Portland, ME Legalizes Marijuana While IL Approves Same-Sex Marriage
November 6th, 2013
While the media drooled over the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial contests last night, voters in Portland, Maine were launching an all-out assault on cannabis prohibition. A referendum called Question 1, which legalizes recreational possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, passed with a clear majority. Medical marijuana is already legal in Maine.
Meanwhile, the Illinois legislature approved the legalization of same-sex marriage, and Governor Pat Quinn indicated that he would sign the bill into law in the future. After Illinois’ marriage ban is lifted, it will join 14 other states in allowing same-sex nuptials. Personal freedom and civil liberties gained serious momentum this week.
Marijuana Legalization Picks up Steam
A recent nationwide poll found that a majority of Americans approve of marijuana legalization. In fact, the poll didn’t specify whether the legalization would be for medical or recreational purposes, so it would appear that a majority now supports full-blown normalization of cannabis, similar to the way alcohol is treated.
Portland, Maine’s ballot initiative attracted 70% of the vote. David Boyer of Marijuana Policy Project pointed out the referendum’s nationwide significance, “I think there’s national implications, keeping the momentum that Washington and Colorado started last November in ending marijuana prohibition. This is just the next domino.” Supporters are hoping that the state of Maine will legalize marijuana for recreational use, building on the impetus of Portland’s initiative.
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Marriage Equality Expands into Illinois
Illinois’ recognition of same-sex marriage contributes to the inevitability of the cause. It will be the 15th state to license gay marriages, once the Governor makes it official with his signature. Momentum is building nationwide on this issue as well, and it’s only a matter of time until marriage equality is achieved in all 50 states.
Marriage licensing itself is an overreach of government power, and, so far, most governments have abused that authority by banning marriages between same-sex couples. However, if marriage licenses are going to be issued, they should be issued to all couples, regardless of orientation, in keeping with the principle of equal protection under the law. Illinois’ legislature made the right decision and enhanced freedom for couples whose unions had yet to gain legal status.
In an era when government agencies openly spy on American citizens, civil liberties advocates often struggle to find any positive developments in the daily news cycle. This week, however, liberty-loving rebels across the US engaged in a freedom rampage, advancing on two major social issues fronts. Portland’s marijuana legalization effort may result in state-wide approval, and it contributes to the sense that the same will eventually happen across the country. Illinois’ approval of same sex marriage gives the movement another mid-western foothold, which may help it spread into nearby states.
For achieving the legalization of recreational marijuana possession, the voters of Portland, Maine have earned a Silver Circle Rebel of the Week award. Additionally, the Illinois legislature, on behalf of its approval of same-sex marriage, is this week’s Rebel of the Week co-winner.
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