OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington is one of four states where measures to legalize and regulate marijuana have been introduced.
Bills were introduced in California and Massachusetts earlier this year, and this month, New Hampshire and Washington state prefiled bills in advance of their legislative sessions that begin in January. Marijuana is illegal under federal law.
Marijuana advocates say that while legalization efforts are not likely to get much traction in statehouses anytime soon, the level of interest is increasing.
About two dozen other states are considering bills ranging from medical marijuana to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the herb.
Opponents of relaxing marijuana laws aren’t happy with any conversation on the topic, other than keeping the drug illegal.
