This Tuesday, November 2nd, marijuana is on the ballot in four states, with voter initiatives in Arizona, South Dakota and Oregon seeking to create or expand safe access to medical marijuana, while citizens in California decided the fate of Prop 19, designed to legalize possession and use of cannabis for all adults over 21. With California’s historic campaign driving the discussion, and the state’s battered economy necessitating a search for new tax revenue and green jobs, marijuana – medical or otherwise – has suddenly become a hot topic in the media, including extensive coverage on television news and in print media.
           
For the first time, and despite some obvious exceptions, we had the beginning of a rational and reality-based discussion about the wisdom (or complete lack thereof) of our nation’s approach to cannabis, along with record high polling of support nationwide for both medicinal cannabis and recreational adult use. Of course, the only poll that really matters is the one held on Election Day. You can help keep the marijuana momentum rolling towards reform by voting for cannabis freedom if it’s on your ballot and, better yet, getting involved directly with the campaign. See below for more info:
 
CALIFORNIA
Proposition 19 ([link|http://yeson19.com/|Yeson19.com])
California already has the nation’s most progressive medical marijuana law. Prop 19 would legalize possession of one ounce of marijuana for all adults over 21 and limited self-cultivation, while allowing cities and counties to approve sales and distribution through local control ordinances.
 
OREGON
Measure 74 ([link|http://measure74.com/|Measure74.com])
Oregon already approved medical marijuana for patients with a doctor’s recommendation. Measure 74 would create a system where the state would license cultivators to grow and distribute cannabis to medical marijuana dispensaries in the state. Specifically the initiative would allow the establishment of privately owned, non-profit dispensaries subject to state regulations.
 
SOUTH DAKOTA
Measure 13 ([link|http://sdcompassion.org/|Sdcompassion.org])
Measure 13 calls for the legalization of medical marijuana for those with a doctor’s recommendation. Patients and/or their caregivers would be allowed to possess up to six plants and one ounce of marijuana at a time.
 
ARIZONA
Proposition 203 ([link|http://stoparrestingpatients.org/home/|Stoparrestingpatients.org])
Arizona voters have already passed medical marijuana initiatives twice, in 1996 and 1998. Unfortunately, due to a technical error in the wording of these laws, they have failed to effectively protect medical marijuana patients from arrest. Proposition 203 would close this loophole and protect patients.