Election outcomes in Nov 2013 keep up marijuana reform momentum

Though it would be unwise jump to too many conclusions based on off-year election results, these headlines reporting on results concerning various marijuana initiative in various jurisdictions suggest a continuing affinity for responsible reform and sensible regulation of maijuana laws, policies and practices:

• From Colorado here, “Colorado voters approve new taxes on recreational marijuana”

• From Maine here, “Portland voters legalize marijuana;The ‘Yes’ vote wins in a landslide, claiming 67 percent of the tally with many of the precincts reporting”

• From Michigan here, “Voters in three more Michigan cities pass marijuana decriminalization proposals”

Practically speaking, the Colorado vote is probably the most important and consequential, as it ensures a significant tax revenue stream now flowing from marijuana legalization in the Mile High state.  But politically speaking, the voting outcomes in Maine and Michigan, though most symbolic, could still prove important if (and when?) more politicians on both side of the aisle in the northeast and upper midwest see that there could be political upsides in 2014 and beyond from supporting responsible reform and sensible regulation of maijuana laws, policies and practices.