“Marijuana is such a big thing. I think medical should happen — right? Don't we agree? I think so. And then I really believe we should leave it up to the states."
One of the few statements from the campaign trail on marijuana legalization from now-President-Elect Donald Trump, from an interview last year. Trump softened his stance on marijuana over time, but generally opposes adult-use legalization.
Source: The Washington Times
"Failure is progress. As more states legalize, more will take risks with ballot measures that might not make it."
Amanda Reiman, of the Drug Policy Alliance, on voters' rejection of Arizona's Proposition 205 by a vote of 52-48. Of the five states with adult-use measures on the ballot, Arizona was the only loss this year.
Source: Civilized
"I think it's the beginning of the end of the war on marijuana [in the] United States."
California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom on election night, after California passed Proposition 64, legalizing recreational marijuana in what will be the largest cannabis market in North America. The proposition passed with a 12-point spread of 56-44.
Source: Los Angeles Times
“Getting over 60 percent at this point means so much both symbolically and legally because we’re able to relinquish the name of criminals that has been forced on us."
Moriah Barnhart of Florida, in relief after the state's Amendment 2 passed easily at 71-29 in favor. Barnhart's daughter uses cannabis as treatment for brain cancer, which is included as a protected condition along with epilepsy, HIV, AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder and others. Florida suffered a defeat of a similar bill two years ago.
Source: Miami Herald
"I believe that the North Dakota population voted for caring. They have friends, neighbors with medical issues, and they really think this would at least get them the opportunity to explore medical cannabis and see if it's right for them."
Riley Ray Morgan, committee chairman for North Dakota's Measure 5, one of the four medical marijuana ballot issues that passed on election night. The issue passed with 64-36 in favor, one year after a similar bill failed in the state legislature. The state's program will be run through "compassion centers" operated by the North Dakota Department of Health on a non-profit basis.
Source: Bismarck Tribune
