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Same-Sex Marriage and Capital Punishment

Two items making the news today

by
Adam Chandler
May 02, 2013
(MySanAntonio)
(MySanAntonio)

Today, two legislative acts of note are taking place that will shape state-by-state numbers on a few significant social issues. In Rhode Island, following a procedural vote, Governor Lincoln Chafee will sign a bill that will make the Ocean State the 10th state (along with the District of Columbia) to allow same-sex marriage.

Those states are: Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Washington.

Also, earlier today in Maryland, Governor Martin O’Malley signed a bill abolishing the death penalty making it the 18th state (along with the District of Columbia) to forbid state executions.

The other states are: Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Lists are fun on their own, so for good measure, here are all the states (along with the District of Columbia) that have medicinal marijuana programs: California, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Maine, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Montana, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Vermont, Michigan, Arizona, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

And last for some variety (and to leave the District of Columbia/New England out of something), here are the ten states that can boast Whataburger franchises: Florida, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

You’re welcome.

Adam Chandler was previously a staff writer at Tablet. His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, Slate, Esquire, New York, and elsewhere. He tweets @allmychandler.