Voters in California and Massachusetts approved recreational marijuana initiatives Tuesday night, and several other states passed medical marijuana provisions in what is turning out to be the biggest electoral victory for marijuana reform since 2012, when Colorado and Washington first approved the drug's recreational use.

Voters in California and Massachusetts approved recreational marijuana initiatives Tuesday night, and several other states passed medical marijuana provisions in what is turning out to be the biggest electoral victory for marijuana reform since 2012, when Colorado and Washington first approved the drug's recreational use.

DENVER (CBS4)– Schools in Colorado will be required to allow medical marijuana after Gov. John Hickenlooper signed “Jack’s Law” on Monday.

DENVER (CBS4)– Schools in Colorado will be required to allow medical marijuana after Gov. John Hickenlooper signed “Jack’s Law” on Monday.

Thanks to voters who checked “yes” for recreational marijuana legalization on this year’s election ballot, gift-giving during the holidays is about to get a lot more dank.

Now that Marco Rubio is out of the race, for the first time in U.S. political history, every presidential candidate — of both parties — supports at least states' rights to do as they please with regard to marijuana legalization.

Now that Marco Rubio is out of the race, for the first time in U.S. political history, every presidential candidate — of both parties — supports at least states' rights to do as they please with regard to marijuana legalization.

This is a pivotal year for American drug policy. More states than ever will consider easing restrictions on marijuana use this November: Voters in five states will decide whether to fully legalize recreational use, while voters in four more will weigh in on whether to allow medical marijuana.

This is a pivotal year for American drug policy. More states than ever will consider easing restrictions on marijuana use this November: Voters in five states will decide whether to fully legalize recreational use, while voters in four more will weigh in on whether to allow medical marijuana.

Even with half the nation having legalized medical marijuana, motorists from legalized states are still facing police scrutiny in states where the laws are otherwise.

Even with half the nation having legalized medical marijuana, motorists from legalized states are still facing police scrutiny in states where the laws are otherwise.

Advocates of putting recreational marijuana on the Arizona ballot this November announced Thursday they met and exceeded signature requirements.

Advocates of putting recreational marijuana on the Arizona ballot this November announced Thursday they met and exceeded signature requirements.

CANBERRA, Australia — Australian lawmakers committed on Wednesday to legalize the growing of marijuana for medical use within a part of the world renowned for zero-tolerance and harsh penalties for illegal drugs.

“The federal government needs to do more than just allow states to be the laboratories of democracy when it comes to marijuana,” wrote Rep. Blumenauer and his allies.

“The federal government needs to do more than just allow states to be the laboratories of democracy when it comes to marijuana,” wrote Rep. Blumenauer and his allies.

HARTFORD – There won't be a vote on legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Connecticut this year but that didn't stop supporters and opponents from speaking out at an informational hearing at the Capitol Tuesday.

HARTFORD – There won't be a vote on legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Connecticut this year but that didn't stop supporters and opponents from speaking out at an informational hearing at the Capitol Tuesday.

Californians are set to decide whether to make recreational marijuana use legal, as other Western states have done, after the California Secretary of State's office said on Tuesday the issue could be put to voters in the November ballot.

Californians are set to decide whether to make recreational marijuana use legal, as other Western states have done, after the California Secretary of State's office said on Tuesday the issue could be put to voters in the November ballot.

Marijuana policy is often a sticky subject in California, but that may change with the nomination of the state's first ever Marijuana Czar.

Marijuana policy is often a sticky subject in California, but that may change with the nomination of the state's first ever Marijuana Czar.

Rescheduling will not shut down the thousands of existing medical (or for that matter recreational) grows, processing facilities and dispensaries that serve people in about half of the U.S.

Rescheduling will not shut down the thousands of existing medical (or for that matter recreational) grows, processing facilities and dispensaries that serve people in about half of the U.S.

Comedian Stephen Colbert caught Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) off guard late Wednesday night, joking about marijuana.

Comedian Stephen Colbert caught Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) off guard late Wednesday night, joking about marijuana.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowans 4 Medical Cannabis hosted a Compassionate Cannabis Rally at the Capitol on Tuesday to support legislation that would expand the state's current medical cannabis law.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowans 4 Medical Cannabis hosted a Compassionate Cannabis Rally at the Capitol on Tuesday to support legislation that would expand the state's current medical cannabis law.

It’s a joint political effort to pass marijuana reform.

It’s a joint political effort to pass marijuana reform.

Appeals court ruled stopping and searching such a driver violates the Constitution.

Appeals court ruled stopping and searching such a driver violates the Constitution.

DALLAS (1080 KRLD) – In Dallas, being caught with some marijuana may not mean a trip to jail anymore.

DALLAS (1080 KRLD) – In Dallas, being caught with some marijuana may not mean a trip to jail anymore.

Legal cannabis has been a hot topic in the march to Election Night 2016.

Legal cannabis has been a hot topic in the march to Election Night 2016.

Where does Delaware’s program stand one year after opening its first dispensary and five years since legalization?

Where does Delaware’s program stand one year after opening its first dispensary and five years since legalization?

Kay Lazar~ The Boston Globe ~

Facility in Salem reports 1,500 patients in 2 months.

New Yorkers may be toking more brazenly than ever before, but the NYPD says marijuana arrests are the lowest they've been in almost two decades.

PHOENIX - The fight over legalizing recreational pot in Arizona is heating up. A retired DEA agent with 18 years of experience tells ABC15 he believes it should be legalized, taxed and regulated.

Joycelyn Elders was never shy about speaking her mind as she consistently stirred public controversy while serving as surgeon general during her spirited – and short-lived – tenure with President Bill Clinton.

California’s lieutenant governor fully supports legalizing recreational pot.

California’s lieutenant governor fully supports legalizing recreational pot.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), a leading voice for the reform of marijuana laws in the United States, became the first sitting member of Congress in recent history to admit to medical marijuana use.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), a leading voice for the reform of marijuana laws in the United States, became the first sitting member of Congress in recent history to admit to medical marijuana use.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Marijuana possession in small amounts in Illinois will be punishable by fines but not jail time after Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation Friday that makes the state the third largest to decriminalize minor pot offenses.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Marijuana possession in small amounts in Illinois will be punishable by fines but not jail time after Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation Friday that makes the state the third largest to decriminalize minor pot offenses.

Hawaii residents eventually might be able to use marijuana recreationally, and patients could be allowed to purchase it from legally formed collectives. Those are among more than a dozen bills being vetted in the state Legislature related to marijuana and marijuana dispensaries.