Vote for Change!

Ensure your voice is heard and cast your vote!!!

Good Morning!!! Today is a momentous day in history.

I was caught off guard this morning when I walked into the polling center at 630am.  I like to beat the rush, get my vote in and continue my day.  I have never had to wait to cast my ballot, until this morning.  It wasn’t a long wait, probably 20 minutes, but it was still a first for me.  I’m happy to see so many people taking part in this election.  We will soon see who will lead the United States forward for the next four years and we get to witness cannabis legalization spread. Five States are voting for recreational legalization: California, Nevada, Maine, Arizona, and Massachusetts, while medical Cannabis is on the ballot for Florida, Arkansas, Montana, and North Dakota. I’m excited to see what the American people have to say about this amazing plant. Cannabis is medicine and much more!
Here is what each state is voting on:

Recreational legislation

California

Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), legalizes:
• The possession of 1 ounce of marijuana flower, or up to 8 grams of cannabis concentrates for those 21 years and older,
• The cultivation of up to 6 plants,
• The industrial cultivation of hemp,
• A taxed and regulated system for a recreational marijuana industry.

Nevada

For residents 21 years and older
• Possession of 1 ounce of marijuana,
• A taxed and regulated recreational cannabis industry with tax revenue supporting K-12 education,
• And includes a clause that allows anyone who does not live within 25 miles of a marijuana store to grow up to 6 marijuana plants.

Maine

For residents 21 years and older
• The possession of up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana,
• The possession, cultivation and transportation of up to 6 flowering marijuana plants, 12 immature marijuana plants and unlimited seedlings, and possession of all the marijuana produced by the marijuana plants at that person’s residence.

Arizona

The Legalization and Regulation of Marijuana Act, or Proposition 205, for residents 21 years and older, legalizes:
• The possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana,
• A taxed and regulated recreational cannabis industry,
• Adults to grow up to 6 marijuana plants in an enclosed, locked space within their residences and possess the marijuana produced by those plants in the location where it was grown. A limit of the total marijuana plants grown in a single residence is limited at 12.

Massachusetts

The Question 4 initiative to regulate and tax marijuana for recreational use for adults 21 years and up, like alcohol:
• Possession up to 1 ounce of marijuana outside of an individual’s residence,
• Possession of up to 10 ounces of marijuana in an enclosed, locked space within their residences,
• Growing up to 6 marijuana plants in an enclosed, locked space within their residences and possess the marijuana produced by those plants in the location where it was grown. No more than 12 total marijuana plants can be grown in a single residence.

Medical legislation

Florida

The medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician,
• Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana,
• And that the Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers.

Arkansas

There are two competing proposals: the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act (Issue 7) and the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment (Issue 6).

• Issue 6 would make a repeal of the law impossible as it is a state constitution amendment. It would legalize doctor-approved medical cannabis treatments for patients. Unfortunately this measure would place the program under the control of Arkansas’ Alcoholic Beverage Control, as well as, a new medical marijuana commission.

• Issue 7 also allows doctor-approved medical cannabis treatment through nonprofit compassion centers. It also allows patients to grow their own marijuana at home if they live too far away from a center.

Montana

Montana is voting to reinstate its medical marijuana laws through I-182. The initiative allows patients to access and use marijuana for several debilitating illnesses. Medical marijuana was originally made legal in 2004 in the state. However, legislative restrictions made the law nearly impossible to work.

North Dakota

The initiative would make it legal for North Dakota residents who suffer from one of several debilitating illnesses to use marijuana with a doctor’s permission. They could possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana for medical purposes from either a state-licensed dispensary or a personally grown supply.

I’m truly excited to see what happens here, I wait eagerly for the results. It’s quite possible that California passes, which will make the entire Pacific coast of the United States legal for cannabis consumption. It’s about time. I remember growing up and never thinking that this would ever happen, the times were obviously different. It has been a long time since California first legalized medical cannabis in 1996. Here we are 20 years later and we are talking full recreational legalization. It’s been a long road; hopefully we can see this through.

Let me be honest… I’m more focused on Massachusetts. I know there is a big push happening there. I can only hope it passes and Connecticut follows suit. Its 2016, we have confirmed the government falsely portrayed cannabis as an evil drug for years. It’s time we take back our rights!