Oregon becomes third US state to legalise recreational marijuana use

 

Oregon has become the third US state after Washington and Colorado to legalise recreational marijuana, with a decisive victory for a ballot measure on a particularly liberal law

Supporters of Measure 91– which was approved by about 54% of voters with two-thirds of the ballot counted – hailed the result as a boost to campaigns in other states from California to Massachusetts that are expected to hold similar votes
The result in Oregon, which followed the legalisation of recreational marijuana in neighbouring Washington state and Colorado two years ago, was cheered by national campaigns as evidence of a gathering movement.
Legalisation in Oregon, which comes into force in July 2015,goes further than in neighbouring Washington State by permitting users over the age of 21 to grow their own cannabis and keep up to four mature marijuana plants. Oregonians will also be able to possess much larger quantities than in Washington state or Colorado, which permit up to one ounce of cannabis. Oregon will allow eight ounces.
Oregon was the first state to decriminalise possession of small amounts of marijuana in 1973 and legalised medical marijuana 25 years later.