Marijuana is now legal in Colorado and Washington. The two states are the first to legalize recreational use of marijuana, yet the battle may go on as the federal government prohibits recreational use of the drug.
There was a lot of protest against the measure, but 53 percent of people voted to pass an amendment that would legalize marijuana in Colorado. In Washington, early returns showed that 55 percent of people voted to legalize it.
"Colorado will no longer have laws that steer people toward using alcohol, and adults will be free to use marijuana instead if that is what they prefer. And we will be better off as a society because of it," Mason Tvert, co-director of the Colorado pro-legalization campaign told Reuters.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper was against the measure. He agrees to follow through with it but warns that supporters shouldn't celebrate just yet, as marijuana is still illegal under federal law.
"The voters have spoken and we have to respect their will," Gov. Hickenlooper said, according to FOX. "This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through. That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don't break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly."
This battle of the states versus the federal government could be taken to Supreme Court.
"[The feds] will do whatever they can to interfere with marijuana legalization in any state," Jeffrey Miron, senior lecturer of economics at Harvard University and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, told FOX.
Under the measure in Colorado and Washington's Initiative 502, adults 21 and older may possess up to one ounce of the drug. Cannabis can also be legally sold and taxed in state-licensed stores. Those in Colorado may grow up to six marijuana plants for personal use.
Opponents of the measures are concerned because they believe the states will draw in drug tourists. Supporters believe that the taxes on the drug will support the states.
Other states voted for medical use of the drug. Massachusetts approved the measure to legalize medical marijuana. Seventeen states and the nation's capital already permit the drug to be used for medical reasons.
Not every state was for the legal marijuana measure. There was a ballot to remove criminal charges for possession and production of the drug in Oregon, however it did not pass. Another measure to legalize medical marijuana in Arkansas was defeated.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
