TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Marijuana Movement Claims 2 Victories

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: November 5, 2008

The marijuana reform movement won two prized victories Tuesday, with Massachusetts voters decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the drug and Michigan joining 12 other states in allowing use of pot for medical purposes. Key ballot measures elsewhere addressed same-sex marriage and abortion.

Henceforth, people caught in Massachusetts with an ounce or less of pot will no longer face criminal penalties. Instead, they will forfeit the marijuana and pay a $100 civil fine. Barnstable District Attorney Michael O'Keefe, who led opposition to the measure, called it "bad public policy."

The Michigan measure will allow severely ill patients to register with the state and legally buy, grow and use small amounts of marijuana to relieve pain, nausea, appetite loss and other symptoms.

Of the 153 measures at stake nationwide, the most momentous was a proposed constitutional amendment in California that would limit marriage to heterosexual couples.

Similar measures have prevailed previously in 27 states, but none were in California's situation - with thousands of gay couples already married following a state Supreme Court ruling in May.

The opposing sides together raised about $70 million to wage their campaigns. The outcome, either way, will have a huge impact on prospects for spreading same-sex marriage to the 47 states that do not allow it.

Though Democrat Barack Obama won the presidential race in California on his way to wrapping up his White House bid, the vote on the same-sex marriage amendment was expected to be close. A crucial question was how churchgoing black and Hispanic voters - presumably a pro-Obama constituency - would vote on the ballot measure.

According to exit polls, blacks were far more likely than whites or Hispanics to support the ban. Age also was a key factor - the exit polls showed voters under 30 opposing the ban by a 2-to-1 ratio, while most voters 60 and older supported the ban.

Both Obama and his Republican rival, John McCain, say they oppose same-sex marriage. But Obama, unlike McCain, also opposes the California amendment and endorses the concept of broader rights for same-sex couples.

Ban-gay-marriage amendments also were on the ballot in Florida and Arizona.

ON THE BALLOT

ARKANSAS: Create state lottery. Approved

MAINE: Repeal new taxes on beer, wine and soda. Approved

MASSACHUSETTS: Ban dog racing. Approved

Repeal state income tax. Defeated

OHIO: Allow the state's first casino. Defeated

SOUTH DAKOTA: Eliminate legislative term limits. Defeated

The Associated Press

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT