State Highlights

By Patricia Cohen

Washington voters legalized marijuana for people over 21. The ballot initiative legalizes marijuana not merely for those who need it for medical reasons, but also for those who want it for the fun of it.

The new law, which may face a challenge from the federal authorities that continue to classify marijuana as an illegal drug, limits how much of the drug’s component chemical, THC, a person may have in the blood in order to drive legally.

A referendum to legalize same-sex marriage also passed, with 51.8 percent of the vote. Gov. Christine O. Gregoire, a Democrat, signed same-sex marriage into law last winter, but it was not enforced after opponents, backed by nearly 250,000 signatures, submitted petitions for a referendum.

Other ballot measures promised significant changes in Washington, including one to lift the ban on charter schools.

Ms. Gregoire, a Democrat, is retiring this year, and the marriage proposition has become a top talking point among those vying for her job. Former Representative Jay Inslee, who resigned his position in the House in March to run for governor, supports same-sex marriage and was leading late Tuesday night. His competitor, Rob McKenna, the state attorney general and a Republican, is opposed.

By Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Inslee was ahead of Mr. McKenna with about half of precincts reporting.