November 3rd is election day in the US. Since I will not be able to vote in person that day, I have already voted by mail. In Cuyahoga County where I live, there is Proposition 8 that seeks a renewal of the so-called ‘sin tax’ that levies an extra tax on cigarettes, with the proceeds going to fund arts and cultural organization in the region. I voted in favor of it.

There are also three statewide referenda on constitutional issues. Issue 1 calls for the setting up of an independent body to draw the lines for districts for the state legislature. Currently these lines are drawn by the majority party in power and thus ripe for gerrymandering. I voted in favor.

The other two issues are complicated and involve language about monopolies and the like that can be quite confusing.

Issue 2 is essentially designed to nullify Issue 3 without explicitly saying so and I voted against it.

Issue 3 essentially will lead to the legalization of recreational uses of marijuana. I voted in favor of it.

The recommendations by the Ohio ACLU for the three ballot initiatives on the November 3 election are the same as mine and also urge voters to vote ‘Yes, No, Yes’ on the three issues. For more details on issues 2 and 3, Robert Higgs has written a pretty good explainer.

Public opinion on marijuana use has changed quite dramatically recently. Currently support for legalization has reached 60% nationwide.

During the election campaign, new Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau promised to legalize marijuana. If he carries through on his campaign promise, Canada would be the first developed nation to legalize marijuana for recreational use.