California update.
Live updates: Calif. voters approve measure to legalize recreational marijuana
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Last Updated Nov 8, 2016 11:20 PM EST
Legalization of recreational marijuana was on the ballot in five states this Election Day: California, Massachusetts, Maine, Arizona and Nevada.
So far, California voters have approved the ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana.
In general, the proposals for recreational pot would treat cannabis similar to alcohol. Consumption would be limited to people 21 or older and forbidden in most public spaces. Pot would be highly regulated and heavily taxed, and some states would let people grow their own.
Big Pot: The commercial takeover
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Big Pot: The commercial takeover
Three more states -- Florida, Arkansas and North Dakota -- were deciding whether to permit marijuana for medical purposes. Montana voted on whether to ease restrictions on an existing medical marijuana law.
Florida voters approved a state constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana, which will broaden access to pot beyond the limited therapeutic uses approved by the legislature two years ago. North Dakota voters also approved legalizing medical marijuana.
State-by-state polls showed most of the measures with a good chance of prevailing. But staunch opponents that included law enforcement groups and anti-drug crusaders urged the public to reject any changes. They complained that legalization would endanger children and open the door to creation of another huge industry that, like big tobacco, would be devoted to selling Americans an unhealthy drug.
