The Green Thread: Marijuana in the states

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And Scott vetoes it.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/24/news/vermont-marijuana-legalization/index.html

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https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/north-dakota/articles/2018-08-13/north-dakota-recreational-pot-measure-approved-for-ballot

Voters in North Dakota will vote this November whether to legalize recreational marijuana, alongside Michigan. Utah is also voting this November for medical marijuana, possibly joined by Missouri.

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https://hightimes.com/news/cannabis-activists-in-arizona-and-nebraska-set-to-file-legalization-petitions/

It looks like Arizona will be voting again this fall for full legalization, joining New Jersey and Montana.  Also, Nebraska might vote for medical legalization, depending if they get enough signatures.

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Virginia recently decriminalized cannabis. Now, it appears there may be a push to attempt full legalization as early as next month (during an assembly special session). If it doesn't get passed during the special session, it appears likely to be pushed during the next session, early next year.

https://wtop.com/virginia/2020/07/va-lawmaker-looks-to-legalize-marijuana-in-special-session/

Virginia, Maryland,  Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island should all just legalize in the same year so their dispensaries all around the same time, instead of staggering by a few years,  which would likely create a huge amount of people crossing state lines to buy.

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The NJ amendment looks pretty tough to beat.

https://stockton.edu/hughes-center/polling/documents/2020-1016-stockton-poll-biden-booker-lead-trump-stronger-in-sj.pdf

October 7-13
721 likely voters
MoE: 3.7%

Favour 66%
Oppose 23%
Undecided/not sure 10%

Unfortunate, I expected better from my state, oh well...

Don’t get too down yet. With 10% undecided, NJ could vote 75% in favor, which I’d be extremely proud of, and could hopefully accelerate legalization efforts across the country.

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I suspect most east coast liberal states will legalize within the next two years, given NJ’s upcoming market. PA and FL would be smart to have it on the ballot in 2022 to maximize youth turnout in the midterms. In fact, can we get someone of these Dem 420 celebs to fund ballot drives in potential 2022 swing states?

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https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/04/business/cannabis-more-act-house-vote/index.html -  The house just voted to decriminalize marijuana.  Given how 2020 has been, I don’t have high hopes for it in the Senate. However, there are seven GOP senators from states where it is legal. Any senators interested in running in 2024 might vote strategically for it. So IDK.

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I don't have a personal stake in marijuana legalisation (beyond a desire to see incarcerations for frivolous offences decline), but I'm interested in where the legalisation movement goes next.

As far as legislature-based action, there are six Dem trifecta states which have not legalised recreational marijuana:
- New York
- New Mexico
- Delaware
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- Virginia

Is there any chance these states move forward with legislation in the 2021-22 session? Or will legislators (and Governors up for re-election in 2022) still view it as a damaging move for their re-election chances?

Or will it just be down to ballot measures again? I know that the scope for further ballot measures is getting smaller, given that many of those states with decent ballot measure laws have already held referenda on the subject.

I appreciate this is far from the priority right now, (given the ongoing health situation) but I was just interested if there has been any further talk. European data law prevents me reading most US newsmedia beyond the NYT and WaPo, so I'm starved of any regional news at the minute.

I think NY and NM are the most likely possibilities this year, although I've heard the Governors/House speakers in all of the above states say it's a priority.

Here's a good article summarizing them: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/these-states-are-the-most-likely-to-legalize-marijuana-in-2021/

Thanks, that was an interesting read - maybe a little optimistic in places, but a really nice breakdown of the current landscape, and the current word from state officials on the matter.

NY and NM definitely make a lot of sense as the next two states to move ahead. Politically, a lot of State Reps/Senators in those states are likely to be bolstered, rather than hurt by action on legalisation, and their governors both seem keen to be able to run on their legalisation efforts in '22.

Also, both make a lot of sense geographically. Given the way things are moving out west, it feels like an inevitability in NM now, giving their increasingly being boxed in by states like AZ and CO that have legalised. And in NY, enforcement will presumably get much harder now, given legalisation in NJ and much of New England. On a similar note, once NY legalises recreational use, I imagine it will force the hand of CT and RI.

CT Gov Lamont wants legalization, and the new State House Speaker estimates that the chance of passage in 2021 are 50-50; if it doesn't pass, then it would be on the ballot in 2022. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/connecticut-governor-renews-pledge-to-pursue-marijuana-legalization-in-2021-state-of-the-state-speech/

Rhode Island probably won't be this year. If Raimondo gets confirmed to be Secretary of Commerce, her Lt. Governor McKee is against legalization. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/bidens-commerce-secretary-pick-wants-marijuana-sold-in-government-run-stores/

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https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/27/virginia-le

Virginia is state #16 to legalize! Sales are due to start in 2024.

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https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/25/us/new-york-recreational-marijuana-deal-trnd/index.html New York could be next! Lawmakers have reached a deal for legalization. It was even on the cover of the NY daily news today.

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I smoked at 4:20 to celebrate.

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I wonder if we’ll have any other states legalizing this year. Rhode Island, Delaware, and Hawaii all have a democratic trifecta, and so might be more likely than either with a Republican governor or legislature.

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Basically it’s only a matter of time with New Hampshire, Hawaii, Delaware, and Maryland. Are there any more purple states that have referendums? Or are we going to have wait 10 or 15 years for big urban southern states?

I think Kentucky and West Virginia could get it before the big southern states. Poor states where pot can grow easily would be a huge cash cow that might be tough to resist. Andy Beshear is up in 2023… he could run promising marijuana legalization. Jim Justice used to be a Democrat, And it’s still a billionaire. The marijuana industry is a multibillion dollar industry, which could be huge for the state with the second-lowest GDP per capita. Justice can’t run in 2024, but he could run in 2028, when he would be 77. Not unheard of, but I think more than likely Justice retires from public in 2024, and what a better way of extending his legacy and prosperity as more than just being a billionaire.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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!

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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.

Almost a certain pass. Missouri has a long history of very liberal laws about "vices" - alcohol, casinos, and so on. This fits into that nicely.

https://www.ky3.com/2022/09/20/poll-results-how-missourians-feel-about-legalization-marijuana/?outputType=amp

A poll from September 19th had it at 62% approval in Missouri.

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https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/08/florida-supreme-court-appears-favorable-to-pot-legalization-initiative-00126081

During the hourlong arguments, the justices pointedly questioned attorneys representing Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who claims the language of the initiative fails to explain that marijuana is still prohibited under federal law.

Justice Charles G. Canady said the proposal was clear.

“Where’s the hidden ball?” Canady said, later adding, “I’m baffled by the argument. Maybe it’s just me.”

Five of the state’s seven Supreme Court justices were appointed by DeSantis, including Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz, who also said the ballot language did not misled voters.

Chief Deputy Solicitor General Jeffrey Paul DeSousa argued during Wednesday’s hearing that the amendment also deceived voters by saying it will create new licenses to sell and produce pot for recreational use — on top of allowing what the state calls medical marijuana treatment centers to start selling products to anyone age 21 and over.

Muñiz disagreed, saying the proposed amendment explains to voters that the creation of additional licenses would be left up to the Legislature.

Still not entirely convinced this would pass. Aside from Maryland, I don't think any other marijuana legalization initiative has ever gotten more than 60%, and that is what it would take in Florida.

IDK, Florida is a weird mix, but I could totally see a large crossover support from Republicans and democrats, young and old alike. I say that based on my parents, aunts, and cousins who would likely support it (including some proud Trumpers). It would likely do poorly among the elderly, but who knows - maybe all that partying in the Villages has spread some interest in more drugs than just Viagra.