Historic night for marijuana lovers and those who love them: Colorado just became the first state to legalize recreational weed for adult users.
Colorado’s Measure 64 makes it legal for individuals to possess and for businesses to sell marijuana for recreational use. In calling the race, the Denver Post reported that with more than half the vote counted, the “yes” side totaled 52.7 percent.
Washington was lining up to be the second state to legalize pot, as voters there were overwhelmingly passing Measure I-502, which we reported on last week from the Northwest.
A similar legalization effort in California failed in 2010. But unlike in that campaign, there was little opposition to the idea from law enforcement in Washington. Or little opposition from anyone, really.
Plus, the Washington pot advocates made a concerted effort to reach out to mainstream, non-pot lovers. They used advocates like public TV travel guide Rick Steves at the front of their campaign.
What’s more, the Colorado and Washington initiatives were put on the ballot during a presidential election year, which tends to bring out more young voters who in turn are more pro-dope.
Could victories in these two Western states mean pot forces might go back to the ballot in California?