Less than one month out from election day, the nation is deep in debates and politicians are campaigning for every vote. But the people won’t just be choosing their Commander in Chief this election—in many states, they will also be voting on cannabis. Some advocates are making the push to legalize the plant in a few final states, while others are hoping to reshape what the weed industry looks like in their hometown.
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Four states are voting on some form of legalization in November, including Florida, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. In Oregon, voters are considering a measure regarding unions, and one Colorado town is hoping to finally welcome recreational stores in city limits. Meanwhile, one Texas town hopes to decriminalize possession.
Get informed with this quick guide to cannabis elections to watch around the U.S.
Nebraska
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana collected enough signatures to bring two cannabis initiatives to a vote this year. The Patient Protection Act (Initiative 437) and The Regulation Act (Initiative 438) could effectively legalize the plant and begin the framework for business operations.
If 437 passes, healthcare practitioners could grant written recommendations to medical patients. Those prescriptions would then be legally allowed to carry up to five ounces of cannabis. Voter approval of 438 would enact a statute granting licensed businesses the right to possess, distribute, deliver, and dispense weed without penalty. It also establishes a Nebraska Medical Cannabis Coalition to regulate the space.
Florida
The race for legalization has been contentious in Florida as the Republican Governor and GOP Presidential nominee disagree on the preferred outcome. Florida Amendment 3 hopes to legalize the possession of three ounces or less for adults.
The public in-fighting has been deemed media-worthy, but the vote ultimately comes to the people. Since it is a constitutional amendment, it must receive 60 percent approval to pass. In 2017, Florida voters approved medical cannabis 71 percent, with 29 percent voting against indicating that a positive result may be possible. At the moment, polling shows that the vote could go either way.
South Dakota
Cannabis advocates are taking another shot at legalization after a similar measure failed to pass in 2022. South Dakota Measure 29 seeks to legalize the possession of two ounces of flower, 16 grams of concentrates, and 1600 milligrams (mg) in edible form. The measure also legalizes growing up to six plants in a private, locked space not visible to the public. Employers would not have to accommodate cannabis consumers and maintain the right to have company-wide rules against weed.
June polling showed that not much had changed with voters since 2022, with 52 percent of South Dakotans expected to vote against the measure. At that time, seven percent remained undecided.
North Dakota
Cannabis advocates in North Dakota, many of which are medical cannabis business owners, have gathered enough signatures to get weed on the ballot again this year. If approved, the measure would allow individuals to possess an ounce of weed, four grams of concentrates, and 300 mg of edible products. People could legally grow three plants per person and six per household.
Recent polling shows that 45 percent of voters are currently in favor of Measure 5, 40 percent are against it, and 15 remain undecided.
Oregon
Oregon legalized adult use in 2014, with sales starting the following summer. Since then, industry success has ebbed and flowed. Now, voters have a chance to weigh on how it operates.
Oregon Measure 119 would require cannabis business owners to submit labor peace agreements to the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) when applying for or renewing their licenses. This agreement serves as a promise to remain neutral in the event employees decide to unionize.
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Colorado Springs, Colo.
While those states enact change at a large scale, those in Colorado Springs are playing out their own mini-drama. The Rocky Mountain State legalized cannabis in 2012, but recreational dispensaries remain illegal within Colorado Springs city limits.
Advocates collected enough signatures to pose Ballot Question 300 to voters. This would effectively allow all medical dispensaries to turn over to recreational use and set a limit for the amount of stores that would be allowed.
The city council has spoken against the question and added Ballot Question 2D. This would amend the town charter to prohibit any adult-use dispensaries. It trumps Question 300 as the charter outweighs a ballot measure. Basically, if both pass, there would still be no recreational shops.
Voting on weed in 2024
Cannabis is legal in over 20 U.S. states, with more likely after the big election. There is no vote too small, with eyes fixed on big races like Florida Amendment 3 and small-time votes like the soap opera unraveling in Colorado Springs equally. Polling can provide insight, but at this point, only time will tell which way voters will swing on weed.
