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The proposal to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use was on its way to victory early Wednesday morning, making Michigan the first state in the Midwest to approve legal weed.

With 71% of the vote counted, the measure had a comfortable double-digit margin statewide, reports the Detroit Free Press .

"Legalization of marijuana will end the unnecessary waste of law enforcement resources used to enforce the failed policy of prohibition while generating hundreds of millions of dollars each year for Michigan's most important needs," said Josh Hovey, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which spearheaded the legalization campaign.

Michigan will become the 10th state in the nation and the first in the Midwest to legalize marijuana for recreational use, joining California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine and Washington, D.C. A total of 30 states, including Michigan, have legalized marijuana for medical use. In Nebraska, voters rejected a marijuana legalization proposal. While North Dakota voters said no to legal pot, Utah and Missouri voters approved legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. And Canada legalized marijuana for adults on Oct. 17.

If it passes, Michigan's proposal will not take effect until 10 days after the election is certified by the state Board of Canvassers, which should happen by early December.