California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom (D) dedicated a large segment of his speech at the state Democratic convention this weekend urging the party to support marijuana legalization. He called on his fellow politicians to come out of the closet and publicly support reform. (marijuana talk starts at 7:58) Newsom received a round of applause when [...]

The people of California are ready to follow the example set by Colorado and Washington State. A new Field Poll found that a majority of voters in the state now support legalizing the sale of marijuana, with age and other controls like those applicable to alcohol. According to the poll, 54 percent of voters in [...]

Massachusetts, California, Oregon, Maine, and Nevada are most likely to be the next five states to legalize marijuana, based on careful analysis. In the near term, two basic things are required before a state is likely to legalize marijuana. The state needs to allow citizen ballot initiatives and have an electorate ready to embrace reform. [...]

Every time a prominent elected official speaks out in support of marijuana legalization it is important because it helps reduce the stigma and it makes it easier for other politicians to “come out of the closet” on this issue, but Newsom’s endorsement of legalization is especially significant because of his position.

Slightly more voters in California still oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational use than support legalization, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner. Overall support for marijuana legalization among California voters remains basically unchanged since 2010. USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times (5/17-21) Q.55 Do you think marijuana should be legalized for [...]