Voters ready to legalize pot for tens of millions across U.S.

[workinclasszero]

Voters ready to legalize pot for tens of millions across U.S.
Supporters believe a California victory, let alone a sweep in all five states, could be what they need to change the federal discussion about the drug.
By BERNIE BECKER 11/05/16 07:33 AM EDT

Voters are poised to give a sweeping endorsement of legalizing marijuana, with ballot measures in five states on the verge of passing on Election Day, potentially setting the stage for loosening federal controls on the drug.

California -- home to 40 million people and the world’s sixth-largest economy -- is likely to relax its restrictions on pot for recreational use, according to the latest polls. And similar measures in Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada also have slight leads. Supporters believe a California victory, let alone a sweep in all five states, could be what they need to change the federal discussion about the drug, which is currently on par with heroin under U.S. law.

"I've been calling 2016 the game-over year,” said Bill Piper of the Drug Policy Alliance, a pro-legalization group. “Because if California wins, that's going to put enormous pressure on Congress to end marijuana prohibition. If all five win, that's even better. If California legalizes, it's going to become much harder for Congress not to do anything."

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/marijuana-ballot-measures-activists-watershed-230760

[Lucinda]

1. KNR

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. One huge mistake in logic.

Enormous pressure on congress has no impact. It is controlled by lobbyists, it is owned by a sick minority of Teabaggers, and of late, has been completely non-responsive to public opinion or public interest.

[asiliveandbreathe]

3. After this election we are all going to need some anti-anxiety help -

This is just some of what AZ is putting up with - from 11/3/2016

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/here-are-the-prohibitionists-whove-donated-10-000-or-more-to-keep-marijuana-a-felony-in-arizona-8794628

Everybody likes lists - let's start with Discount Tire -

Here's the list (as of today) from the Arizona Secretary of State's Office of prohibitionists, politically minded business owners, and others who gave $10,000 or more to encourage the defeat of Prop 205. Companies and donors are from Arizona except where noted.

Some analysis to go with the list....snip...

This week, three Democratic Colorado lawmakers slammed the opposition group for stating that money from marijuana taxes hasn't helped Colorado schools, noting that the $138 million in pot taxes have gone to the state's department of education in the past two years. The Arizona Legislature's own budget-analysis division calculated last year that Prop 205 would bring in $124 million a year in fees and taxes by 2020.

Be well all..

[greymattermom]

4. Legalize in blue states decriminalize in red states

And folks will just drive like folks in dry counties have always done.