State Ballot Initiatives Advance Libertarian Causes

In an historic first that has been largely ignored in the media both Colorado and Washington State decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use. Oregon narrowly defeated a similar measure. Federal law still criminalizes marijuana. But this is a huge move signalling America's waning support for prohibition. It will also make it exceedingly difficult to enforce Federal law without the aid of local law enforcement.

On another front, and one where I am conflicted, Maine Washington and Maryland approved ballot measure legalizing same sex marriage. As I have said many times the government needs to get out of the marriage business and remove the word from the legal code. Anyone who wants their particular domestic arrangements recognized for purposes of benefits etc should simply draw up a contract and have it notarized by the Justice of the Peace or local equivalent. A civil union system such as exists in many European countries would also work. But marriage should be left to religious institutions without state interference of any kind. Regrettably as long as we are going to insist on state involvement in marriage then the above measures are right.