Portland voters legalize marijuana

Source: Press Herald

The ‘Yes’ vote wins in a landslide, claiming 67 percent of the tally with many of the precincts reporting.

Portland became the first city on the East Coast to legalize marijuana as voters overwhelmingly passed an ordinance Tuesday allowing adults to possess small amounts of the drug.

With all 12 of the city’s precincts reporting, unofficial totals showed the proposal passing with 67 percent of the vote – 9,921 to 4,823.

The ordinance allows people 21 and older to possess as much as 2.5 ounces of marijuana. It is seen by some as another step toward legalization across the country. Supporters say they will build on Portland’s vote with a statewide legalization effort in the next two years.

But the immediate and practical effects of Tuesday’s vote are hazy.

Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, and is legal only for medical use under state law. Portland’s ordinance does not set up any legal way to obtain marijuana.


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