Portland Oregon to Vote to Legalize Marijuana

Signatures are now being collected to get "Measure 8" on the ballot in Portland, Oregon. Measure 8 would make it legal for adults over the age of 21 to possess less than one ounce of marijuana, in other words an amount for personal use. In Portland possession of up to an ounce is a misdemeanor. Only 27, 255 signatures are needed by July 7th of 2008. The measure would then go up for a vote and in a town like Portland it is bound to pass.

It is unclear how the state will handle the situation. Possession will still be a crime in Oregon State and therefore residents of Portland could still be arrested under state laws, not to mention federal laws.

This marks another step along the slow path towards legalization of marijuana nationwide. It will take a while, at least another generation. As cities and eventually states adopt these decriminalization efforts, the resources saved (decreased law enforcement, judicial proceedings, and corrections) by allowing the personal and responsible use of marijuana, will generate a domino effect that could take hold and the silly public perception of Reefer Madness should fall by the way-side.

Thanks to Jay who once again shows that if this blog was producing any cash he would be entitled to about 10%.