Cannabis On The Ballot
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With the midterm elections coming up on November 7th, we will see some states put cannabis on the ballot. According to J.D. Tuccille from Reason cannabis legalization is “on the 2022 ballot in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota” and more will follow. Voters will most likely be the ones to determine whether or not recreational use of cannabis is legalized in these states. With 19 states passing legislation to legalize recreational use of cannabis for adults in the past 10 years, people are pushing this trend to go upwards. With hope that voters will vote to legalize cannabis in these states, it brings anticipation to underground cannabis sellers who have to resist the law in order to make money and sell to those who need it.
Now, let’s dive deeper into exactly what this means for each of the five states that will be putting cannabis on their ballots. Starting off with Arkansas, according to Responsible Growth Arkansas, 89,151 signatures are needed to get cannabis on the ballot, but over 190,000 supporters signed. If voters say “yes” to legalizing cannabis in Arkansas, anyone 21+ would be able to keep up to one ounce of cannabis. Further, medical cannabis dispensaries would be able to add adult-use to their stores on March 8, 2023. Next, let’s look at Maryland, according to Colleen Grablick from the DCist, if voters vote “yes,” as well as Arkansas, people in the state of Maryland who are 21+ will be able to purchase and own cannabis. Additionally, Maryland’s state legislators will be able to pass laws relating to cannabis.
Following in their footsteps, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Missouri’s cannabis laws if voted “yes” will allow people 21+ in those states to possess up to one ounce of cannabis. Though, in North Dakota, adults will be allowed a total of three ounces for personal use only. In all of these states, the numbers of signatures required for cannabis legalization to have a place on the midterm elections ballots were surpassed. It looks like more and more people are leaning towards voting for cannabis legalization bringing a new reality to many. A great amount of states seem to be jumping on the bandwagon to legalize and decriminalize cannabis for its residents.
Sources: Ballot Pedia, DCist, KCUR, NCIA, Reason, RGAR
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