The 1877 bargain ended federal occupation of the South and Northerners efforts to ensure the rights of Southern blacks. Todaythe Government of the United States abandoned you, the Republican governor of South Carolina told his African American supporters, as the last federal soldiers departed.
Already, 25 states have legalized medical marijuana, while four statesâAlaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washingtonâhave legalized recreational pot, as has Washington, D.C. Several more states could soon be joining those ranks.
There are now 24 jurisdictions with laws that legalize use of marijuana for medical purposes. Five of those jurisdictionsâColorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and the District of Columbiaâhave gone so far as to legalize the drug for recreational use, with similar legislation pending or under consideration in a number of other states.