is working onlegalization measures in California and other states for 2016.
Legalization advocates backed by national organizations havehad more cash to spend in Oregon and Alaska on advertisements,get-out-the-vote drives and other campaigning, which hasincluded a reporter quitting her job on live television anddeclaring her support of legal weed.
"Anything short of easy passage in all states is a majordefeat for the deep pockets of the legalization advocates," saidKevin Sabet, co-founder of anti-legalization group SmartApproaches to Marijuana.
Polls have shown a narrow majority favoring legal pot, withone poll showing the opposite, in left-leaning Oregon, wherevoters rejected a 2012 recreational pot measure. Polling hasbeen inconsistent in Alaska, a Republican-leaning state with alibertarian streak.
But the D.C. measure has been favored by a two-to-onemargin, and advocates say it is needed to decrease thedisproportionate number of blacks arrested for pot possession.The measure would allow adults 21 and over to possess up to 2ounces of cannabis and grow up to six plants.
Meanwhile, a proposed constitutional amendment to makeFlorida the 24th state and the first in the South to allowmedical marijuana faces an uphill battle after well-fundedconservative opposition.
And two Maine cities, Lewiston and South Portland, will voteon whether to legalize the possession of small amounts ofrecreational marijuana. (Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle; Editing by NickMacfie)
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