Voters in California, Massachusetts approve marijuana use

 California, Massachusetts and Nevada legalized marijuana on Tuesday in what advocates said was a reflection of the country’s changing attitude toward the drug.

Leading up to the election, recreational marijuana use was legal in four states: Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, along with Washington, D.C.

With the addition of California, Massachusetts and Nevada, the percentage of Americans living in states where marijuana use is legal for adults rose above 20 percent, from 5 percent.

People in four states, including Florida, will soon be able to use the drug for medical reasons.

Out of nine states considering ballot initiatives on marijuana, only Arizona seemed poised to reject a proposal allowing its recreational use.

Florida became the first state in the Southeast to legalize medical use of the drug, and Arkansas, North Dakota and possibly Montana approved similar measures.

Marijuana was one of several big ballot initiatives and proposals facing residents of various states. 

Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Maine and Washington approved increases in the minimum wage. Voters in California were leaning toward endorsing the death penalty, and Nebraska voted to reinstate it. Oklahoma voted to allow more methods of execution.