The November Elections: A Watershed for Weed
By John Persinos
This November, the voting will be a litmus test for how green the grass of legalization is becoming across America.
In a groundbreaking shift for cannabis policy in 2023, several states, including Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Ohio, made significant strides toward legalization. As the November 2024 elections loom on the calendar, several other states are poised to follow suit.
Eleven states are up for grabs, with five states potentially advancing medical cannabis legalization and another six considering full adult-use legalization.
Four of these states (Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota) are facing ballot initiatives. These efforts reflect a broader trend whereby citizen-driven initiatives are gaining traction around the country.
Federal cannabis policies continue to lag behind public sentiment, underscoring the complexities in aligning national and state laws. Marijuana, of course, remains banned on the federal level. But the states have stepped into the breach.
As of June 2024, there are currently 24 states that have legalized recreational marijuana and 38 have done so for medical marijuana, either by ballot measure or by legislative action (see chart).
Looking ahead, there's cautious optimism for incremental reforms through the executive branch. The Department of Justice, spurred by a Department of Health and Human Services recommendation, is evaluating reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule III drug, potentially influencing state-level policies across holdout states.
Wisconsin emerges as a likely contender for medical cannabis legalization in 2024, despite historical legislative gridlock. Governor Tony Evers (D) and Republican legislators are hammering out a compromise on a state-run program, marking a significant step forward amid public support.
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