Oregon, Alaska, D.C. legalize pot as Florida voters reject medical marijuana

Oregon, Alaska, and Washington D.C. voters voted to legalize marijuana on Tuesday, in key victories that could fuel the legalization movement while voters in Florida rejected a medical marijuana bill.

The Oregon and Alaska measures would legalize recreational pot use and authorize retail pot shops similar to those operating in Washington state and Colorado, which in 2012 voted to become the first U.S. states to allow recreational marijuana.

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The less far-reaching proposal in the District of Columbia to allow marijuana possession but not retail sales won nearly 65 percent of the vote.

“In 2016 we’re going to push the ball forward in several states until we end prohibition,” Leland Berger, a Portland attorney who helped write the new Oregon law, told Reuters outside a packed Portland nightclub where advocates declared victory.

Advocates have portrayed the District of Columbia measure as a civil rights issue, saying studies have shown that African Americans are disproportionately more likely to be arrested on marijuana charges than are people of other races.

The issue is not fully resolved for the District of Columbia, however. Because of its unique status as a district, not a state, Congress has the authority to overrule D.C. laws and some lawmakers have signaled that they would likely work to overrule the popular vote.

“With marijuana legal in the federal government’s backyard,” said Tom Angell, chairman of Marijuana Majority, “it’s going to be increasingly difficult for national politicians to continue ignoring the growing majority of voters who want to end prohibition.”

In Florida; however, only 58% voted yes to amendment, shy of the necessary 60% for a victory.

“With marijuana legal in the federal government’s backyard,” said Tom Angell, chairman of Marijuana Majority, “it’s going to be increasingly difficult for national politicians to continue ignoring the growing majority of voters who want to end prohibition.”