The Green Vote

During yesterday's historic election of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America a couple of states passed laws pertaining to medical marijuana and marijuana decriminalization.

In Mass. voters passed a a decrim bill.

Voters yesterday overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, making getting caught with less than an ounce of pot punishable by a civil fine of $100. The change in the law means someone found carrying dozens of joints will no longer be reported to the state's criminal history board.

With about 90 percent of the state's precincts reporting last night, voters favored the Question 2 proposition 65 percent to 35 percent.

In Michigan voters approved a medical marijuana bill that will allow patients to grow their own medical marijuana for certain medical conditions.

Michigan voters favored sanctioning the use of medical marijuana to treat debilitating illness Tuesday, apparently rejecting arguments that doing so would increase crime and juvenile drug use.
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The marijuana measure, Proposal 1, led 63% to 37%, with 87% precincts tallied early this morning. The vote was 2,566,783 in favor to 1,526,477 against.

When it goes into effect -- 10 days after the vote is certified later this month -- patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS and other conditions can be authorized to cultivate, possess and use marijuana without fear of prosecution under state law.

Michigan becomes the 13th state to approve medical marijuana, meaning that one in four Americans will live in a place where the use of the herb for medical purposes will be legal, according to advocates for legalization.

I also want to mention that Rep. Barney Frank introduced Federal decrim legislation earlier this year and I expect it to come up again after the newly elected Congress and Senate take office in January.

And on another really bright note Shanta Owens DEFEATS Davis Lawley for Jefferson County drug court judge. I've been working my folks behind the scenes for weeks to get out the vote for Mrs. Owens and she and I have been communicating directly. She has great potential to do this thing right. I am THRILLED that she kicked the shit out of Davis Lawley.