Two of New York’s Neighbors Will Be Voting for Marijuana Legalization in Nov

A couple of New York’s neighbors will be voting to legalize recreational marijuana this November.

Question 4 in Massachusetts would legalize marijuana use for adults ages 21 and older and possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to 12 plants, while Question 1 in Maine would also legalize marijuana use for adults ages 21 and older, , according to The Village Voice.

Most age groups, excluding those ages 60 and over, show support of recreational marijuana legalization in Massachusetts and Maine. Those ages 60 and older oppose recreational legalization by 56-percent. Prior marijuana initiatives to decriminalize in 2008 and for medical use in 2012 both passed despite lower polling numbers a couple months prior to the vote.

Northampton lawyer and marijuana activist of 40+ years, Richard Evans said, “It’s time to get real about prohibition. It’s time for the industry to start paying its fair share of taxes, and it’s time to be honest about the difference between use and abuse.”

In New England, Maine and Massachusetts are deemed the most 420-friendly states. Laws in the two states are enacted by popular vote. Since the early 1990s, a pro-marijuana rally has been held in Boston called the Boston Freedom Rally. So far, all marijuana initiatives put on Massachusetts ballots have passed.

Evans compares marijuana prohibition patterns to those that led to the end of alcohol prohibition. As more states repealed alcohol prohibition regulations, eventually, alcohol prohibition was ended altogether and supporters see the same pattern in regards to marijuana prohibition.

New York decriminalized marijuana in 1977 and repealed its own Little Volstead Act. Regardless of the decriminalization of marijuana in New York, they are considered to be “behind the recent national trend toward ending marijuana prohibition.” Mayors Giuliana and Bloomberg say that New York has never had strong legalization movements.

Senator Liz Krueger said, “Every time another states moves down this road, there is more pressure for New York to do the same” and that “public opinion and understanding of this issue has moved much more rapidly than that of elected officials. Legislators are behind the times and behind where our constituents want us to be.”

If legalization efforts in New York do not happen soon, residents may spill over into Massachusetts and Maine to obtain marijuana or partake across state lines, if the initiatives pass.

Yes on 4 Campaign spokesman Jim Borghesani said, “We’ll be taking commerce out of the hands of criminals and adding safety back to the market.”