59% of Arizonians Want Marijuana Regulated Like Alcohol

Via: NORML

I am hoping for a wave of marijuana legalization initiatives proposals in the upcoming years. If it's happening in Arizona it's happening then there is hope for everywhere.

A poll released today, commissioned by the National Cannabis Industry Association and conducted by Public Policy Polling, found that a majority of Arizona residents would vote “yes” on an initiative to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol.

When asked, “If an initiative appeared on a future ballot in Arizona, proposing that marijuana be regulated in a manner similar to alcohol and sold to adults 21 years of age or older in statelicensed stores, would you vote ‘yes’ in favor of this initiative or ‘no’ against this initiative?” – 59% stated they would vote “yes” (40% felt strongly, 19% not strongly) and only 36% stated they would oppose the measure (33% strongly feeling so, 3% not so strongly).

The survey also questioned Arizona voters on their current medical marijuana law and found 59% of respondents support the law and only 37% are opposed.

The poll was conducted on January 9th and 10th and surveyed 600 Arizona voters. You can view the full poll here and read the official release from The National Cannabis Industry Association here.

Marijuana Legalization Plans for 7 States

The Daily Chronic

The Daily Chronic has an informative article on states with upcoming strides toward legalization.

WASHINGTON, DC — Following landmark victories in Colorado and Washington on November 6, many people are asking, “What states will be next to enact measures to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol?”

The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), one of the nation’s largest marijuana reform organizations which has been instrumental in passing medical marijuana, decriminalization, and marijuana legalization bills in several states nationwide, has announced the next seven states that they plan perusing marijuana legalization.

List of states and dates proposed:

• Alaska with a tax and regulate ballot initiative in 2014
• Nevada with a tax and regulate campaign slated for 2016.
• California with a planned legalization initiative for the 2016.
• Maine with a tax and regulate marijuana legalization bill in 2013.
• Rhode Island with a a tax and regulate bill in 2013.
• Oregon with a tax and regulate campaign slated for 2013.
• Massachusetts with a 2016 tax and regulate for adult use campaign.

If you reside in any states don't let the opportunity pass you by to make a difference. Two down 48 to go.

Fun fact

Croatia Will Decriminalize Marijuana In 2013

Via: Croatian Times.

From the start of 2013, those caught with small amounts of narcotic drugs for personal use in Croatia will no longer face criminal conviction. The criminal offence will be degraded to a minor offence. The new law is aimed at decriminalising possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use, but not its production, writes daily newspaper Jutarnji list.

In other words, growing just a few plants of Indian hemp for personal health needs remains a criminal offence, and those growing it still will risk facing a fine and up to three years in prison. A working group from the Ministry of Justice who suggested the law change about decriminalisation of possession of a small amount of drugs, has not proposed a precise regulation regarding the production of narcotic drugs for personal use for chronic health problems.

"We can not regulate criminal law, because it is not up to the Ministry of Justice to decide which substances, when it comes to medical purposes, should be prohibited, and which should not. The decision on whether a drug is a medicine or not is up to the Ministry of Health. Everything that is on the list of banned substances shall be punished in some way, "said Justice Minister Orsat Miljenic. reports the

Consider drugs decriminalisation system, MPs say

BBC

The government is being urged by MPs to closely consider a system of drugs de-criminalisation pioneered in Portugal.

The Home Affairs Committee said it was impressed with the approach to cutting drug use where people found with small amounts are not always prosecuted.

It also asks ministers to monitor the effects of cannabis legalisation in other parts of the world.

The Home Office rejected its call for a Royal Commission on UK drugs policy, saying that was "not necessary".

Official figures show that drug use in England and Wales is at its lowest rate under current measurements since 1996.

However, there is concern over the growth and prevalence of "legal highs", some of which are banned, amid a recorded rise in deaths linked to their use.

The committee stops short of supporting a relaxation of legal sanctions for drug use, as suggested by experts at the UK Drug Policy Commission in October, but it does call on ministers to look in detail at the idea.

In its wide-ranging report, the cross-party Home Affairs Committee said MPs had visited Portugal as part of attempts to understand different systems of decriminalisation which were being used around the world to manage the harm of drugs, rather than just hand out penalties for their use.

At Least 5 More State Expected To Vote On Marijuana Legalization Soon

Incoming Dutch government ditches 'weed pass' plan

USAToday

The incoming Dutch government has ditched plans for a national "weed pass" that would have been available only to residents and that would have effectively banned tourists from Amsterdam's marijuana cafes.

However, under a provisional governing pact unveiled this week, cities can bar foreigners from weed shops if they choose.

The pact says that it wants only Dutch residents to have access to marijuana cafes, but leaves enforcement up to cities. Amsterdam opposes a ban, which would hurt tourism.

Some cafe owners said Tuesday that they are satisfied Dutch weed policy will remain unchanged, while others criticized the lack of clarity.

Marijuana trafficking is technically illegal in the Netherlands, but people can't be prosecuted for possession of small amounts and the drug is sold openly in designated "coffee shops."