Four states could legalize recreational marijuana on Election Day.
What We Know:
- Voters in Arizona, South Dakota, Montana, and New Jersey will decide on ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana. Mississippi also has proposals on the ballot to legalize medical marijuana.
- 11 states have already legalized full recreational marijuana use for adults. Several more states were in the process of getting marijuana proposals on the ballot but failed to gather enough signatures during the pandemic.
- In Arizona, Proposition 207 would allow recreational marijuana usage for adults 21 and older and creates a pathway to expunge prior convictions from criminal records. A similar ballot measure failed in 2016 by a small margin, but polling this time around has been supportive.
- South Dakota has two proposals on their ballot: Measure 26 establishes a medical cannabis program and registration system and Amendment A legalizes recreational cannabis for adults. South Dakota could be the first state to “leapfrog” and approve medical and recreational use in the same election. Republican Governor Kristi Noem is staunchly against both ballot measures.
- Montana also has two proposals on the ballot. Initiative 190 legalizes recreational marijuana usage, imposes a 20% tax, and allows people serving a sentence for cannabis-related crimes to apply for resentencing or records expungement. Initiative 118 sets the legal age at 21 for cannabis usage and possession. Recent polling shows about 49% support for the initiatives.
- Public Question No. 1 in New Jersey would amend the state’s constitution to legalize cannabis for personal use. It is polling well in the state, but organizers are facing challenges with mail-in voting and COVID-19. It is being reported that voters have trouble finding the question on the ballot itself.
Advocates for recreational usage hope victories this election will send a message to Congress that marijuana legalization needs to be addressed at the federal level.
