The Green Thread: Marijuana in the states

[Obama-Biden Democrat]

Rhode Island is likely next - https://www.marijuanamoment.net/rhode-island-marijuana-legalization-bill-will-be-ready-in-early-2022-top-lawmaker-says/

NH is supposed to be the 'Live free or die' state, but it is going to be the last state in New England without legal marijuana after RI legalizes it.

[politicallefty]

Ohio takes a step forward with its marijuana legalization initiative:

Ohio lawmakers will consider a proposal to legalize marijuana in the coming months after advocates gathered enough voter signatures in support of the effort.

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted 136,729 valid signatures as part of the state's initiated statute process, according to the secretary of state's office. That's nearly 4,000 over the required number. The measure will now be sent to the Ohio House and Senate, which have four months to act on the proposed law.

[...]

The proposal would allow Ohioans age 21 and older to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of concentrates. They could also grow up to six plants individually and no more than 12 in a household with multiple adults.

Products would be taxed at 10%, with revenue going toward administrative costs, addiction treatment programs, municipalities with dispensaries and a social equity and jobs program.

[...]

If lawmakers don't pass the bill or pass an amended version, supporters can collect another 132,887 valid signatures to put their measure on the ballot. The process differs from the 2015 legalization effort, when voters rejected a constitutional amendment pushed by ResponsibleOhio that would have paved the way for adult marijuana use.

This seems likely to go before voters in November. I have a hard time seeing a proposal like this failing in reddish-purple state like Ohio. It would the be the fourth largest state to legalize marijuana if it passes.

[politicallefty]

An update on the Ohio effort:

Last month, state officials determined organizers gathered enough signatures (about 133,000) to compel the Legislature to consider a recreational marijuana bill they proposed. If lawmakers don’t pass it in the next roughly 3.5 months, organizers with the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol can gather the same number of signatures again to place the issue on the general election ballot.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, [Senate President Matt] Huffman, a Lima Republican and one of the most powerful figures in state politics, emphasized that no road to recreational marijuana will run through him.

“I don’t want anybody to misunderstand my position,” Huffman said, per The Columbus Dispatch. “I’m not going to bring it to the Senate floor. And if that means people want to go put it on the ballot, have at it.”

The House Majority Leader has said to media he doubts a recreational bill could pass, and Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has indicated he’d veto it if it did. The threat of veto, paired with opposition from legislative leadership, poses a towering roadblock for the bill through the Statehouse.

It will have to go to the people if it's going to become law. From what I've read, it seems like the petitioners have their work cut out for them. They'll have about five weeks starting at the end of May to get the necessary signatures.

[hurricanehink]

If Maryland and Delaware pass, then there’ll be pressure on PA, since it’ll be surrounded to the south, east, and north by states that have recreational sales. Although that hasn’t stopped RI or NH.

[icemanj]

If Maryland and Delaware pass, then there’ll be pressure on PA, since it’ll be surrounded to the south, east, and north by states that have recreational sales. Although that hasn’t stopped RI or NH.

True, however by this logic, there should be pressure on Idaho, Wyoming and Utah.

RI will probably legalize soon.
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/rhode-island-lawmakers-unveil-marijuana-legalization-bill-after-months-of-negotiations/

[hurricanehink]

If Maryland and Delaware pass, then there’ll be pressure on PA, since it’ll be surrounded to the south, east, and north by states that have recreational sales. Although that hasn’t stopped RI or NH.

True, however by this logic, there should be pressure on Idaho, Wyoming and Utah.

Idaho rejected a constitutional amendment to ban cannabis last year - https://apnews.com/article/legislature-constitutions-legislation-marijuana-boise-30e825b92b0e4b667a431fa54c7da2a7 - and there is a group trying to get it on the ballot this November.

The Wyoming House Speaker supported bipartisan legislation to decriminalize just two weeks ago - https://www.marijuanamoment.net/wyoming-house-speaker-backs-new-bill-to-decriminalize-marijuana/

And Utah has medical. These states are much more conservative than Pennsylvania, and most other places that have recreational, so it’ll take some time, but I’m optimistic. States can only go so long letting residents drive over their border to create tax revenue in another states.

[Panhandle Progressive]

Maryland appears likely to be the next state to approve recreational.

https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-maryland-voters-recreational-marijuana-20220401-4gonjdq6orc47cyzadgfb3ctlm-story.html

[hurricanehink]

The House passed legalizing marijuana 220-204. However, it looks stalled in the Senate due to the bill not addressing criminal justice aspects.

[Mopsus]

Maryland appears likely to be the next state to approve recreational.

https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-maryland-voters-recreational-marijuana-20220401-4gonjdq6orc47cyzadgfb3ctlm-story.html

Hopefully this encourages Pennsylvania and Delaware to follow suit. One has to assume that as more states legalize it, their neighbors will see that it does not increase social harm, and that they’re leaving a lot of tax revenue on the table by forcing their residents to drive to neighboring states to buy.

[Lourdes]

https://www.wdel.com/news/long-overdue-delaware-senate-passes-marijuana-legalization-sending-it-carneys-desk/article_03e11efa-d228-11ec-934c-db46c528cfef.html

Delaware Senate passes marijuana legalization, sending it Carney's desk

The governor could still veto it, though.

[JM1295]

https://www.wdel.com/news/long-overdue-delaware-senate-passes-marijuana-legalization-sending-it-carneys-desk/article_03e11efa-d228-11ec-934c-db46c528cfef.html

Delaware Senate passes marijuana legalization, sending it Carney's desk

The governor could still veto it, though.

Looks like he is planning on using his veto

https://twitter.com/MereNewman/status/1529129924396781569?t=Mm7zTDLMgDa3PovUKkwY...

[Lourdes]

Meanwhile, Rhode Island's legislature has just taken the final steps towards legalization:

https://twitter.com/StephMachado/status/1529224070683930625

[Interlocutor is just not there yet]

South Dakota to vote on cannabis legalization (again) this November

https://twitter.com/tomangell/status/1529559639112687617?cxt=HHwWgoCxgemYi7oqAAA...

[Mopsus]

South Dakota to vote on cannabis legalization (again) this November

https://twitter.com/tomangell/status/1529559639112687617?cxt=HHwWgoCxgemYi7oqAAA...

Are activists confident that this referendum, if it passes, won’t also get overturned?

[hurricanehink]

Meanwhile, Rhode Island's legislature has just taken the final steps towards legalization:

https://twitter.com/StephMachado/status/1529224070683930625

And today, Rhode Island became the 19th state to legalize cannabis!

[Continential]

https://mobile.twitter.com/NaomiKritzer/status/1542658121742557185
lol

[MasterJedi]

https://mobile.twitter.com/NaomiKritzer/status/1542658121742557185
lol

Maybe the Republicans should resign when they admit they didn't read what they approved?

[Interlocutor is just not there yet]

Missouri will be the fifth state to vote on legalization this November; along with North Dakota, South Dakota, Maryland & Oklahoma.

https://twitter.com/stltoday/status/1557106193038036992?cxt=HHwWgMC-maX1-ZsrAAAA

[ProgressiveModerate]

Missouri will be the fifth state to vote on legalization this November; along with North Dakota, South Dakota, Maryland & Oklahoma.

https://twitter.com/stltoday/status/1557106193038036992?cxt=HHwWgMC-maX1-ZsrAAAA

Honestly I think this prolly passes. It seems to be an issue that tends to do universally well with Dems and a lot of rural populists GOP counties.

[Badger]

South Dakota to vote on cannabis legalization (again) this November

https://twitter.com/tomangell/status/1529559639112687617?cxt=HHwWgoCxgemYi7oqAAA...

Are activists confident that this referendum, if it passes, won’t also get overturned?

The reason the last referendum was overturned was because of some extreme and arguably politicized ruling that the measure violated a one issue provision for South Dakota referendum. The state supreme court specifically held that because the measure both legalized marijuana and created a system/regulations for its sale/use, this was somehow two separate issues that should have been handled in two separate referendum. Utterly ridiculous of course, but presumably the drafters of this referendum have addressed it.

[Badger]

Missouri will be the fifth state to vote on legalization this November; along with North Dakota, South Dakota, Maryland & Oklahoma.

https://twitter.com/stltoday/status/1557106193038036992?cxt=HHwWgMC-maX1-ZsrAAAA

I wonder how these will fare? South Dakota is unlikely to turn down a referendum it past just 2 years ago. North Dakota is not exactly its political twin so I could see it being a close fight there. Maryland is surely a lock for passage. I would bet Missouri will pass, but I'm skeptical Oklahoma would

[Interlocutor is just not there yet]

I should also bring up that Arkansas may or may not be voting on legalization this November.

Although enough signatures were certified, the state Election Board withdrew it due to misleading ballot title/language. A lawsuit looks to be taking place, but there may not be enough time to settle it before ballots are printed.

https://norml.org/blog/2022/08/03/arkansas-election-officials-deny-certification-of-proposed-marijuana-legalization-amendment/

[Interlocutor is just not there yet]

So it looks like Arkansas will be the sixth state to vote on legalization this November. Albeit with a caveat.

The measure will appear on the ballot as already written. However, enactment will be decided by the result of the lawsuit mentioned above. If they rule against the pro-legalization side, the result will be non-binding.

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/arkansas-supreme-court-orders-state-to-put-marijuana-legalization-initiative-on-ballot-but-votes-may-not-be-counted/

[NOVA Green]

So "budsters" and "sinsters", maybe time to upgrade the map?

Bit goofy, but believe the last map I posted on this thread was way back in 2019.



This was on a post that same day where I explained the legend, while naturally "discussing with maps"

https://talkelections.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=258526.msg7066944#msg7066944

[Interlocutor is just not there yet]

So it looks like the ballot measure in Oklahoma may also be up in the air.

From my understanding, this is what seems to be the problem;

- Earlier today (August 22), the signature count was completed and the measure received the required number of signatures
- It now goes to Oklahoma Supreme Court who have to confirm the count and open a 10-day window for public input
- However, August 29 is the deadline for the State Elections Board to officially certify measures & to start printing ballots

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/marijuana/recreational-marijuana-petition-secures-enough-signatures-to-get-on-a-ballot-but-november-election-not/article_099dd36c-2249-11ed-ac8e-e3f48bfc2443.html