From: 23x11.5c@gmail.com   
      
   Now the capital really has gone to pot! Washington DC joins Oregon and Alaska   
   in voting to legalize marijuana   
      
   Washington D.C. legalizes recreational weed and low-level production   
   Oregon also decriminalized marijuana in the state, followed by Alaska   
      
   They join Colorado and Washington as pot-friendly places in America   
   California dispensary offers gram to those who come in with voting sticker   
      
   However, Florida voters knock back measure allowing for medical marijuana   
      
   By FRANCESCA CHAMBERS    
   and COREY CHARLTON FOR MAILONLINE   
      
   PUBLISHED: 14:39 EST, 4 November 2014 | UPDATED: 20:34 EST, 5 November 2014   
      
   Marijuana has been legalized in Washington D.C., Oregon and Alaska as a series   
   of sidelined pro-cannabis referendums were ushered in during the midterm   
   elections.   
      
   The legalization has provided a new high for the marijuana lobby, two years   
   after Colorado and Washington led the way in approving cannabis for   
   recreational use.   
      
   On marijuana, Washington, D.C. approved the measure by 65 percent in favor and   
   28 percent against, while Oregon passed by 54 percent to 46 percent. In   
   Alaska, the vote was passed with a 52 percent majority.   
      
   Scroll down for video    
      
   Free weed: A medical marijuana dispensary in Sacramento, California, River   
   City Phoenix (above), was offering a free gram of weed to members of the   
   public who vote on Tuesday   
   +6   
   Free weed: A medical marijuana dispensary in Sacramento, California, River   
   City Phoenix (above), was offering a free gram of weed to members of the   
   public who vote on Tuesday   
      
    Mike Elliot, head of the Colorado-based Marijuana Industry Group, said: 'More   
   and more people are realizing that it makes sense to choose licensed,   
   regulated, and taxed marijuana businesses over the drug cartels.'   
      
   On the streets of the US capital, pro-marijuana campaigners were in jubilant   
   form.   
      
   The result in Washington D.C. became not just a practical victory for its   
   campaigners, but also a symbolic one.   
      
   Malik Burnett, a leading pro-cannabis campaigner, said: 'This is a great day   
   for ending the war on drugs in the District of Columbia.'   
      
   Washington DC, Oregon and Alaska vote to legalize marijuana   
      
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   He told the Washington Post: 'This is huge. We're talking about ending the   
   prohibition of marijuana as a manifestation of the war on drugs, in the   
   birthplace of the war on drugs: Washington, D.C.   
      
   'The District of Columbia was the birth place of the war on drugs, and   
   marijuana prohibition was the engine of the war on drugs. Today we are putting   
   the engine out of commission.'    
      
   However, Florida appeared to have failed to approve a measure allowing   
   marijuana for medical purposes.   
      
   Some 57 percent voted in favor, less than the 60 percent required for the   
   proposal to pass, partial results showed.   
      
   Following Colorado and Washington's lead two years ago, the shift in policy   
   could inspire other states to take similar action during the next election,   
   and eventually, lead to loosened marijuana laws across the country.   
      
   And while marijuana is nowhere to be found on the ballot in California, a   
   medical marijuana dispensary in Sacramento, River City Phoenix, was offering a   
   free gram of weed to members of the public who vote on Tuesday.   
      
      
      
   Trail-blazer: Portland attorney Bradley Steinman (above), who helped write the   
   initiative that became Oregon Measure 91, wore a Marijuana hat to support his   
   work on Tuesday   
   Trail-blazer: Portland attorney Bradley Steinman (above), who helped write the   
   initiative that became Oregon Measure 91, wore a Marijuana hat to support his   
   work on Tuesday   
      
   Too good to be true: The Facebook message announcing free weed at River City   
   Phoenix (above)   
   Too good to be true: The Facebook message announcing free weed at River City   
   Phoenix (above)   
      
   Speaking with KCRA, manager Shayna Schonauer said, 'If people go out and they   
   vote and they bring in their "I Voted" sticker, we're going to give them a   
   complimentary gram on the house.'   
      
   At least a dozen people had taken the dispensary up on their offer by midday.   
      
   Opponents worry that the government won't truly be able to regulate the   
   marijuana industry to make sure sellers are distributing safe to use product.   
   They're also concerned that it will lead to greater numbers of car accidents   
   as high drivers take to the    
   roads.   
      
   The Portland Mercury, a local paper, has pointed to Washington and Colorado as   
   evidence that the argument is bogus. Neither states have seen an increased in   
   roadway accidents since legalizing pot two years ago, it said.   
      
   The New York Times and the state's most influential newspaper, The Oregonian,   
   have both come out in favor of marijuana legalization in the state.    
      
   Alaska's vote will change the law to allow people over the age of 21 to   
   maintain six pot plants and poses a single ounce of dope.   
      
   According to language contained in the measure, the Alcoholic Beverage Control   
   Board would implement the bill, but the state legislature would be required to   
   develop a Marijuana Control Board to take over regulation of pot sales   
   permanently.   
      
      
   Activist Anastasia Stepanova from the D.C. Cannabis Campaign holds a sign   
   during the midterm elections in Washington, D.C. encouraging voters to   
   legalize recreational weed and low-level pot production   
   Activist Anastasia Stepanova from the D.C. Cannabis Campaign holds a sign   
   during the midterm elections in Washington, D.C. encouraging voters to   
   legalize recreational weed and low-level pot production   
      
   Washington, D.C. residents are voting on whether or not to legalize   
   recreational weed and low-level pot production   
      
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