Voters approve recreational marijuana

Question 2 on this year’s ballot, calling for legalization of recreational marijuana, was approved by voters Tuesday.

Any adult over age 21 or older can buy recreational marijuana with a valid identification card, effective on Jan. 1, 2017. Nevada joined California, Massachusetts, and Nevada in the legalization of marijuana on election day. The state sales tax on marijuana in Nevada will be 15 percent, and the annual licensing fees for recreational marijuana retail outlets will range from around $3,300 to $30,000.

Recreational marijuana was on the ballot in 2000 and 2012, but was rejected both times by voters. In 2016, the vote on recreational marijuana turned around, with 54 percent approval.

Kyle Peters, a 32-year-old Reno resident, talked about the benefits of recreational marijuana. “The tax benefit is the most obvious positive. The benefit I am most excited for is the legal one,” he said. “Finally, people will stop going to jail and fearing law enforcement for such a minor nonviolent crime.”

People in favor of the initiative said the job of law enforcement would become easier because there would be fewer arrests over the use of this drug. Another positive cited is that the new and legal recreational marijuana market would create more job opportunities.

Mark Campbell, a student of the University of Nevada, Reno, was not in favor of the ballot item. “The negatives are, minors smoking will rise.” But, he added, “at least it’ll just be a minor in consumption (charge) instead of ruining their lives.”

Campbell was still concerned about traffic safety.

“The big negative will be people driving under the influence,” he said.

Critics contend that making recreational marijuana legal will make the drug more accessible, and more addicting like alcohol. They also cite health concerns, such as damage to lungs.

Jessie Codie, a student at Truckee Meadows Community College, talked about how the public’s perception might change. “I think public perception would dramatically change because it would take away some of the stigma surrounding marijuana,” Codie said.” And I think if it was legal less people would do it to seem cool to their peers.”

The states that have already approve recreational marijuana are Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon. These states paved the way for three more states to legalize recreational marijuana on Tuesday.