Marijuana vote in Oregon - The State of Oregon has voted to approve the possession and cultivation of marijuana for recreational use on Tuesday.
The marijuana vote in Oregon - Measure 91 - was passed after 54% of the state's residents voted in support of the bill. Under the new Oregon bill, adults 21 years and older to are allowed to possess and cultivate about four marijuana plants at any given time.
Authorities in Oregon have delegated the state's liquor control commission to regulate the sale and production of Marijuana.
The marijuana vote in Oregon is not likely to have any drastic effects as far as law enforcement goes in the state.
"Marijuana was very low on the priority list in Oregon and now it will essentially be totally crossed off," said Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis, who was part of the people against Measure 91.
Under Measure 91, the tax revenue garnered from marijuana will be used for the development of public schools and law enforcement, as well as mental health and addiction services. Oregon Health Authority is set to also receive a cut of the tax revenue generated from the sale of marijuana.
Officials estimate that "in fiscal year 2017, the revenue from legal marijuana is expected to be $16.0 million with a lower range of $ 13.1 million and an upper range of $ 19.4 million".
Reports indicate that voters in Washington, DC and Alaska have also said yes to the legalization of cannabis.
The resounding approvals to the marijuana vote in Oregon, Alaska and Washington effectively created the country's fourth legal recreational marijuana market. These three states join Colorado, who led the initiative in 2012.
The outcome of the marijuana vote in Oregon was welcomed by many supporters and groups who have rallied behind the move to reform national laws. Many see the victory and a sudden change of heart by electorates, given the fact that this is not the first marijuana vote in Oregon.
Voters in the state however have still rejected the legalization of medicinal marijuana. Under the new law, residents are prohibited from using the substance while driving and in public places.
The marijuana vote in Oregon was primarily financed by donors and lobby groups who are not in the state. Many opponents of the measure to legalize marijuana admit that they have lost and have strengthened their resolve.
"We are watching the marijuana industry and make sure they don't get everything they want. This conversation about marijuana is just beginning. It's certainly not ending," Kevin Sabet, a hardline opponent of the imitative to decriminalize marijuana said, in reference to the marijuana vote in Oregon.
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