The paper’s editorial board predicts 2016 marijuana ballot measures will influence national change.

While most eyes have been set on the presidential race during the 2016 election, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and California all held a vote to legalize recreational marijuana, a decision that could potentially shift the nation on a cultural and economic level.

While most eyes have been set on the presidential race during the 2016 election, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and California all held a vote to legalize recreational marijuana, a decision that could potentially shift the nation on a cultural and economic level.

To date, more than half of the United States — including the District of Columbia — have adopted laws that allow the consumption of marijuana for recreational and/or medical purposes.

In 2016, we saw four states successfully legalize recreational cannabis and eight states approve new medical policies.

In 2016, we saw four states successfully legalize recreational cannabis and eight states approve new medical policies.

Gary Johnson has a backup plan. If the Libertarian candidate for president doesn’t win the White House in 2016, he hopes to profit handsomely from a timely investment in the marijuana business.

Gary Johnson has a backup plan. If the Libertarian candidate for president doesn’t win the White House in 2016, he hopes to profit handsomely from a timely investment in the marijuana business.

For the cannabis-conscious voter, Kaine can be described in one word: unimpressive.

For the cannabis-conscious voter, Kaine can be described in one word: unimpressive.

Ann Lee and Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition don’t consider prohibition a conservative value.

Ann Lee and Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition don’t consider prohibition a conservative value.

Since last Tuesday, we have seen a deluge of stories asking what federal pot policy is going to look like under President-elect Trump.

Since last Tuesday, we have seen a deluge of stories asking what federal pot policy is going to look like under President-elect Trump.

TRENTON — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Friday he would not use federal laws to eliminate legalized marijuana in states like Colorado.

TRENTON — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Friday he would not use federal laws to eliminate legalized marijuana in states like Colorado.

More are questioning the effectiveness of the government’s protracted battle against drug cartels; small steps to allow medical marijuana.

MONTPELIER, Vt. - "It could have happened in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s. There are thousands of them," said Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vermont.

MONTPELIER, Vt. - "It could have happened in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s. There are thousands of them," said Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vermont.

In the next few weeks, as Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin nears the end of his time in office, his state could make history. If he has his way, Vermont will become the first state in the union to legalize marijuana through its legislature.

In the next few weeks, as Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin nears the end of his time in office, his state could make history. If he has his way, Vermont will become the first state in the union to legalize marijuana through its legislature.

A measure legalizing marijuana use in Vermont cleared the state's legislature on Wednesday.

A measure legalizing marijuana use in Vermont cleared the state's legislature on Wednesday.

House Bill 170 would legalize possession of up to two ounces of marijuana by adults 21 or older, who would be able to grow limited amounts of cannabis at home.

House Bill 170 would legalize possession of up to two ounces of marijuana by adults 21 or older, who would be able to grow limited amounts of cannabis at home.

5th District Congressman Tom Garrett has introduced legislation aimed at federally decriminalizing marijuana.

5th District Congressman Tom Garrett has introduced legislation aimed at federally decriminalizing marijuana.

RICHMOND – Virginia probably will ease up a bit in its laws against marijuana by making it easier for epilepsy patients to obtain cannabis extract oils and by relaxing the penalty for people caught with small amounts of marijuana.

RICHMOND – Virginia probably will ease up a bit in its laws against marijuana by making it easier for epilepsy patients to obtain cannabis extract oils and by relaxing the penalty for people caught with small amounts of marijuana.

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia won’t be pulling a Colorado by decriminalizing marijuana this year. But the state might relax its penalties for possessing marijuana and its rules on who can use marijuana products for medical reasons.

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia won’t be pulling a Colorado by decriminalizing marijuana this year. But the state might relax its penalties for possessing marijuana and its rules on who can use marijuana products for medical reasons.

When his city was hit with a rash of homicides and violent gun crimes in 2012, Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney Anton Bell said he took a hard look at the kinds of cases his office was working.

When his city was hit with a rash of homicides and violent gun crimes in 2012, Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney Anton Bell said he took a hard look at the kinds of cases his office was working.

State legislators have been squeamish about tackling legalization directly. And in the absence of action on their part, voters have taken measures into their own hands, driving successful legalization initiatives in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and D.C.

State legislators have been squeamish about tackling legalization directly. And in the absence of action on their part, voters have taken measures into their own hands, driving successful legalization initiatives in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and D.C.

The Green Party’s candidate for US president will be on the ballot in 45 states today; green will be on the ballot in nine.

The Green Party’s candidate for US president will be on the ballot in 45 states today; green will be on the ballot in nine.

Mayor Muriel Bowser is proposing doubling the amount of marijuana that patients can receive in a month, from two to four ounces, citing "best practices."

Mayor Muriel Bowser is proposing doubling the amount of marijuana that patients can receive in a month, from two to four ounces, citing "best practices."

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is working on the world's first government-produced manual on how to grow marijuana.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is working on the world's first government-produced manual on how to grow marijuana.

The second Tuesday in November will bring about more than just a blessed end to the grim presidential race. It might also be the day that five more states will legalize recreational marijuana.

The second Tuesday in November will bring about more than just a blessed end to the grim presidential race. It might also be the day that five more states will legalize recreational marijuana.

The shop, which opened its doors in 2015, is run by the city, making it the only government-operated cannabis store in the country.

The shop, which opened its doors in 2015, is run by the city, making it the only government-operated cannabis store in the country.

This action makes West Virginia the 29th state to legalize medical marijuana. 

This action makes West Virginia the 29th state to legalize medical marijuana. 

In true Trump fashion, the man is all over the place, and could at best become a lukewarm ally for state’s rights, or at worst, the leader of a new pot pogrom akin to that of Ronald Reagan.

In true Trump fashion, the man is all over the place, and could at best become a lukewarm ally for state’s rights, or at worst, the leader of a new pot pogrom akin to that of Ronald Reagan.

The country as a whole might be in trouble – but it looks like marijuana measures are probably safe.