Marijuana legalization has started to spread throughout the United States. Over 50 percent of the states now allow marijuana usage in medicinal form. Before Election Day just two states, Colorado and Washington, allowed residents to buy and use the plant for recreational usage without fear of breaking the law. Now, three more states have legalized the plant for recreational usage.
Colorado and Washington have seen a dramatic increase in financial resources thanks to the taxation of the plant, which most users would end up purchasing illegally on the street. Additionally, it allowed for the release of non-violent criminals, which freed up jail space and cut inmate costs as well. Due to these surging numbers, three additional states joined the fray of legally allowed marijuana.
What states passed the legalization of marijuana for recreational use on Election Day?
Massachusetts became the first east coast state to legalize recreational usage of marijuana. The other two states continue the west coast trend of legalized marijuana. Nevada and, most importantly, the state of California have joined Colorado and Washington in the pot business. Arizona had it on the ballot but it did not pass.
Now, if marijuana usage is as highly regulated as Colorado and Washington, it will only be allowed in certain areas and carry with it many of the same legal requirements as alcohol. However, monitoring how much additional revenue the state develops from making pot legal should help other states follow suit. For more information, make sure to check out the video below.
