Marijuana legalization is set to be one of the biggest ballot measure topics to watch in this election, as nine states are ready to vote on legalizing recreational or medical marijuana in less than a week. In California, a host of artists, including Pusha T, have rallied to show support for Prop 64, which could legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults aged 21 years or older.

Pusha T filmed a PSA Tuesday announcing his support for the proposition, claiming “[legalizing weed] is an important step in ending mass incarceration across the country.”

The rapper, who doubles as president of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music record label, considers marijuana arrests to be the driving force behind the antiquated War on Drugs and a top reason for recidivism, or relapse, in the nation’s justice system.

Watch Pusha T’s PSA Supporting Prop 64

Pusha T joins actress Shailene Woodley, music mogul Jay Z, rapper and actor Common, comedian Sarah Silverman, and many others in supporting the measure as part of the celebrity coalition Artists for 64.

“I’m not a California voter, but I know when good legislation passes in the biggest state, other states follow,” said Pusha T. “That’s an important step in ending mass incarceration around the country.”

The topic of mass incarceration appears to be of great importance to the rapper, who recently spoke about its rates and the rights of ex-felons with Stephen Colbert, after campaigning in Florida for Hillary Clinton with vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine.

Prop 64 would also create two new taxes, according to Ballotpedia. That revenue would be “spent on drug research, treatment, and enforcement, health and safety grants addressing marijuana, youth programs, and preventing environmental damage resulting from illegal marijuana production.”

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

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It’s been a truly whirlwind few years for marijuana legalization. In 2012, voters in Washington and Colorado voted to legalize marijuana use in those states. Others continue to decriminalize marijuana and allow its use for medical purposes. Today Oregon, Alaska, and the District of Columbia will vote on whether or not to legalize marijuana. How do these laws stack up? Check out the infographic below, based on information from Measure 91 in Oregon, Ballot Measure 2 in Alaska, and Ballot Initiative 71 in DC.

Oregon, Alaska, and the District of Columbia aren’t the only places considering marijuana legalization today. The cities of Lewistown and South Portland, Maine, are going to vote on whether or not to legalize it — Portland, Maine has already made it legal for adults to own less than an ounce of the substance. In addition, votes continue on legalizing medical marijuana. If the initiative currently up for a vote in Florida passes, it would make the Sunshine State the twenty-fourth to legalize marijuana, as well as the first southern state.

Regardless of how these particular measures do, there’s a good chance that we’ll see more states starting to legalize marijuana in the very near future. The national opinion on marijuana has changed rapidly. Polls fluctuate, but the amount of Americans who believe legalizing marijuana would be in the best interest of the nation hovers around 50 percent. In addition, most Americans don’t think that jail time should be served for small amounts of marijuana, which is now very much a “soft” drug; it doesn’t receive the same kind of punishment as more addictive and harmful drugs.

The progress in Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia might not mean that we suddenly see a large wave of marijuana legalization across the country — it will still be illegal under federal law. But it will be interesting to see if any other states join Colorado and Washington this year.

Editor’s note: The infographic in this article was updated November 5, 2014 to reflect each vote’s outcome.

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.

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