Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP) take on the RNC.

Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP) take on the RNC.

Voters in 20 U.S. states could potentially legalize some form of cannabis use in the November 2016 election — part of a historic backlash to the century-old war on 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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

The legalization debate looks different on opposite sides of the country: politicians' cautious approaches in Massachusetts and Vermont contrast with those in equally liberal California.

The legalization debate looks different on opposite sides of the country: politicians' cautious approaches in Massachusetts and Vermont contrast with those in equally liberal California.

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.

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.

Texans who are arrested for possessing small amounts of marijuana shouldn’t be locked out of jobs and haunted by minor lapses in judgment for the rest of their lives, business and legislative leaders say.

Heightened competition in the market for legal recreational weed is pushing prices down and firing up border wars across state lines.

Cannabis legalization advocates will not be among those lamenting her loss.

Cannabis legalization advocates will not be among those lamenting her loss.

Attention senior class-trip chaperones, cherry blossom lovers, and anyone else who may wander by the White House on Saturday: Brace yourself for a cloud of marijuana smoke — and, possibly, mass arrests.

Attention senior class-trip chaperones, cherry blossom lovers, and anyone else who may wander by the White House on Saturday: Brace yourself for a cloud of marijuana smoke — and, possibly, mass arrests.

Legislators in more than a dozen states have introduced measures to loosen laws restricting access to or criminalizing marijuana, a rush of legislative activity that supporters hope reflects a newfound willingness by public officials to embrace a trend toward legalization.

Legislators in more than a dozen states have introduced measures to loosen laws restricting access to or criminalizing marijuana, a rush of legislative activity that supporters hope reflects a newfound willingness by public officials to embrace a trend toward legalization.

Once the Pennsylvania bill takes effect, nearly half of the states across the US will allow legal medical marijuana.

Once the Pennsylvania bill takes effect, nearly half of the states across the US will allow legal medical marijuana.

After a year of debate, the country's top justices decide not to hear a case claiming Colorado's pot legalization has negatively impacted law and order in neighboring states.

Voters in nine states will get to decide whether to liberalize laws involving marijuana this year in a rush of ballot measures that pro-pot activists see as a critical tipping point in the fight over legalization.

Voters in nine states will get to decide whether to liberalize laws involving marijuana this year in a rush of ballot measures that pro-pot activists see as a critical tipping point in the fight over legalization.

A new survey by the Associated Press and the University of Chicago finds that a record-high percentage of Americans -- 61 percent -- say they support marijuana legalization.

A new survey by the Associated Press and the University of Chicago finds that a record-high percentage of Americans -- 61 percent -- say they support marijuana legalization.

Within the next couple of weeks, Tampa police will no longer be obligated to drag every person caught with marijuana down to the local precinct.

Within the next couple of weeks, Tampa police will no longer be obligated to drag every person caught with marijuana down to the local precinct.

Conservatively raised Becca Harmon said she would not have believed it if someone told her she would one day be sitting in a public park in Amarillo advocating for the legalization of cannabis. But then she had Jilli.

Conservatively raised Becca Harmon said she would not have believed it if someone told her she would one day be sitting in a public park in Amarillo advocating for the legalization of cannabis. But then she had Jilli.

It was his experience with medical cannabis that got Stephen Mandile up in arms about providing better for Massachusetts veterans.

Branson’s firsthand exposure to cannabis-funded drug abuse treatment in Colorado is significant, state officials and marijuana industry representatives agree.

What does this somewhat anonymous legislation seek to do and what would it mean for state policy toward medical marijuana?

What does this somewhat anonymous legislation seek to do and what would it mean for state policy toward medical marijuana?