Topic: Marijuana Legalization

Chart of the Day

A Map That Shows the Dramatic Spread of Legal Weed in the U.S.

Philip Bump

Looking at the recent spread of liberalized marijuana laws across the United States, it's hard not to think we're entering some kind of Weed Spring. The latest state to act is Maryland, where on Monday the state senate approved a bill legalizing medical marijuana by 42 to 4, sending it to Gov. Martin O'Malley, who is expected to sign it into law.

By Philip Bump

Mar 19, 2013

New York Thinks Decriminalizing Pot Is Easier than Confronting Bloomberg

In some happy news for a healthy percentage of New Yorkers, the state appears to be close to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana in New York City. This isn't an effort to curtail crime — it's an (overdue) effort to rein in the NYPD and stop-and-frisk. The data shows why.

Comments | 2,931 Views

By Philip Bump

Mar 15, 2013

Pot-Hating New York Politician Cited for Having Pot

A Republican New York State Assemblymember who last June voted against legalizing marijuana in the state was ticketed for possession of marijuana, which is still illegal in the state of New York due to political opposition.

Comments | 8,419 Views

By Philip Bump

Feb 28, 2013

Colorado Explores the Cloudy Future of Driving While High

While there remains a loophole as to whether their driving was actually impaired, newfound smokers may be more at risk on the road and with the law.

Comments | 1,807 Views

By Elspeth Reeve

Feb 15, 2013

The Emerging Pro-Weed Majority

Marijuana could be the next gay marriage -- a contentious social issue that suddenly picks up broad, bipartisan support for change.

Comments | 9,698 Views

By Elspeth Reeve

Dec 14, 2012

Obama Says Targeting Stoners Not a 'Top Priority'

With more and more states legalizing marijuana, President Obama's administration hasn't said how it will reconcile federal laws against it, but in a new interview with ABC News's Barbara Walters, the president said he has "bigger fish to fry."

Comments | 1,540 Views

By Elspeth Reeve

Dec 13, 2012

How the Legalization of Marijuana Could Play Out

Despite the Justice Department getting ready to enforce and the Senate ready for a hearing, it's a little funny that legalization really could spread the way dorm room stoners always imagined: states will figure out they can make lots of money taxing weed.

Comments | 11,931 Views

By David Wagner

Nov 28, 2012

Why College Students Can't Smoke Pot in States Where Pot-Smoking Is Now Legal

Public universities and colleges in the two suddenly pro-pot states, despite this month's successful ballot measures, intend to keep enforcing anti-pot policies on their campuses — for now.

Comments | 5,799 Views

By David Wagner

Nov 26, 2012

The Future of Marijuana Legalization Looks... Cloudy

With pot legalization taking hold in Colorado and Washington after Election Day, marijuana proponents are pushing to make weed legal in New YorkRhode IslandMontana, and a slew of other states. But they'll face stiff resistance from the feds — and ambivalence from growers.

Comments | 10,590 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Nov 7, 2012

Suddenly, Pot Is Legal in (Part of) the United States

While you were watching to see whether Romney or Obama won Ohio, both Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana for recreational use on Tuesday.

Comments | 19,642 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Oct 3, 2012

Oregon Only Has $1,800 Left for Its Campaign to Legalize Pot

There's no shortage of stoners in Oregon, but for a number of different reasons, there's a huge shortage of funding in its perpetual campaign to legalize weed.

Comments | 7,414 Views

By Hannah Miet

Jun 19, 2012

Don't Get Your Hopes Up About Weed Decriminalization

Remember how New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called for the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana in public view? That was kind of fun, wasn't it? 

Comments | 4,045 Views

By Elspeth Reeve

Jun 15, 2012

Colbert: Will Stoners Put on Pants, Swing Election for Obama?

Stephen Colbert discussed The Atlantic Wire's post, "Is Legalizing Weed Obama's Secret Weapon?," on Thursday's show, wondering whether marijuana initiatives on several state ballots could swing a close election for the president.

Comments | 2,342 Views

By Elspeth Reeve

Jun 13, 2012

Is Legalizing Weed Obama's Secret Weapon?

In 2004 George W. Bush's re-election campaign worked to put anti-gay marriage ballot initiatives up for vote in several swing states in order to turn out more hard-core conservatives to the polls. This year the question is whether marijuana legalization measures will turn out young voters for Obama. 

Comments | 532,110 Views

By Connor Simpson

May 5, 2012

Connecticut to Legalize the Sale of Medical Marijuana

After ten hours of debate, the Connecticut senate passed a bill with a vote of 21-13 early Saturday morning that would legalize the sale of medical marijuana.

Comments | 2,672 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Mar 8, 2012

Pat Robertson Wants You to Smoke Pot Legally

Pat Robertson and marijuana legalization make for strange bedfellows, but he's actually been championing the cause—specifically its place in the conversation about prison reform—since 2010.

Comments | 3,216 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Jun 27, 2011

National Review and Willie Nelson Unite for Pot Legalization

From both ends of the political spectrum comes strong support for the Frank-Paul bill

Comments | 7,289 Views

By Adam Martin

Jun 2, 2011

Can You Pay for Pot with Credit Cards?

Legal medical marijuana has posed a dilemma for Visa and MasterCard

Comments | 710 Views

By Elspeth Reeve

Apr 21, 2011

15 Months from the Convention, Here's Your Republican Field

Former N.M. Gov. Gary Johnson, pro-weed legalization, announced his candidacy

Comments | 3,505 Views

By Caitlin Dickson

Mar 16, 2011

How the Federal Raids Illuminate Marijuana Legalization Problems

Two places where state and federal laws collide

Comments | 472 Views

By Eli Rosenberg

Mar 2, 2011

Obama-Calderon Meet Against Backdrop Of Tension

A look at the issues dividing the two countries and some potential solutions.

Comments | 532 Views

By Alex Eichler

Oct 18, 2010

By Jared Keller

Apr 20, 2010

On 4/20, Your One-Stop Marijuana Legalization Roundup

One way to mark the day: writing pro-legalization columns

Comments | 313 Views

By Carl Franzen

Dec 2, 2009

Lightning Rod

Marilyn Monroe Gets High

New footage of the buxom blonde smoking lights up the blogosphere

Comments | 760 Views

By Heather Horn

Nov 30, 2009

Screed

George Will, aka 'Grandpa Crazy-Pants'

Joshua Holland stands up for marijuana, clobbers "crotchety old fart"

Comments | 120 Views

By Carl Franzen

Nov 23, 2009

Cliché Watch

Marijuana Will Be Legal Soon!

Legalized pot always seems to be just around the corner

Comments | 862 Views

By Carl Franzen

Nov 19, 2009

'Cannabis Cafe' Opens in Oregon

Bloggers trot out their pot jokes for the opening of America's first medical marijuana cafe to allow on-site toking

Comments | 345 Views

By Carl Franzen

Nov 11, 2009

Breaking Ranks

AMA Warms to Marijuana Reseach

America's largest doctors organization makes a surprise announcement

Comments | 51 Views

By Mara Gay

Oct 19, 2009

Pot Fans and States' Rights Advocates Join in Celebration

Pundits of various stripes applaud the fed's decision to stop prosecuting medical marijuana in states where it's legal

Comments | 211 Views

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