Pubdate: Mon, 08 Nov 2010 Source: Cape Cod Times (MA) Copyright: 2010 Cape Cod Times Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/sbOHSik6 Website: http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/72 Author: Ben Panish LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IS NO LONGER A FRINGE ISSUE The elections have shown a (predictably) divided nation when it comes to regulating/ending the illogical and costly prohibition of marijuana. Although the nonbinding Question 5 did not make it onto my precinct's ballot, I could not be more proud of my town for voting 62 percent to 38 percent in favor of the regulation and taxing of marijuana. On the other side of the nation, though, Oregonians shot down Proposition 74, choosing not to regulate medical marijuana in a disappointing outcome. And in what was probably the most closely watched question on any ballot, California shot down Proposition 19, postponing the complete legalization of marijuana, for now at least. Although these two propositions both lost due to a severe lack of voter turnout, regardless of vocal support, they represent a new era in this country when the discussion of legalization is no longer viewed as a fringe argument. Ben Panish East Falmouth - --- MAP posted-by: Matt