Since the West Coat legalized cannabis there has been a steady increase in cannabis-related initiatives on voters ballots. This election cycle is shaping up to be no different. With five states voting on regulated cannabis use in some form, every vote counts. Of the state’s voting, four of them are voting for complete legalization and two are voting for medical. Arizona, Montana, and New Jersey are all voting to legalize recreational cannabis. Mississippi is voting to enact medical cannabis legislation. South Dakota is voting for recreational and medical cannabis.
Oregon has two key issues on the ballot as well. They are making attempt to decriminalize small amounts of drugs. The second ballot issue focuses on legalizing psilocybin for medical uses. Psilocybin is the key hallucinogenic ingredient in mushrooms and represents a huge shift in perception of the use of mushrooms in a medical environment.
Mississippi
Mississippi is attempting to regulate cannabis for medical use. Initiative 65 would provide access to medical cannabis for patients with approved conditions. There is a catch with this bill. Version 65A would restrict access to cannabis for patients that are terminally ill. Whereas initiative 65 would allow access to cannabis for patients with a variety of approved conditions.
Montana
Montana is another state with two different cannabis initiatives on the ballot. Both of their options on the ballot related to each other in this case. Issue I-90 would legalize cannabis for recreational use while CI-118 establishes the legal age to purchase as 21. The cannabis initiative in Montana would also expunge specific cannabis-related offenses.
South Dakota
Typically, states establish a medical market before they go for recreational cannabis. South Dakota is attempting to pass both options this year. Voters in South Dakota are voting on Measure 26, which would be used to establish a medical registration system for patients that qualify under the approved conditions. Amendment A is on the ballot which would legalize recreational cannabis and force legislators to establish laws for medical cannabis and hemp.
Arizona
After falling just under 70,000 votes short in 2016, Arizona will again vote on legalizing cannabis. Prop 207 would allow adults 21 or older to purchase and possess regulated cannabis. This proposition also includes the creation of a system to provide opportunities to purchase cannabis. The biggest difference between this year’s proposition and 2016’s is the record expungement. There is also larger financial support for the success of Prop 207 coming from large cannabis companies.
New Jersey
Public Question No. 1 is New Jersey’s attempt at legalization this year. After their current governor, Phil Murphy was elected he’s sticking to his campaign promise. This proposition would allow adults 21+ to legally use cannabis. Currently, the plan would be to have the same governing body that oversees New Jersey’s medical market also provides oversight to the recreational market. Because of New Jersey’s geographic location, this could cause a serious push for neighboring states to jump into their own legalization efforts.
Each election cycle we get closer to federal cannabis legalization. More pressure is applied to the federal government as more states make the decision to legalize it on their own. If you live in these states or know people in these states, make sure they know about the importance of voting on these ballot issues.
