Marijuana advocates and enthusiasts statewide rejoiced as Massachusetts saw success for approval of several marijuana reform public policy questions in 74 towns in the 2010 election.

Voters in 18 districts across the state were asked nine questions on the use of medical marijuana and nine questions on the legalization and taxation of marijuana for distribution to the public. The questions showed that the majority of voters in Massachusetts are in favor of medical use and the repeal of prohibition on sales.

Nine districts approved questions which would allow use of medical marijuana by between 41 percent and 59 percent margins. This overall approval of the medical marijuana questions may lead the Bay State to join the 14 other states in which physician-regulated use is tolerated.

Voters in eight other State House districts and one State Senate district approved public policy questions encouraging legislators to develop regulation and taxation plans for marijuana. All nine questions were passed relating to taxation and regulation by at least 61 percent.

The 2010 national election contributed to the approval of 63 marijuana public policy questions in total relating to decriminalization, medical use, and legalization since 2000. The average popular support for the 63 PPQs in total was at 64 percent, according to Bill Downing of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition.

Downing said such policy questions help spur enthusiasm for putting more binding questions on the ballot.

“For large fund[raising drives] you need to get interest involved, and one way you do that is providing evidence that such an effort would succeed,” he said.

The questions target legislators of these districts and, such groups as the CRC would hope, indicate that they should be supporting such policies.

Sometimes, explained Downing, the legislators are highly influential people, such as Jeffrey Sanchez, who represents the 15th Suffolk District and is chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Health. Another legislator the group targeted was State Sen. Cynthia Creem of the First Middlesex and Norfolk District, who is chairman of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.

The Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts asked voters in the First Hampden State Representative District, 18th Worcester Representative District, 9th Norfolk District, 14th Bristol District, 13th Worcester District, and 2nd Bristol District the following question: “Shall the state representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that would allow patients, with their doctor’s written recommendation, to possess, grow, and purchase marijuana for medical use?” All six districts approved the question.

The DPFMA asked the other districts if “the State Representative from this District be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that would allow the state to regulate and tax marijuana like alcohol?” in the Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket District, 13th Middlesex District, third Hampshire District, and first Franklin District, all of which approved the question.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, commonly known as MassCann, is the official state affiliate of NORML. Downing said MassCann’s philosophy is that “responsible adults should be allowed to smoke marijuana without government interference.”

MassCann also emphasizes the importance of keeping the public educated on the potential benefits of cannabis. He appreciates the “tremendous level of support” from Massachusetts voters on the issue of marijuana reform laws.

Michelle Durant, a sophomore and active member of the University of Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition said the results of the public policy questions are “really, really great news for us.”

“Even though Prop. 19 in California didn’t pass, that means we get to potentially be the first state to legalize,” she pointed out.

Durant also noted that Amherst voted 75 percent in favor of the legalization question.

In the future, Durant hopes to see the legalization of grow-your-own marijuana brought to a ballot question for the town. Durant feels it would “bring prosperity to the area.” Durant notes the potential beneficial contributions of cannabis such as the opportunity for jobs, clothing, and what she called a highly productive alternative to paper.

The CRC sees legalization of marijuana coming in the near future.

 “We see it for 2012; that’s our goal. With the public policy questions passing so well, it definitely gives us confidence that it will pass in 2012 for legalization,” said Durant.

Durant attributes the positive response to the marijuana questions to Amherst being a predominantly liberal college town.

“A lot of people are waking up and realizing that it should not be illegal, because it’s a human right for us to be able to choose,” she said.

Terry Franklin, who is also associated with the UMass CRC and an avid marijuana reform activist, noted that, with the success of these questions, “People are going to reevaluate policy when they see the results.”

Franklin said he feels the issue is being discussed more than in the past.

“A lot of people in politics are looking at it, and a lot of people in the legalization movement are very enthusiastic about the way things are going.”

Nancy Pierce can be reached at [email protected]