The state's marijuana legalization initiative, Proposition 207: The Smart & Safe Arizona Act [10], is crusing to victory Tuesday night. With nearly 73% of the vote counted as of 8:30pm Pacific Time, NBC News has called the election [11] with the measure currently winning 60% of the vote.
"Arizona voters have spoken, and they are ready for marijuana legalization," said Steve Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, which was founded in 1995 and has played a central role in eight state-level adult-use legalization victories over the past eight years.
"According to the latest Gallup poll, 66% of Americans support marijuana legalization, and this victory further reinforces that stance." Hawkins added. "We are poised for major marijuana reform federally. Regardless of who controls the White House, the House, or the Senate, Americans are ready for legal marijuana."
This election night has already seen New Jersey become the 12th state to legalize marijuana. Arizona makes 13. That number could rise to 15 before the night is over as we await results from pot legalization initiatives in Montana and South Dakota.