Marijuana was on the ballot in nine states on Tuesday: Voters in four states—Florida, Montana, North Dakota and Arkansas—were asked to cast their votes on medical marijuana initiatives, while voters in five others—California, Nevada, Arizona, Massachusetts and Maine—were asked whether adults 21 and older should be allowed to consume cannabis recreationally.
The results are in, and it was a watershed year for weed. California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Maine have approved recreational marijuana, while Florida, North Dakota, Arkansas and Montana have passed medical marijuana measures. Arizona voters rejected an adult use measure.
Going into election night, 25 states had comprehensive medical marijuana laws. That total is now 28. (Several other states allow for limited medicinal uses and Montana had a program in place before the vote.) Four states and D.C. had legalized adult use of pot. Colorado and Washington started the trend in 2012 and were followed by Oregon and Alaska two years later. After the election, nearly a quarter of the U.S. population lives in places where adult use is legal.
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