Legalize It: Oregon OK’s Recreational Marijuana Use, Time To Light Up

As the clock struck midnight Wednesday, marijuana smokers across Oregon lit up their first legal joints to celebrate the legalization of recreational marijuana.

The move makes Oregon the fourth state in the country to legalize marijuana following Washington State, Colorado, Alaska, and the District of Columbia, according to Reuters.

The legislation, passed by voters last November by 56 percent, allows for the retail sale of marijuana, private possession up to 8 ounces inside the home, and one ounce outside the home along with possession of up to four plants.

Most importantly, it allows adults over 21 to legally smoke marijuana in their own homes and out of public view.

Not every Oregon resident is happy about the new law, however.

Another bill is on its way to the governor that would allow cities which voted against legalized marijuana to prohibit retail sales.

Smoking in public, driving while high, transporting marijuana outside the state, and possession by minors remain illegal.

One of the bill’s author’s, Anthony Johnson, told the Huffington Post that marijuana will now be treated like beer and wine.

“It supports people who want to succeed in society. There’s no reason we should saddle people with crimes on their record that prevent them from having good educational and employment opportunities.”

For now, there’s a gray area in Oregon law as marijuana is legal to possess and smoke, but illegal to sell. Retail sales are expected to begin next year after the government has a chance to issues licenses; for now some organizations are giving away marijuana in the form of free samples of weed and seeds.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, but some 23 states have decriminalized the practice in one form or another.

The nation’s marijuana industry, however, is gaining steam as states across the nation begin their own legalizations.

In June, Big Marijuana hosted one of its first ever dinner parties and raised more than $100,000 for Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon, according to the Inquisitr.

Colorado, which first legalized marijuana in January, 2014 has seen a dramatic drop in crime as the black market is driven into the daylight, accompanied by a drop in crime.

The mile high state will play host to the nation’s first ever marijuana friendly adult outdoor camp featuring hiking and biking along with weed friendly cooking and night time smoke outs, according to the Inquisitr.

What do you think? Should recreational marijuana be legal?

[Photo by Sean Gallup/David Ramos/Chris Hondros/Getty Images]