As the eyes of the world were squarely focused on Donald Trump’s unexpected election victory on Tuesday, a number of important ballot votes were held across the U.S. where at least three more states have legalized marijuana.
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Marijuana
California, Massachusetts and Nevada all approved the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults. The vote means that marijuana will now be regulated and taxed much like legal alcohol and tobacco in these states.
Arizona rejected legalizing the drug, while in Maine, results are tight with pro-legalisation supporters claiming a narrow victory.
In California, Proposition 64 was passed by at least 55 percent of voters with 44 percent of voters opposing the ballot, results from Wednesday morning indicated with more than 90 percent of areas reporting. A similar ballot was defeated by the state in 2010.
Washington State, Colorado, Oregon, Alaska and the District of Columbia have already legalized the substance.Today's changes are set to create a major commercial industry estimated to hit US$50 billion in the next decade with the drug across the western seaboard of the U.S.
Nearly half of the U.S. has now legalized marijuana in one form or another, be it recreationally or medically.
While opponents of legalization say it will make marijuana more accessible for young people and create health risks, supporters say people should have a right to choose what they consume and will help cut out the illegal trade of the substance and lower criminal involvement.
While opponents of legalization say it will make marijuana more accessible for young people and create health risks, supporters say people should have a right to choose what they consume and will help cut out the illegal trade of the substance and lower criminal involvement.
Medical Marijuana was also legalized following successful ballots in Florida, North Dakota and Arkansas.
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Changing the Political System
Maine is set to become the first state to adopt a new system or ranked-choice voting, otherwise known as instant-runoff voting. With close to 90 percent of areas reporting votes, 52 percent voted for the change.
The system would see voters rank candidates for the federal and state senate, congress and governorship in order of preference. After a series of rounds, the last-place candidates are defeated and the candidate with the most votes in the final round wins.
Advocates say that the new system will make elections fairer, giving voters the “freedom to vote for the candidate they like the best without fear that their vote will help the candidate they like the least,” said Fairvote, adding that campaigns are shown to be less negative with this system.
South Dakota approved measures to limit the amount of money that lobbyists can give politicians in a bid to make its political process more accountable.
Missouri also voted in favor of limiting campaign contributions for state and judicial positions and approved changes that require the presentation of voter I.D. requirements to prove citizenship.
Criminal Justice Reforms
California also rejected a ballot to repeal the state's death penalty and also voted in favor of shortening the time for legal challenges against death sentences, which can currently take up to five years.
Nebraska voted to reinstate the death penalty after it was banned in 2015. Colorado voted in favor of removing a part of its constitution that allows forced and unpaid labor by criminals.
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Wage Changes
Arizona, Colorado, Maine and Washington state all voted to increase the minimum wage. South Dakota voters rejected a ballot to lower its minimum wage for workers under the age of 18.
Gun Control
California overwhelmingly voted to approve further background checks on buying large-capacity ammunition. Nevada approved firearm transfers going through a licensed arms dealer and Maine looks set to approve a similar measure with almost 90 percent of the vote counted.
With around 60 percent of votes reported, Washington state looks likely to approve court protection orders that remove a dangerous person's access to guns.