Colorado and Washington Legalize Recreational Marijuana in Historic Votes

Colorado Amendment 64 and Washington Initiative 502 passed on November 6, 2012, making both states the first in the United States to legalize recreational adult cannabis use. The Obama administration's DOJ issued the Cole Memo in August 2013, outlining eight federal enforcement priorities and effectively deferring prosecution against state-compliant cannabis businesses. The votes proved that recreational legalization was electorally viable, triggering a wave of state ballot measures.