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After the 2010 elections, where in the US is medical marijuana legal?

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Abby Baird/OaklandNorth.net

Marijuana legislation varies from state to state. Before the November 2010 election, medical marijuana was legal in 14 states and Washington, DC. But with the passing of Proposition 203 -- the legalization of medical marijuana in Arizona -- this November, there are now 15 states that allow the drug. Medical marijuana is not technically legal in Maryland, but because of the state's Medical Marijuana Affirmative Defense Law -- allowing those arrested for marijuana possession to be released if they can prove their pot was for medical use -- most consider the state to be among those with legalized medical marijuana. This would bring the number of states allowing medical marijuana to 16.

In November, 2010, residents in seven US states voted on contests -- ranging from the Connecticut governor's race to the legalization of marijuana in South Dakota -- with outcomes that would affect the future of marijuana, medical or otherwise. Overall, nine electoral battles had the potential to affect the fate of marijuana: in five cases voters chose to expand the legalization of marijuana, and in four they did not.

Click through to Oakland North to learn more about the state ballot results, and to view the interactive version of the map.

You can get Oakland North's complete coverage of Proposition 19 and other marijuana-related issues on our marijuana page.

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Posted By: Oakland North (Email, Facebook) | December 30 2010 at 02:53 PM

Listed Under: News