ALJAZEERA: Crowds counted down to midnight and then lit up joints in the streets as recreational marijuana became legal in Oregon on Wednesday, further strengthening the legalization movement’s foothold in the U.S. West.
Hundreds gathered in the middle of the night on the Burnside Bridge in downtown Portland and smoked under the glow of a neon city sign, marking the moment that the law allowing recreational use, backed by voters in November, came into effect.
The legislation opens the way for shops to sell marijuana by next year — though some lawmakers say they will still try to block retail outlets… (more)
