Four States to Vote on Marijuana Initiatives in November
While marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, 30 states have passed some kind of legislation allowing the use of marijuana (most of them medicinally only, but nine states have okayed the use of recreational as well).
As midterm elections approach, four more states are set to vote on marijuana initiatives in November.
Michigan: Residents will cast ballots on whether to legalize recreational marijuana. Michigan’s Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Proposal 1, would allow adults 21 years old and over to purchase and possess marijuana. Residents would be allowed to grow up to 12 marijuana plants. Municipalities would be allowed to ban or limit establishments within their boundaries.
North Dakota: This traditionally conservative state will also be voting on a recreational weed initiative this November. The Marijuana Legalization and Automatic Expungement Initiative, known as Measure 3, would legalize use and sale of adult-use marijuana. If Measure 3 passes, it would also expunge the records of those convicted of a marijuana drug violation. It would also treat marijuana offenses, such as trying to sell or distribute to an underage person, with the same penalty as if the individual were in possession of alcohol.
Utah: Another traditionally conservative state, Utah will be voting on a medical marijuana initiative. The Utah Medical Cannabis Act, also known as Proposition 2, supports the legalization of medical cannabis for patients with a qualifying illness. Qualifying patients would receive a medical card, which would then allow the patient to purchase either 2 ounces or unprocessed marijuana or up to 10 grams of THC or CBD within a two-week period.
Missouri: Missouri has three separate medical marijuana initiatives to be voted on in November. Missouri Amendment 2 would legalize state-licensed physicians to recommend medical cannabis to patients with qualifying conditions. Medical marijuana sales would carry a 4 percent tax rate, with proceeds being directed at providing healthcare services to veterans. Missouri Amendment 3 would legalize cannabis for medical purposes but would add a 15 percent tax on sales of the drug. These proceeds would help establish a Biomedical Research and Drug Development Institute that would work to find cures for cancer and other diseases. Lastly, Proposition C would allow medical marijuana to be prescribed by state-licensed physicians to patients with qualifying conditions. A low 2 percent tax would be added on to each sale, with revenue going toward veteran health care services, drug treatment, law enforcement and education.
How will citizens vote? Stay tuned to find out!
