reuters | Colorado became the first state to legalize the possession and sale of marijuana for recreational use on Tuesday, setting up a possible showdown with the
federal government as backers of a similar measure in Washington state
declared victory.
A third measure to remove criminal penalties for personal possession and cultivation of recreational cannabis was defeated in Oregon, where significantly less
money and campaign organization was devoted to the cause.
Supporters of a Colorado constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana declared
victory and opponents conceded defeat after returns showed the measure
garnering nearly 53 percent of the vote versus 47 percent against.
"Colorado will no longer have laws that steer people toward using alcohol, and
adults will be free to use marijuana instead if that is what they
prefer. And we will be better of as a society because of it," said Mason
Tvert, co-director of the Colorado pro-legalization campaign.
The legalization puts the state in direct conflict with the federal
government, which classifies cannabis as an illegal narcotic.
