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Cannabis Legalization in the Midterms: The Good News and the Bad News

Cannabis Legalization in the Midterms: The Good News and the Bad News

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As voters went to the polls across America to participate in the mid-term elections, to some degree, the culture war was right there on the ballot. In addition to hot-topic issues such as a woman’s right to choose and election integrity, the recreational legalization of cannabis was on several ballots. Polls reveal that Americans’ support for cannabis legalization is at an all-time high. But, one might wonder, do party politics still hold some sway over the outcome of cannabis-related ballot measures? Well, the results appear to be mixed. All five states that had cannabis measures on the ballot in the midterms also have a Republican governor.

In Arkansas, voters had a constitutional amendment to consider that would have legalized the possession of cannabis as well as recreational use by adults. The measure also would have allowed the sale of up to an ounce of cannabis products from licensed retail outlets. Tax revenues from weed sales would have padded the funding for law enforcement and the law would have sllowed existing medical cannabis facilities to sell to the general public.

That measure did not pass in the heavily Republican state.

Voters in Maryland also had an opportunity to consider a constitutional amendment to allow the recreational sale of cannabis to citizens 21 and over and legalize possession of one and a half ounces or up to two plants.

That measure passed by a significant margin.

Now Marylanders with previous cannabis possession convictions or convictions for intent to distribute will qualify for their records to be expunged.

In Missouri, voters approved a law allowing the use of cannabis for those 21 and over, letting them possess as many as three ounces of stash. In addition, those with cannabis-related convictions may qualify for release from prison, parole, or probation and have their records expunged.

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In South Dakota, voters had an opportunity to legalize recreational use and allow possession of up to an ounce. If the law had passed, it would have also legalized the possession, use, and sale of weed paraphernalia. That measure failed. Cannabis had been legalized in the state in 2020 by ballot measure but that effort was shot down by the courts.

The outcome in North Dakota was as dismal. That law, if it had been passed, would have legalized cannabis for adults and allowed up to three plants.

As mixed as this outcome might be, cannabis legalization continues to march forward. We are that much closer to reaching critical mass to end the critical mess of federal cannabis prohibition. This might be a great time to fire up a fat liberty torch of cannabis flower and celebrate the fruits of cannabis activists in those states that passed and honor the hard work of those who failed to see their efforts pan out.

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