4 states legalize recreational marijuana

In addition to voting for the candidates of their choice, American people voted for policy and constitutional amendments this election year.

One of the hot topics on the docket?

Legalization of medical and recreational marijuana.

Four states -- California, Nevada, Maine and Massachusetts -- voted to legalize recreational marijuana.

"I'm not necessarily stoked nor surprised," California resident Graham Shaw told

. "I am very happy that the war on cannabis in California is finally over."

Ken Corney, president of the California Police Chiefs Association, told the AP that he is "disappointed."

According to the Guardian, the legalization paved the way for what is the largest commercial marijuana market in the U.S. Recreational marijuana is already legal in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

California became the first state to approve medical marijuana in 1996.

Florida, North Dakota and Arkansas voted this week to legalize medical marijuana, with different restrictions for each state.

Other important topics on ballots addressed the death penalty, gun laws and increasing the minimum wage.

Oklahoma and Nebraska voters passed ballot measures to reinstate the death penalty in those states.

Arizona, Washington, Colorado and Maine voted to raise the minimum wage, with Arizona, Colorado and Maine pushing for an hourly wage of $12 by 2020.

Read more at the Guardian.

Cox Media Group