In Five Weeks These States Will Vote to Legalize Medical or Recreational Marijuana
In just five weeks, four states will be voting on the legalization of either medical or recreational marijuana.
We’re now just 43 days from the November 6 general election, which is an undeniably important election for marijuana reform. Two states will be voting on the legalization of marijuana for all purposes (giving them the opportunity to join the nine other states that have done so), and two will be voting for the legalization of marijuana for medical use.
Below is a look at these four initiatives.
Recreational marijuana legalization initiatives:
Michigan (Proposal 18-1):
Proposal 1, put forth by Michigan’s Committee to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, would allow anyone 21 and older to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, or up to 10 ounces at a private residence. Those 21+ would also be allowed to grow up to 12 marijuana plants.
In addition, the initiative would establish a licensed and regulated system of marijuana retail outlets. Marijuana would receive a 10% excise tax in addition to the standard 6% sales tax.
North Dakota (Measure 3):
Measure 3, if passed into law this November, would legalize the possession, personal cultivation and licensed distribution of marijuana and marijuana products – including hash and oil – for those 21 and older.
In addition, the initiative establishes a 3-step system for marijuana expungements:
- Step 1.) The state begins to analyze all those currently in prison with charges that would be applicable under the law and flags them for expungment.
- Step 2.) 30 days after their release from prison, the state shall automatically expunge their records.
- Step 3.) The state then has 10 additional days to send via certified mail notification of such an event occurring.
If that state fails to expunge a record that qualifies, the person has a right to a court appeal. If the person wins the court appeal, they can sue the state for fiscal damages with the state waiving it’s sovereign immunity in the case.
Medical marijuana legalization initiatives:
Missouri (Proposition C, Amendment 2 and Amendment 3:
Missouri’s situation is a little… shall we say… complicated. Three entirely separate measures will be voted on this November. All three would legalize medical marijuana, but would do so in different ways, including all three having their own tax system. Rather than tell you which you should support, we’ll link below to the full text of all three measures so that you can read them and decide for yourself.
Utah (Proposition 2):
Utah voters will also have the opportunity to legalize medical cannabis – including dispensaries – this November through the passage of the Utah Medical Marijuana Initiative.
Specifics of the initiative include:
- Dispensaries would be allowed to sell marijuana to individuals with medical cards. During any one 14-day period, an individual would be allowed to buy either 2 ounces of unprocessed marijuana or an amount of marijuana product with no more than 10 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol.
- After January 1, 2021, individuals with medical cards would be allowed to grow six marijuana plants for personal use within their homes if there are no dispensaries within 100 miles.
- The measure would exempt the sale of medical marijuana from the sales tax.