Engage in Political Puffing: All States Debating Legal Marijuana Use Today
People are hurrying to cast their votes in various parts of the country today, selecting between Donald Trump, the hardliner who advocates for negative actions, and Kamala Harris, the moderate Democrat who advocates for positive changes. The presidency isn't the only concern, as voters will also decide on local races and issues, covering a wide range of topics, from abortion rights to property taxes. Furthermore, voters in four states will decide on the destiny of cannabis legalization, and one extra state will consider legalizing psychedelics.
Recreational cannabis is legal in 24 states, with 38 states permitting medical use, showcasing a significant transformation since 20 years ago. Colorado and Washington initiated this shift by legalizing marijuana in 2012, and subsequent states have followed suit, despite federal illegality.
If elected, Harris has promised to legalize cannabis on a federal level. Conversely, Trump has vowed to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the head of health affairs at the FDA and USDA, a move that may remind you of his earlier intentions to ban junk food like Doritos. It seems like an obvious choice for cannabis enthusiasts in America.
Florida
Floridians have the opportunity to approve Amendment 3, which would legalize cannabis for recreational use for individuals who are 21 years old or above. The amendment permits possession of up to three ounces of cannabis or five ounces of cannabis concentrate. The requirement for approval is 60% of the vote, and recent polling indicates that support is high, at 60%, while opposition stands at 34%, and 6% remain undecided.
Governor DeSantis, a well-known supporter of Trump, opposes Amendment 3 and has expended considerable energy campaigning against legalization. In Orlando and Miami, DeSantis recently campaigned, using a variety of arguments to sway the population, appealing to their fears.
"If you're not 100% convinced that this is a good idea, then you gotta vote no," DeSantis said, according to WFLA.
DeSantis also falsely claimed that this measure would benefit only established businesses and would prohibit homegrown cannabis.
"They do not give you the right to grow your own marijuana on your own property," DeSantis said. "That’s by design because they’re trying to funnel business transactions to them."
His argument appears questionable considering his reputation as a pro-business supporter. However, it's not really about homegrown weed or anything else reasonable. DeSantis and similar individuals fight against recreational weed legalization because the war on drugs is primarily a war on the poor and racial minorities, notes the WFLA.
Massachusetts
Both recreational and medical cannabis are legal in Massachusetts, but the state could become the third in the country to legalize some psychedelic substances, following Oregon and Colorado. Known as Question 4, this ballot measure would permit the sale of psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms from licensed vendors.
Five drugs, including dimethyltryptamine (DMT), mescaline, ibogaine, psilocybin, and psilocybin, could become legal in therapy centers for individuals aged 21 and above. Retail shops would still be prohibited, but the bill would also decriminalize possession of these five drugs for personal use.
Recent polls show that Massachusetts voters are evenly divided on Question 4, with 43% opposed and 43% in support, according to a recent poll conducted by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and WCVB. The undecided made up 14% of the responses.
Tatishe Nteta, the director of the poll, stated that this measure enjoys majoritarian support among a specific demographic and political groups, including young people, Democrats, liberals, and Biden voters. However, older voters, independents, Republicans, and parents remain opposed, which could impact the outcome.
Nebraska
Nebraskans will vote on two marijuana-related measures today: Ballot Initiative 437 would legalize medical marijuana and allow health professionals to recommend it to patients, along with permitting possession and use for residents. Ballot Initiative 438 would establish a Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to manage the sale and distribution of marijuana.
How does it look in Nebraska? Recent polling from Midwest Newsroom Emerson College indicates that 59% plan to vote yes, while 33% will vote no, and 8% are undecided. Nebraska Public Media reported this information.
A legal challenge has threatened to invalidate all ballot votes, arguing that fraud occurred during the signature collection to authorize marijuana measures to appear on the ballot. However, a judge recently ruled that the votes would be counted. A final decision on the case is not expected for approximately two weeks, which means even if the initiatives pass, they may still be invalidated later on. In the meantime, however, people can share their opinions on this matter.
The most recent survey by 538 for Nebraska shows Trump having a lead of 16.4 points over Harris.
North Dakota
As one of the country's most conservative political states, it's no shock that recreational marijuana hasn't been legalized yet, despite medical use being legal since 2016. Attempts to change this through ballot measures in 2018 and 2022 failed, but advocates are giving it another go this year.
North Dakota's Initiated Measure 5 is up for a vote and proposes legalizing recreational use and possession for adults aged 21 and above. If successful, adults would be permitted to carry up to an ounce of cannabis, 4 grams of concentrate, and 1,500 milligrams of edibles.
How will this proposal fare this time around? The latest polling suggests 45% support legalization, 40% are against it, and 15% are undecided, according to the North Dakota Monitor. The measure is being backed by New Economic Frontier, which argues that legalization is beneficial for business and tax revenue growth. However, it faces strong opposition from conservative organizations such as the North Dakota Medical and Hospital Associations, North Dakota Peace Officers, Chiefs of Police Association of North Dakota, and the North Dakota Sheriffs and Deputies Associations.
FiveThirtyEight hasn't published a polling average for North Dakota, but a recent poll they've tracked shows Trump leading by 27 points over Harris.
South Dakota
South Dakota's Initiated Measure 29 will be decided by voters on Tuesday, which would allow adult consumption of recreational weed, although the sale of weed remains illegal, and there is a special exemption allowing employers to ban consumption by their employees. Medical cannabis is currently legal in the state.
Unfortunately, the latest polling does not bode well for those hoping to see recreational marijuana legalized in South Dakota. A disheartening 50% of voters are against the measure, while 45% support it, according to a poll by Emerson College Polling/KELO-TV/The Hill.
FiveThirtyEight hasn't compiled a polling average for South Dakota either, but a poll they've tracked shows Trump ahead by 28 points over Harris.
It's unknown what will happen on Tuesday, both for the presidency and these marijuana legalization initiatives. If all four states considering marijuana legalization today vote in favor, there will be only 8 states where marijuana remains completely illegal. And if any one of these four states legalizes, it would bring the number of states with recreational use to half of the country, with 25 states.
If you haven't voted yet today, regardless of your location in the U.S., make sure you cast your ballot. This is a significant vote, to put it mildly.
The tech industry is eagerly anticipating potential changes in regulations if Kamala Harris becomes the next president, as she has promised to decriminalize cannabis on a federal level. In the future, advanced technologies might be utilized to create safer and more efficient methods of cannabis consumption.
As the future of marijuana legalization in various states hangs in the balance, tech companies are also looking towards the potential opportunities in the burgeoning cannabis market. For instance, cannabis delivery services can be improved using drone technology, ensuring faster and more secure delivery, and virtual reality could offer customers immersive experiences when purchasing marijuana strains.
