Higher Powers: Legal Marijuana States Prepare for Showdown with Feds

November 09, 2012 from Democracy Now!

In a historic move, the US states of Colorado and Washington have become the first to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Fifty-two percent of voters in Colorado supported Amendment 64, which will amend the state constitution to allow those 21 and older to purchase up to one ounce of marijuana at specially regulated stores, and permit adults to grow up to six marijuana plants in their homes. Meanwhile in Washington, Initiative 502 passed by a 10-point margin. Now marijuana reform advocates are preparing for a showdown with the federal government, which still considers the plant a dangerous drug.

(more) (less)

In This Video

Washington Initiative 502

Washington Initiative 502 "on marijuana reform" was an initiative to the Washington State Legislature, which appeared on the November 2012 general ballot, passing by a margin of approximately 56 to 44. Originally submitted to the Washington Secretary of State during the summer... Explore this topic

Colorado Amendment 64

Colorado Amendment 64 is an amendment to the Article 18 of the Colorado state constitution to adopt a common-sense cannabis drug policy. Section 3 will allow the "personal use and regulation of marijuana" for adults 21 and over. Section 4 addresses legal commercial cultivation... Explore this topic

Cannabis (drug)

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, and by other names, is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug and as medicine. Pharmacologically, the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol; it is one of 483 known compound... Explore this topic

Drug liberalization

Drug liberalization is the process of eliminating or reducing drug prohibition laws. Variations of drug liberalization include drug relegalization, drug legalization, and drug decriminalization. The reasons given for this include the failure of current policies, the revenue to... Explore this topic

Colorado

The State of Colorado is a state in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. Colorado may also be considered to be a part of the Mountain, Southwestern, Midwestern, and Central regions of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the s... Explore this topic

Washington (U.S. state)

Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States located north of Oregon, west of Idaho, and south of the Canadian province of British Columbia on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Named after George Washington, the first President of the United States,... Explore this topic

Illegal drug trade

The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of drugs, which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws. A UN... Explore this topic

Prohibition of drugs

The prohibition of drugs through sumptuary legislation or religious law is a common means of attempting to prevent drug use. While most drugs are legal to possess, many governments regulate the manufacture, distribution, marketing, and sale of some drugs, for instance through ... Explore this topic

US Government

The government of the United States of America is the federal government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that constitute the United States, as well as one capitol district, and several other territories. The federal government is composed of three distinct branc... Explore this topic

Mexican Drug War

The Mexican Drug War is an ongoing armed conflict among rival drug cartels fighting each other for regional control and against the Mexican government forces. The government's principal goal has been to put down the drug-related violence that was raging among dueling drug cart... Explore this topic

Also See

Colorado Amendment 64

Washington Initiative 502

Cannabis (drug)

Watch Next

1:28

First Pot Club in US Opens in Mile High City

Newsy | Jan 1

Marijuana enthusiasts have found another reason to consider moving to Denver, Colorado. First recreational marijuana use was legalized in the 2012 ...