More States Legalize Marijuana, But Will President Trump Allow It?

By Debra Borchardt, Forbes

Ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana succeeded Tuesday in California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Maine. Medical marijuana has been legalized in North Dakota, Arkansas, Florida and Montana (again). Only Arizona voters said no to their marijuana legislation. Now, the question is, will President Trump allow it?

It was generally expected that California would vote to legalize recreational marijuana. “Approving recreational marijuana in California, the sixth-largest economy in the world, and a state that often sets the trend nationwide, is the death knell of a failed policy of prohibition,” said Aaron Herzberg, partner and general counsel of CalCann Holdings. “California is now poised to … take back its place from Colorado to become the rightful Silicon Valley of marijuana.”

Cannabis software company Flowhub CEO Kyle Sherman said, “It’s fantastic news for the health of this country that California has legalized cannabis for adult use. Tax dollars are going to flow into the state instead of the black market.”Nevada also voted in favor of recreational marijuana despite efforts to fight it. This means that a large portion of the West has now become legal marijuana territory.  The East Coast has been hesitant until now, with the majority Massachusetts and Maine voters opting for legalization.

Source: Forbes