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A4 U.S. NEWS
Wednesday 9 november 2022
Voters in 5 states decide whether to legalize marijuana

By ANDREW DeMILLO Asso- ing medical marijuana li-
ciated Press censes, according to an
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Associated Press analysis of
Voters in five states are the most recent campaign
deciding on Election Day finance reports.
whether to approve recre- The initiative has drawn the
ational marijuana, a move criticism of traditional legal-
that could signal a major ization opponents as well
shift toward legalization in as some medical marijua-
even the most conserva- na advocates, who say the
tive parts of the country. Arkansas proposal places
The proposals are on the too many limits and would
ballot in Arkansas, Mary- only benefit a handful of
land, Missouri, North Dako- dispensaries.
ta and South Dakota and Republican Gov. Asa
follow moves by President Hutchinson, a former head
Joe Biden toward decrimi- of the federal Drug Enforce-
nalizing marijuana. Biden ment Administration, has
last month announced he also opposed the measure.
was pardoning thousands Missouri's proposal would
of Americans convicted of A demonstrator waves a flag with marijuana leaves depicted on it during a protest calling for the legalize recreational mari-
simple possession of mari- legalization of marijuana, outside of the White House on April 2, 2016, in Washington. Voters in five juana for adults 21 and
juana under federal law. states are deciding on Election Day whether to approve recreational marijuana. The proposals older and expunge records
going before voters in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota on Tuesday
Advocates of the mari- could signal a major shift toward legalization in even the most conservative parts of the country. of past arrests and convic-
juana initiatives have said Associated Press tions for nonviolent mari-
Biden's announcement juana offenses, except for
may give a boost to their cept for Maryland, voted Bible Belt state to approve have raised about $23 mil- selling to minors or driving
efforts. for Trump in the 2020 presi- medical marijuana. The lion in the five states, with under the influence. Mary-
Recreational marijuana is dential election. state's dispensaries opened the vast majority in Arkan- land's proposal would also
legal in 19 states, and polls The five states also cur- in 2019, and more than sas and Missouri. More make changes in criminal
have shown opposition to rently have legal medical 91,000 patients have cards than 85% of contributions law and create automat-
legalization softening. All of marijuana programs. That to legally buy marijuana for in those two states have ic expungements of past
the states with recreational includes Arkansas, which medical conditions. come from donors associ- marijuana possession con-
marijuana on the ballot, ex- in 2016 became the first The legalization campaigns ated with companies hold- victions. q

Winter storm brings rain, snow and

flood fears to California

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A last into midweek. It ar- foothills of the San Gabriel
major winter storm pound- rived Monday, bringing Mountains, issued manda-
ed California on Tuesday, hopes that the precipita- tory evacuation orders late
bringing rain and snow to tion could blunt an already Monday night for about 25
the drought-stricken state moderate wildfire season homes in the Fish Fire burn
along with possible flash in California. scar area. The Christian Flag is raised at City Hall Plaza in Boston, Aug.
flooding in areas recently But in some areas, the Other evacuation or- 3, 2022. The city of Boston has agreed to pay more than $2.1
scarred by wildfires, meteo- rain posed its own prob- ders are in place through million to the Christian legal organization that backed a court
rologists said. lems. The city of Duarte, Wednesday morning for challenge after the city refused to fly a Christian flag outside City
Hall, a case that made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The storm is predicted to in the Southern California canyon areas in the Santa Associated Press
Ana Mountains' Bond Fire
burn scar.
In Northern California, me- Boston pays out $2.1M to
teorologists issued a flash
flood watch through 5 settle Christian flag legal
p.m. Tuesday, warning that
heavy rainfall could lead case
to debris flows and flash
flooding in the burn scars
of the Colorado and River By MARK PRATT Associated Press
wildfires. BOSTON (AP) — The city of Boston has agreed to pay
National Weather Service more than $2.1 million to the Christian legal organization
meteorologists expect be- that backed a court challenge after the city refused to fly
tween 1 and 3 inches (2.54 a Christian flag outside City Hall, a case that made it all
In this image taken from video from a Caltrans remote video and 7.62 centimeters) of the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
traffic camera, traffic moves slowly through the snowy conditions rainfall through Wednes- The settlement announced Tuesday by Liberty Counsel
along Interstate 80 near Truckee, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. A day in the Los Angeles covers attorneys' fees and other costs associated with
major winter storm pounded California on Tuesday, bringing rain area's coast and valleys. the legal battle that started in 2017 when city resident Hal
and snow to the drought-stricken state along with possible flash The foothills and mountains Shurtleff and his Camp Constitution group asked to hoist
flooding in areas recently scarred by wildfires, meteorologists
said. could see up to 5 inches the flag on one of three poles on City Hall Plaza to mark
Associated Press (12.70 centimeters). q Constitution Day.q