Alaska moves toward August vote on legal pot

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/04/alaska-marijuana-ballot/5210613/

Alaska could be the next state to reconsider the prohibition on marijuana, following legalization votes by Colorado and Washington last year.

Alaska elections officials posted data Tuesday showing that a petition for a statewide vote on marijuana legalization has gained enough signatures and met legal thresholds needed to put the issue before voters.

Under Alaska law, the petition when officially certified would appear on the Aug. 19 primary ballot. No formal opposition to the initiative has emerged thus far.

Taylor Bickford, spokesman for an Anchorage-based organization that is behind the ballot drive, said that while petitions are still being counted, the state has reported 31,593 signatures are qualified, more than the 30,169 needed.