8 States May Legalize Marijuana This Year Did Yours Make the List?
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February 9, 2012
2012 has only just begun and it is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting and active years for marijuana law reform in some time. More than a dozen state legislatures are currently considering reform measures in some respect and 8 states are attempting to put legalization initiatives before voters this November.
Many of these efforts are still in the signature gathering stage. Check out the list below to see if you might be able to vote ‘Yes’ on marijuana legalization in your state this year and how you can get involved to make that a reality. In addition to the legalization initiatives below several states, such as Ohio and Massachusetts, are working to also put medical marijuana initiatives before voters this year. To stay up to date on all the efforts to reform marijuana laws you can follow our “Legalize It 2012″ hub on Facebook and Twitter.
California
Regulate Marijuana Like Wine
Details: “The “Regulate Marijuana Like Wine” initiative intends to repeal prohibition of marijuana for adults, strictly regulate marijuana, just like the wine industry, allow for hemp agriculture and products while not changing laws regarding medical marijuana, impairment, work place drug laws, or laws regarding vehicle operation. This initiative would also provide specific personal possession exemptions, require dismissal of pending court cases for marijuana possession, and ban the advertising of non-medical marijuana.”
Learn More: www.regulatemarijuanalikewine.com
Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act 2012
Details: “Aims to repeal current state criminal laws prohibiting the personal possession, use, transportation, and cultivation of cannabis by adults 19 years of age and older. During the first 180-days following the passage of the Act, the Legislature is authorized to create the California Cannabis Commission. This Commission will develop appropriate regulations for the commercial production and sales of cannabis, including licensing and taxation. Individuals are allowed to possess up to three pounds and grow a 100 sq. ft. canopy without being subject to regulations. It maintains penalties for possession by persons under 19, distribution to persons under 19, and driving while impaired.”
More Info: www.repealcannabisprohibition.org
Colorado
Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act
Details: “The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012 makes the adult use of marijuana legal, establishes a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol, and allows for the cultivation of industrial hemp.”
More Info: www.regulatemarijuana.org
Michigan
The 2012 Michigan Ballot Initiative to End Marijuana Prohibition
Details: “Proposes a state constitutional amend that states: “For persons who are at least 21 years of age who are not incarcerated, marihuana acquisition, cultivation, manufacture, sale, delivery, transfer, transportation, possession, ingestion, presence in or on the body, religious, medical, industrial, agricultural, commercial or personal use, or possession or use of paraphernalia shall not be prohibited, abridged or penalized in any manner, nor subject to civil forfeiture; provided that no person shall be permitted to operate an aircraft, motor vehicle, motorboat, ORV, snowmobile, train, or other heavy or dangerous equipment or machinery while impaired by marihuana.”
More Info: www.help.repealtoday.org
Missouri
Show-Me Cannabis Regulation
Details: “A constitutional measure which would regulate cannabis like alcohol, provide access to medicine for cannabis patients, and open a market for farming industrial hemp in Missouri.”
More Info: www.show-mecannabis.com
Montana
Montana First: Ending Criminal Penalties for Marijuana
Details: “The new petition is for a proposed amendment to the state constitution. It would add just two sentences to a portion of the constitution concerning adult rights, which already contains a reference to the legal age for the consumption of alcohol. [Stating] Adults have the right to responsibly purchase, consume, produce, and possess marijuana, subject to reasonable limitations, regulations, and taxation. Except for actions that endanger minors, children, or public safety, no criminal offense or penalty of this state shall apply to such activities.”
More Info: www.montanafirst2012.org
Nebraska
The Nebraska Cannabis Initiative
Details: “Add Proposition 19 to the Nebraska Constitution whose object is to regulate and tax all commercial uses of cannabis, also known as marijuana, and to remove all laws regulating the private, noncommercial use of cannabis.”
More Info: www.neprop19.org
Oregon
Oregon Cannabis Tax Act of 2012
Details: “The Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2012 is a citizen’s initiative campaign to regulate marijuana and restore hemp. Just as ending alcohol prohibition and regulating that market has protected society, regulating marijuana will help wipe out crime. Restoring hemp, made from the seeds and stems of the marijuana plant for fuel, fiber and food, will put Oregon on the cutting edge of exciting new sustainable green industries and create untold multitudes of new jobs.”
More Info: www.cannabistaxact.org
Citizens for Sensible Law Enforcement: Initiative IP-24
Details: “Currently known as IP-24, the measure would allow adults over 21 to use marijuana for personal use without fear of criminal sanctions. The bill has substantial safeguards to protect children and public safety. With hundreds of signature gatherers on the streets every day, CSLE is confident the measure will appear on the November 2012 ballot.”
More Info: www.ompicampaign2012.org
Washington
Initiative 502
Details: “Washington State Initiative Measure No. 502 (I-502) would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution, and possession for persons over twenty-one; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues.”
More Info: www.newapproachwa.org
Get up to the minute updates on all of the marijuana initiatives in play in 2012 by following Legalize It 2012 on Facebook and Twitter.
40 Responses to “8 States May Legalize Marijuana This Year – Did Yours Make the List?”
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Article source: http://blog.norml.org/2012/02/09/8-states-may-legalize-marijuana-this-year-did-yours-make-the-list/
wtf is worng with georgia, us georgians like to smoke and we need safe medication too!!!
I want to move to one of those places!!! NC sux.
Why is Florida not on this list? Maybe if they legalized it all these old people would stay home smoking and not be causing accidents all over the roads.
Florida actually is currently looking into medical marijuana ballot measures, this list covers strictly legalization efforts thus their exclusion.
WTF is up with Minnesota, thought Minnesota was in the running for for the passing H.R. 2306
I think that the people’s say so should count,because we vote every year for what,not to have a say so on what goes on in our state…I think that’s wrong…Because you don’t see marijuana users recking and killing people,stealing or any other crimes…It’s the pill heads and drunks,crack heads and so on..But,I know it probably don’t matter what us West Virginian’s say you all will do what you want..But,if you smart at all,just sit and think about what i am saying..You all claim to be smart,but i didn’t even finish or get a collage degree and I am smart enough to have common sense..
Because when a person has smoked,you don’t worry about going out and doing them crimes I mentioned,you just want to set back and enjoy and relax…
Oh but ask Newt Gingrich and it’s more immoral now than when he was smoking it. What a load of crap! If it’s so immoral then why are 8 states considering legalizing it? Newt=liar/hypocrite.
I still won’t to see marijuana on the ballot in Georgia. Won’t a legislator with the balls introduce a bill to do just that? If not when? Buster Jones Albany,GA.
This just makes me sad because this is 2012 EVERY state should have already legalized and regulated it. Come Georgia legalize it already!!
what about oklahoma? why are we not on there? i hate this state!….. ]:
HR 2306 is a federal bill, so it has to be passed by both houses of congress in DC and then signed by the president. With the current political climate action on it is unlikely in the immediate future. To our knowledge there is currently no active initiatives for marijuana legalization in Minnesota.
How about NH gov lynch is gone this year??
also from your exp how would vt be to relocate based on mmj
I don’t understand any state that doesn’t legalize and regulate mmj……I’ve lived in Montana and California, and, if other states would use their examples, we’d have more calm, happy, helpful people….I live in Indiana now, and, I miss the relief that mmj provides….get with the program America!
The southern states are the bible belt which refuse to come out of the stone ages and legalize it. Maybe our great grandkids will have the pleasure.
What is Texas doing to get it legalized? In Travis County, if you are carrying less than 2 oz., you just have to dump it out you get a ticket
You missed KENTUCKY… SB 129 was introduced Jan 30th.. The Gatewood Galbraith Memorial Medical Marijuana Act of 2012
This list is just legalization initiatives, not including medical initiatives or efforts in the legislature. It is worth noting that SB 129, as written, would be a completely ineffective bill. The language used within it refers to “prescriptions” and reschedule within the state, but as long as marijuana is a Schedule I drug federally there will not be a single doctor who can write a prescription for it. Doctors can only “recommend” medical cannabis, not “prescribe.”
I live in AZ and I am a MMJ card holder and i recently got arrested for having a joint in my ashtray. AZ is one of the hardest states when it comes to drugged driving so now the officer that arrested me is trying to say i was smoking and driving just because of the roach and my windows were down. This whole prohibition on cannabis is getting a little out of hand i mean a joint in the ashtray of a medical user and they are still trying to put me in PRISON (yes prison not jail) for 4 months because my urine analisis came up positive. long story short the plant needs to be freed.
how will any states regulate the driving while impaired on marijuana….as far as i know there is no test to see if you just had used it compared to using the nite or even 2 weeks prior?
I couldn’t help but notice that although these initiatives provide for regulation, they do not provide an affirmative protection against discrimination employers, landlords, ect. Does that mean that the presence of metabolites in one’s system subjects that person to sanctions from employers?
Thanks!
*sigh* Kansas will never be on this list, will it?
New York needs to step up! Politics Politics Politics!!!! It’s safer than the booze you drink, and has many other uses.
ugggg…. what about CT…. we were sooooo close to medical marijuana but jodey rell just had to mess it up…, then the second time we get a bill it gets held up and dismissed….
New Mexico WHERE ARE YOU ???
Texas will never pass it its to much blue law state. I live in texas but also live in hawaii and I have my card in hawaii.
This is good news for the marijuana movement.. but we need it decriminalized on the FEDERAL level.. you already see whats happening with the medical.. yes people write houses.. but lets not forget to write our federal reps!
The odds of at least one state making it are a lot better than what prop 19 had. I agree that the feds need to get HR2306 done, but at least the states are moving, and if it passes in one of them i’m moving. Thanks to everyone for the hard work, and sorry to all of us who have suffered the evils of prohibition.
COME ON MASSACHUSETTS!!!!!
All 50 states should legalize it!
OLYMPIA, WA- Washington state law enforcement says legalizing marijuana would only make matters worse.
Testifying before a joint house senate committee today, Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza told lawmakers Initiative 502 would lead to more traffic fatalities and organized crime.
“We do know that Asian gangs and motorcycle gangs do control the marijuana distribution and sales,” Snaza said. “So what’s to make us think that it wouldn’t occur in this state?”
The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs opposes the measure. If voters approve the initiative in November, Washington adults would be allowed to possess small amounts of marijuana, sales would be taxed, and revenue would go toward substance abuse education and health care.
Hey fellow Oregonians! We really want a chance to vote on this, this November…we need signatures and signature gatherers. OCTA 2012. Let’s have the intire West coast start to change the world!
Texas needs 2 wake the fuck up legalize it so maybe we can keep these boarder jumpimg wetbacks from crossing the border
I just hope that someone, anyone, legalizes in 2012! We need SOMEONE, ANYONE to do so! Let’s go! We can do this!
I can’t wait to see it legal in Oklahoma.Pot smokers are not killing people with drunk driving. They just want to relax in the privacy of there home smoke a little weed.
There are other states in addition to these that are looking at medical marijuana for the next year, one of them being my home state of Ohio. 2012 should be a big year for marijuana reform. Even though many of these initiatives won’t pass, they will build awareness and lead to future change.
Louisiana needs weed too man imma depressed ass nigga and them anti depressants make me feel like doin myself in some times and i have trouble sleeping and eating when i dont use but it seems like everytime i leave the house johnny law wants to pull me over and give me the step out of the vehicle lemme search it bullsht and when they dnt find weed on me the write me a bogus ass ticket for watever he can think of
There is tremendous opportunity here, but like many others I have a strong attitude of “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Even if a single one of these initiatives pass, we will still have to see if they manage to be implemented. Worse yet, how will the federal government react?
You can bet your ass that I’m gonna vote yes! I live in Michigan!!