The Green Thread: Marijuana in the states

[icemanj]

Legalization bills have passed committees in New Mexico and New Hampshire.

[icemanj]

Montana and Nebraska are resuming signature gathering. I have no idea how feasible either of them are at this point.

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/nebraska-and-montana-marijuana-activists-resume-ballot-signature-gathering-amid-coronavirus/

[icemanj]

Signatures submitted in Montana - https://www.marijuanamoment.net/montana-activists-submit-130000-signatures-for-marijuana-legalization-initiatives-despite-coronavirus-setbacks/

[icemanj]

If it makes it on the ballot I bet it passes. A recent poll showed 54-37 in favor, and Medical was voted on back in 2004 and it passed with almost 62%.

[icemanj]

I wonder what the last state to legalize it will be. Idaho?

I bet it will be a very conservative state without voter-initiated referendums, like Tennessee, Alabama, or Indiana

[icemanj]

It's probably the most boring of the 4 states, but I'd be curious in a poll on South Dakota's ballot measure.

I'm most unsure how that state will vote on it

https://norml.org/blog/2020/09/21/south-dakota-opposition-groups-polling-shows-voter-support-for-marijuana-legalization-initiatives/

Medical: 70% support
Recreational: 60% support

according to opposition group's poll, so not sure what to make of that.

[icemanj]

The legalization map is getting crazy. Utah is now 3/4 surrounded by legal recreational states. Idaho, where CBD is still illegal, borders 4 legal states. Wyoming borders 3 legal states. New Hampshire is completely surrounded by legal states.

[icemanj]

The legalization map is getting crazy. Utah is now 3/4 surrounded by legal recreational states. Idaho, where CBD is still illegal, borders 4 legal states. Wyoming borders 3 legal states. New Hampshire is completely surrounded by legal states.

They won't legalize for awhile, they'll bitch to the Feds instead because of "all the pot coming through".

Oh, I know. Not saying they will.

[icemanj]

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/

[icemanj]

Virginia may actually beat NM and NY to the punch.

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/virginia-marijuana-legalization-bills-cleared-for-full-senate-and-house-votes-this-week/

[icemanj]

It won't go into effect until 2023/2024.

Where does it say that?

[icemanj]

*Insert pun about the Wild Weed West*

It's legal in Nebraska's Second Congressional District?!

[icemanj]

I bet Missouri, Ohio, North Dakota, and possibly Maryland will have referendums in 2022.

[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/

[icemanj]

Kentucky will be the next state to legalize medical.

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/kentucky-medical-marijuana-legalization-bill-is-one-step-from-governors-desk-with-final-vote-imminent/

It also looks like Minnesota is on the way to legalizing recreational this year.