Arizona Among 4 States That Voted To Legalize Marijuana

Arizona voters approved a measure to legalize recreational marijuana on Tuesday.

With 99% of precincts counted, 59.8% voted in favor of Proposition 207, which will allow adults over 21 to possess up to an ounce of cannabis.

Prop. 207 also approves a 16% tax on marijuana sales, and the money will be used to fund community colleges, roads, public safety, and other public programs.

The state's cannabis industry will be regulated by Arizona Department of Health and Human Services. The agency currently oversees medical marijuana in Arizona.

Prop. 207 will also create a way for prior marijuana convictions to be removed from a person's criminal record, CNN reported.

Arizona rejected a similar proposition on the ballot in 2016 failed to pass.

Republican Governor Doug Ducey urged voters to reject Prop. 207, while more Democratic candidates were in favor of its passing.

"If Arizona can do it, the rest of the country is ready," said Julie Gunnigle, Democratic candidate for Maricopa County attorney, ahead of Election Day. Gunnigle currently leads her race against Republican candidate Allister Adel, 51% to 49%, but the race has not been called.

Voters in New Jersey, Montana, and South Dakota also voted in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana in their states. South Dakota and Mississippi also voted to legalize medical marijuana.

Oregon voted in favor of loosing its drug laws. It decriminalized possessing small amounts of hard drugs, like cocaine and heroin. Instead of going to jail, those arrested with these drugs will receive treatment for addition. Oregon also voted to legalize psychedelic mushrooms.

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