The grass is greener

Marijuana 9, prohibition 1

The 2017 off-year elections advanced the legitimized status of marijuana.

In California, Palm Springs, Cotati and Pacifica voters approved taxes on legal marijuana.

In Colorado, Vail voters approved a marijuana tax.

In Detroit, voters relaxed regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries.

In Ohio, Athens voters repealed all municipal penalties for marijuana use. It is the fifth Ohio city to do so.

In Massachusetts, Amesbury voters vetoed a proposed ban on retail marijuana stores.

In Washington, Yakima County voters banned existing marijuana businesses in unincorporated areas, setting up a court fight by 20 retailers.

In New Jersey, legal marijuana supporter Phil Murphy was elected governor, replacing prohibitionist Chris Christie. N.J. Senate President Stephen Sweeney said he hoped to make marijuana legal within 100 days. It is expected to generate about $300 million in taxes.

In the Virginia governor’s race, decriminilizatioin supporter Ralph Northam was elected.