The California bill to label genetically modified foods was rebuffed by voters. After a $46 million campaign by agribusiness and chemical conglomerates saturated the media with negative advertising. Proposition 37 failed 54 percent to 46 percent to pass.
Washington state and Colorado approved marijuana use for recreational use. This will force a showdown with the federal government which still opposes the use of the drug.
In Colorado, Amendment 64 states that adults over the age of 21 are permitted to carry 1 ounce of marijuana, but are not permitted to use the drug in public. Residents will also be permitted to grow up to six marijuana plants in a secure area.
In Washington, adults over 21 can also be in possession of up to 1 ounce which will be sold by registered retailers. There will be a blood test to prevent driving under the influence. The Washington Amendment received widespread support from prominent figures ranging from public health expert to top-ranking Justice Department officials. “Marijuana policy reform remains an issue where the people lead and the politicians follow,” said Ethan Nadelmann of the Drug Policy Alliance, “But Washington State shows that many politicians are beginning to catch up.”
One of the major selling points for the amendment was the millions of potential tax dollars legalized marijuana would bring
Massachusetts and Arkansas voters approved amendments for legalizing marijuana for medical reasons which brings the total number of medical marijuana states to 17.
Read a compelling commentary on the decision by Rodger A Roffman, a professor at Washington University here.