Election ballots will look substantially greener this year. Coming November, voters in several U.S. states will decide their stance on cannabis legalization 2022. Is Missouri recreational cannabis a possibility? What’s new with Nebraska marijuana? Is there a new cannabis bill in your state?
Here, Elevate Holistics will answer the question: “What states will have marijuana on the November ballot?” In addition, we’ll look at states voting to decriminalize cannabis, fighting for medical marijuana, and those working towards marijuana legalization.
What states might be going recreational with their cannabis laws this year? Let’s find out!
States With Cannabis Legalization 2022 on the Ballot
So what states could see 2022 marijuana legalization? Currently, several U.S. states will have recreational cannabis on their November 2022 ballots. As November nears and state officials finalize decisions, additional states could join this list.
More on what state’s have cannabis legislation in progress below.
Arkansas
Arkansas lawmakers required 89,151 valid signatures to get adult-use cannabis on this year’s ballot. Responsible Growth Arkansas submitted more than 190,000 signatures to the secretary of state’s office last month – doubling the required amount.
However, the Board of Election Commissioners rejected the popular name and ballot title on August 3 due to misleading language. Then on August 4, Responsible Growth Arkansas filed a lawsuit challenging that decision and asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to overturn it.
Justices have ruled that the Arkansas recreational cannabis proposal must appear on the election ballot. But here’s the catch: the state might not count the votes if the AR Supreme Court decides that the measure’s language is misleading.
Arkansas legalized medical marijuana in 2016, which means an AR medical marijuana card is required to purchase cannabis in the state. The latest AR cannabis bill for cannabis legalization 2022 would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to one ounce of adult-use cannabis.
Maryland
Maryland lawmakers will be placing a constitutional amendment to legalize adult-use cannabis on the 2022 ballot. Question 4 on the 2022 Maryland election ballot will ask:
“Do you favor the legalization of the use of cannabis by an individual who is at least 21 years of age on or after July 1, 2023, in the State of Maryland?”
The MD cannabis bill would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis. It would also automatically expunge past cannabis convictions made legal under the new law. Lawmakers also approved a second complementary measure, HB 837, that would provide details regarding what the constitutional amendment will entail if passed.
Maryland legalized medical marijuana in 2012 and has had an MMJ program in place since 2014. For now, the state requires a Maryland medical marijuana card to legally purchase, possess, and consume cannabis in the state.
North Dakota
In 2016, North Dakota voters legalized medical marijuana. Now, recreational cannabis legalization 2022 is a reality for the state.
Secretary of State Al Jaeger certified that North Dakota residents will vote on marijuana legalization in November. New Approach ND submitted 23,368 valid signatures, 10,000 more than the required amount to reach the ballot.
The measure – Measure 1 on the ballot – would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to an ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to three plants for personal use.
South Dakota
In 2020, South Dakota residents voted to legalize cannabis, but the court invalidated the initiative due to it violating the state Constitution’s single-subject rule. This year, for the second consecutive election, adult-use cannabis will be on the ballot for SD voters.
To avoid invalidation this year, the initiative led by South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws (SDBML) is allowing the legislature to make decisions regarding cannabis taxes and regulations.
The measure would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to an ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to three plants for personal use.
What States Have Cannabis Legislation in Progress?
While a few states will have cannabis legalization 2022 on their ballots, plenty of other states have cannabis legislation 2022 in progress. These states will likely not see 2022 marijuana legalization, but they are working towards cannabis policy reform.
What’s New With Missouri Recreational Cannabis?
After Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft ruled that a petition to get Missouri recreational cannabis would go before voters in November, it’s now uncertain that the measure will make it to the ballot.
The state announced that the Legal Missouri 2022 petition had garnered enough signatures to make it to the ballot, but now a lawsuit claims that it did not collect sufficient signatures in required congressional districts.
The lawsuit, filed by a staff member of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, claims that the petition:
- Did not collect enough valid signatures in one of the congressional districts needed to secure ballot placement
- Doesn’t follow the Constitution’s single-subject rule for ballot measures
Other cannabis supporters in the state, such as Rep. Ron Hicks who sponsored a Missouri cannabis bill that previously failed, also oppose the petition. Hicks says he has issues with the measure “monopolizing the industry,” limiting the number of licenses issued to sell marijuana, possession limits, and more.
Still, Missouri health officials are preparing for Missouri recreational cannabis. So, will Missouri see 2022 marijuana legalization? Only time will tell if the lawsuit is enough to block the cannabis bill from the November ballot.
For now, Missouri medical marijuana is the only legal way to access cannabis in the state.
Nebraska Marijuana Update
While other states seek recreational cannabis legalization, Nebraska still fights for medical marijuana.
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) submitted signatures supporting two measures for the 2022 ballot: The Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act and the Medical Cannabis Commission Act. Each proposal needed 87,000 valid signatures from registered voters to qualify.
Sadly, neither initiative for medical Nebraska marijuana will be on the 2022 ballot due to NMM being short signatures. During the campaign, NMM faced a loss of funding and a court battle regarding requirements for ballot petitions.
However, campaign manager of NMM Crista Eggers plans to refile and create a plan of action to collect signatures to get MMJ on Nebraska’s 2024 ballot.
Ohio
Several Ohio cities will vote on local cannabis decriminalization measures in 2022. So, decriminalization in these cities would eliminate penalties for possessing misdemeanor amounts of cannabis.
Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Currently, the state requires an Ohio medical marijuana card to legally purchase, possess, and consume cannabis in the state.
Oklahoma
Although a proposed voter initiative garnered enough signatures to qualify for the November election, the state may block 2022 marijuana legalization from the Oklahoma ballot.
State officials announced that Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws (OSML) collected sufficient signatures, but certification from the state may not meet the deadline to reach the ballot this year. Campaign officials say that the certification process took much longer than it should have and that blocking the measure from the 2022 ballot would be unfair.
The initiative, State Question 820, would legalize recreational cannabis in Oklahoma for adults 21 and older, permit the purchase and possession of up to one ounce of marijuana, and allow adults to cultivate up to six mature and six immature cannabis plants at home.
For now, residents must have an Oklahoma medical marijuana card to legally purchase cannabis in the state.
Texas
Medical cannabis is legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Act but only in strict, limited conditions. Patients with qualifying conditions such as cancer, autism, and epilepsy can access marijuana-derived oil with 1% THC.
Currently, marijuana penalties in the heavily regulated state are harsh. This year, five Texas cities, including Harker Heights, will vote on local cannabis decriminalization measures. If passed, these cities will join Austin in enforcing milder cannabis penalties.
West Virginia
West Virginia activists have been working to put local marijuana decriminalization initiatives on the November 2022 ballot. These initiatives would mean no fees, jail time, or court fees for simple possession of cannabis.
West Virginia legalized medical marijuana in 2017. So, residents are required to have a West Virginia medical card to visit dispensaries in the Mountain State.
Wisconsin
In November, several Wisconsin cities will ask voters if they support legalizing, taxing, and regulating cannabis similarly to alcohol. These questions will not create any new laws just yet. Instead, it will get a feel of how Wisconsin residents feel about cannabis reform.
Currently, medical and recreational use of cannabis is illegal in Wisconsin. Thus, Wisconsin doesn’t have a statewide initiative process, meaning citizens cannot petition for ballot initiatives on their own.
Wyoming
This year, Wyoming activists collected signatures for a pair of ballot initiatives to decriminalize marijuana possession and legalize medical cannabis. However, it wasn’t enough to be added to the 2022 ballot.
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Will Missouri recreational cannabis be on the November ballot? Will Arkansas’ votes for cannabis legalization 2022 be counted? When will medical Nebraska marijuana be legalized? Subscribe to the Elevate Holistics blog to stay updated on all things cannabis.
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