Citizens to vote on legal recreational marijuana in Oregon

SALEM, Ore., July 22 (UPI) -- The state of Oregon will let voters decide whether to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use in November ballot initiative.

The proposed Control, Regulation and Taxation Marijuana and Hemp Act would allow adults over 21 to have one ounce of marijuana in public and up to four ounces in their homes.

Marijuana advocacy group New Approach Oregon filed a petition with over 145,000 signatures supporting legalizing marijuana -- nearly double the amount required to qualify for ballot initiative in Oregon.

"This is our moment to be part of history and lead a movement," New Approach Oregon's metro regional organizer Dominique Lopez told local reporters.

"Treating marijuana use as a crime has failed, but together we can win a more sensible approach and better the lives of Oregonians."

Oregon is not alone in following Colorado and Washington's model as Alaskans will vote on recreational marijuana use in November as well. Additionally, Tom Angell, chairman of the advocacy group Marijuana Majority, told Huffington Post he expects Washington D.C. to add a ballot initiative on the issue.

"With legalization initiatives qualified in two states -- with another in D.C. likely to be certified soon -- plus several recent wins on the floor of the Republican-controlled U.S. House, 2014 is shaping up to be the biggest year for marijuana reform yet," Angell proclaimed.

"If we win these legalization initiatives, it's not only likely that more states will follow suit in 2016, but that presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle are going to see the value in being perceived as pro-reform."