In 2016 a Major Multi-State Push for Marijuana Legalization

[eridani]

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/31876-in-2016-a-major-multi-state-push-for-marijuana-legalization

One of the most powerful and influential groups – Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project – was behind successful recreational measures in Alaska and Colorado, two of four states that now allow recreational use. MPP organizers hope to replicate those efforts in five other states during the 2016 elections, an undertaking they say will – if successful – prove significant for the effort to end marijuana prohibition.

One of them, Arizona, is a state that conservative icon Barry Goldwater called home. It frequently makes national headlines for controversial measures on immigration and gay rights. Voters passed the state’s medical marijuana program by the barest of margins in 2010.

“Out of the five campaigns that we’re running nationwide, Arizona’s definitely going to be the most heated, the most active,” said Carlos Alfaro, the Arizona political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. He plans to win voters by inundating the airwaves, unveiling billboards, organizing rallies and hosting debates.

It’s all part of the well-funded, well-organized machine that’s driving the effort toward ending prohibition nationwide. Proponents have found so much success because they have learned how to secure financial backing, take advantage of changing attitudes and address fears about legalization. The Marijuana Policy Project aims to add California, Nevada, Massachusetts and Maine to its portfolio of ballot initiative successes in 2016, along with Arizona.

Legalization efforts – many backed by other groups – could appear on the ballot in about a dozen states next year. Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C., already allow for medical marijuana use. Four states – Washington and Oregon, in addition to Colorado and Alaska – and the District of Columbia allow adults to smoke pot recreationally.

[liberal N proud]

1. Ohio will be on the November 2015 ballot

[B Calm]

6. Ohio is just the width of Indiana from here, damn I hope they pass it!

[ladjf]

2. The legalization of Cannabis will solve an array of problems for Americans

and create non.

[Mnemosyne]

3. K&R! nt

[RKP5637]

4. K&R! n/t

[catman47]

5. cannabis

I am 67, been smoking weed since 65' minus a hiatus in several prisons 4 yrs. total but that was decades
ago. My buddy and I are elated that not just medical marijuana in many states and legal recreational pot in 4 states but all this and much more to come,"in my lifetime" that's what makes it sweet. There were several times in my life I was jailed. Pathetic..
So, I applaud all the smoking heads and the non-smoking heads who see the benefits of legal marijuana..

Catman47

[eShirl]

7. we have 2 ballot initiatives in Maine: MPP's, and Legalize Maine's

http://legalizemaine.net/get-involved/

Legalize Maine is a grassroots organization that is fighting for the creation of a new economic sector in our state, in which small farmers and small businesses can participate, as retailers and producers. We are also seeking to address criminal justice reform. Maine is incarcerating large numbers of non-violent offenders due to the presumption that possession of a certain amount of marijuana constitutes a presumption of intent to distribute, and the resultant criminal charge.

Many people have told us we cannot win a fight against the powerful interests that want to control and profit from this new industry. But we believe that if more folks understand the issues they would vote for more economic growth for the small business, and small farmer sector, as well as fairness in the criminal justice system.