Marijuana Legalization May Win the West (and D.C.) in 2014

[Jesus Malverde]

One week after the nation's first recreational marijuana stores opened in Colorado, Alaska activists submitted what appear to be enough signatures to put marijuana legalization before voters. The measure – which would go up for a vote Aug. 19 – is one of several 2014 efforts that could yield a good year for pot supporters, particularly in the West.

So far, voters have been at the vanguard of legalization, blowing past state legislatures. In November 2012, more than 55 percent of Colorado and Washington voters approved initiatives to legalize the drug and open state-licensed stores – and polls suggest those successes may be replicated elsewhere.

A CNN/Opinion Research poll released Monday found 55 percent of Americans believe marijuana should be legal, compared to 44 percent who do not. Support was highest in the West – where voter-driven initiatives often become law – and in the Northeast. An October poll released by Gallup put nationwide support for legalization at 58 percent.

Here's a rundown of the states where smoking weed may become legal in 2014:



http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/01/10/marijuana-legalization-may-win-the-west-and-dc-in-2014

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. Alaska and Oregon should go this year, via the initiative process.

Alaska has just handed in signatures. They need 30,000; they handed in 46,0000.

Oregon is in the signature gathering phase. There is money to pay for that, so I'm assuming Oregon will vote on it this year, too.

California ain't gonna happen this year. You need a million or two bucks just to get signatures gathered. None of the independent initiatives have the money and will not make the ballot. Drug Policy Alliance has filed its own initiative, and it could get the money, but I think they really want to wait for 2016, presidential election year and all that.

DC was set to file an initiative this week, but I hear they are revising it right now. DC is definitely doable this year.

Rhode Island ain't gonna happen this year. The governor is opposed.

Arizona ain't gonna happen this year. Activists there have already admitted it.