MICHigan joins list of states that are cool

Source: University of Michigan-Flint

The frosty Great Mitt of the North, with its Upper Peninsula looking affably toward its Southern end, has joined the most wonderful of states that have legalized recreational marijuana. Three cheers to thee! Hail Michigan! Hail Michigan! Hail Michigan!

The referendum passed easily (56% for, 44% against) as citizens have realized the folly of arrogant prohibitionist policy. It is a shame that all these changes tend to happen via popular vote rather than elected official vote. There must be a massive discrepancy in voting for a representative and voting in one’s own self-interest, a clear disadvantage of the “representative” part of democracy.

Here is a list of United States, Territories, and Native Tribes that are cool:

1. Alaska
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Maine
5. Massachusetts
6. Michigan
7. Nevada
8. Oregon
9. Washington
10. District of Columbia
11. Northern Mariana Islands
12. Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
13. Suquamish Tribe
14. Squaxin Island Tribe

                              For more info, check out this Wikipedia article. 
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A few other states were almost cool. Missouri and Utah voted to allow medical cannabis in certain situations but stopped short of full legalization. Also, a measure in North Dakota that would have legalized recreational used failed, meaning the state will have to do more work to make sure their regulatory and enforcement measures satisfy their constituents.

The coolness is spreading! The trend lines are obvious (unless your job depends on maintaining prohibition) and hopefully the New Congress will take steps to give the rights of cannabis regulation to the states where it belongs. Using alcohol legalization as a model, we can go state by state and experiment with different regulations, giving the districts the right to decide for themselves. 

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