Seattle marijuana advocates mark Washington's new cannabis laws

• Washington state first in US where it is legal to smoke pot
• Legislation approved by voters in the US general election
• Marijuana use for any purpose still a federal crime

MARIJUANA advocates have rejoiced by lighting joints under Seattle's iconic Space Needle as Washington became the first state in the US where it is legal to smoke pot for recreational purposes. Washington state had been among 20 US states to allow the uses of marijuana for physician-approved medicinal purposes.

A voter approved law legalising same sex marriage also came into force on Thursday, with some 300 licences issued to gay couples in the first hours after the law went into effect at midnight.

Supporters of gay marriage were equally jubilant about their new law with many lining up for hours to be among the first to get same sex marriage licences at midnight.

Because the state has a three-day waiting period, the earliest that weddings can take place is Sunday.
Washington was one of three states, along with Maine and Maryland, to approve same-sex marriage in the November elections.

They joined New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia that have previously enacted laws or issued court rulings permitting same-sex marriage.

Source : Seattle marijuana advocates mark Washington's new cannabis laws