2012 and 2014 were watershed years for marijuana legalization marijuana legalization. Colorado and Washington blazed a trail for decriminalization and legalization for recreational use. 2015 was the first year that retail sales of recreational marijuana were implemented in these states, and regulators and entrepreneurs have worked to hammer out the logistics of implementing this new statutory scheme.

However, while all eyes have been watching the implementation of the new legalization laws unfold in Colorado and Washington, the movement for legalization has not been limited to these states. The 2014 midterm elections contained ballet initiatives in Oregon, Alaska and Washington D.C.

So it appears as though the West Coast has taken the lead in legalization initiatives over the last few years.

This could soon be changing, though.

In November 2016, at least five states are expected to vote on similar ballot initiatives - Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada -- and one could potentially appear on the ballot in Missouri. So far, legalization advocates have been relying on voter-backed initiatives to get legislation passed. Ballot initiatives are an important way to address issues that legislatures, for whatever reason, fail to address. But just over half ofstates have some form of ballot initiative procedure, the remaining states must work through their respective state legislatures, which can be an uphill battle, especially in more traditional and conservative states.

However, a number of states have chosen to take measures to reformlaws related to cannabis. According to the Marijuana Policy Project, by the end of 2017, marijuana could be legalized in 15 states and D.C., which would comprise 26% of the nation's population.

Because states vary widely in the procedures and approaches toward legislative reform of marijuana laws, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how some states have chosen to approach the issues.

This post is the first in a series that will examine regional efforts to reform state marijuana laws. While the West Coast has been the vanguard of legalization efforts over the last few years, the rest of the county is taking similar measures. New England, for example is taking steps toward legalization for medical and recreational use.

Below is a summary of steps that New England state legislatures have taken toward decriminalization and legalization: