I find this article in the Boston Herald a very interesting reflection of how quickly the politics of marijuana have changed in just the past few years. The back story is that in 2008 Question 2, a ballot initiative to decriminalize marijuana possession, made it on the ballot in Massachusetts. The measure was actively opposed by many district attorneys, the Attorney General and the Governor. Despite the opposition from top politicians in the state it ended up passing with an incredible 65.2 percent yes vote, garnering even more votes that President Obama.

Are the voters in Massachusetts ready to embrace marijuana legalization in 2012? Analysis of the vote on local marijuana legalization advisory ballot question strongly points to yes.

In 73 local municipalities in Massachusetts, people will be voting on non-binding formal resolutions, public policy questions, asking the state government to pass medical marijuana or full marijuana legalization. According to MassCann, non-binding marijuana legalization resolutions will be on the ballot in localities with 7.5 percent of the state’s residents and the medical marijuana resolution will be on the ballot in areas with roughly 5.6 percent of the state’s population.