Backers of Legal Marijuana Measure Turn in Ballot Signatures in Massachusetts

Supporters of legalized recreational marijuana in Massachusetts are taking a key step toward placing the measure before voters on the 2016 state ballot.

The group on Tuesday submitted petitions to the secretary of state's office ahead of a Wednesday deadline. Organizers say they collected several thousand more than the 64,750 certified voter signatures needed to advance the proposed ballot question.

The measure would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana. It would also create a 3.75 percent state excise tax on retail marijuana sales.

Also Tuesday, a coalition backing a constitutional amendment to allow millionaires to be taxed at a higher rate than other Massachusetts residents submitted more than 100,000 certified signatures to the secretary of state. The earliest that question could go before voters is 2018.