The Presidency Isn’t the Only Issue at Stake on America’s 2020 Ballot
The November 3rd Election Could See up to 5 New States Legalize Cannabis, with a 6th State Aiming to Legalize Magic Mushrooms
This November, five states will have their voices heard on medical and adult-use cannabis legalization programs: Arizona, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota. A sixth state, Oregon, will look to pass a first-of-its-kind bill to legalize the therapeutic use of Psilocybin, aka Magic Mushrooms.
Currently, 35 U.S. states have regulated medical marijuana programs, while eleven states — plus Washington, D.C. — have legal recreational cannabis markets for residents aged 21 and older.
If the 2019 study conducted by Pew Research is any indication — which saw nine out of 10 Americans support legal cannabis, regardless of party affiliation — there’s a growing consensus that’s on the brink of being reaffirmed. If the proposed adult-used measures are approved, 15 U.S. will have established regulated cannabis markets, meaning that one-third of American adults will have access to legal recreational pot.
Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming cannabis legalization initiatives for the states on the 2020 election ballot:
The Grand Canyon state was close to legalizing recreational cannabis in 2016, falling short by only 67,100 votes. But new polls show that support for legalization in the state is on the rise. Residents will be voting on Proposition 207, also known as the ‘Smart and Safe Act,’ which reportedly has the potential to raise $300 million in tax revenue.
- A ‘Yes’ Vote means that the sale, possession (up to 1 oz.), growth (up to six plants for personal use), and use of recreational cannabis would be legal for residents aged 21 and over. It’s estimated that a commercial adult-use cannabis market could grow to $1 billion in just four years. If passed, the Arizona Department of Health Services would oversee the licensing, testing, production, labelling, distribution, and sale of legalized cannabis products. A ‘Yes’ vote would also mean people with previous possession charges (2.5 oz. or less) could be up for expungement beginning in July 2021.
- A ‘No’ Vote means recreational cannabis use would remain illegal, but the current medical cannabis laws would be untouched.
On the November ballot, Mississippi voters will decide on two competing measures regarding medical cannabis legalization. The first measure — called Initiative 65 — is a citizen-based petition that would establish a state-run medical cannabis program and the ability for doctors to prescribe cannabis to qualifying patients (to treat more than 20 conditions). Under this program, patients would be allowed to carry up to 2.5 oz of cannabis.
The second measure — called 65A — is more restrictive than Initiative 65, limiting the smoking of cannabis to terminally ill patients. While it’s unclear which of the two measures has more voter support, a 2019 poll showed that 67% of voters in the state favored legalized medical marijuana, while a different poll shows 81% of Mississippi voters in favour of medical cannabis for the terminally ill.
- A ‘Yes’ Vote on legalized medical cannabis could see annual sales in Mississippi reach over $20 million in just four years. If passed, Initiative 65 would see medical cannabis carry the state’s current 7% sales tax, while a tax rate for 65A has not yet been disclosed.
- A ‘No’ Vote means all forms of cannabis use — recreational and medical — will remain illegal.
In 2004, ‘Big Sky Country’ approved a bill legalizing medical cannabis and expanded the measure a decade later. This November, Montana voters are deciding on two measures: (1) I-190 would allow adults aged 21 and over to purchase and possess recreational cannabis while also implementing a 20% sales tax to benefit national parks, and (2) CI-118 would allow adults aged 21 and over to purchase and possess recreational cannabis, but not establish a state-based regulated cannabis sales industry. Recent polls suggest that Montana residents are in favour of legalization.
- A ‘Yes’ Vote on I-190 would mean legalized and taxed cannabis for residents aged 21 and over, with the Montana Department of Revenue regulating the production, sale, and licensing. It’s estimated that this would generate $48 million in tax revenue by 2025, with annual sales reaching $175 million by 2024. A ‘Yes’ vote on CI-118 would put the legal age for purchase, consumption, and possession at 21. A passed bill would also mean individuals currently serving sentences for actions permitted under the new proposal would be eligible to apply for expungement.
- A ‘No’ Vote means recreational cannabis use would remain illegal, but the current medical cannabis laws would be untouched.
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In the Garden State, voters will have the opportunity to pass a legal adult-use cannabis market through an initiative known as the New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Amendment. A recent poll shows New Jersey voter support of legalization at 65%, with only 29% opposed and 6% undecided.
- A ‘Yes’ Vote would result in legalized, taxed, and regulated recreational cannabis sales — along with regulated cannabis production — for state residents aged 21 and over. Annual sales have been estimated to hit $1.8 billion in only four years of having a legal market. A ‘Yes’ vote would also mean individuals currently serving sentences for actions permitted under the new proposal would be eligible to apply for expungement.
- A ‘No’ Vote means recreational cannabis use would remain illegal, but the current medical cannabis laws would be untouched.
Typically it’s medical cannabis first, recreational cannabis second. But not in South Dakota. The state will be the first in the U.S. to vote on both medical and recreational cannabis on the same ballot. Amendment A would legalize, tax, and regulate medical and recreational cannabis use, while Measure 26 would legalize only medical cannabis sales. Recent polling suggests roughly 60% support for Amendment A and 70% support for Measure 26.
- A ‘Yes’ Vote on Amendment A would result in the legalization of adult-use cannabis and could result in annual sales reaching $20 million in just four years. Amendment A would be overseen by the South Dakota Department of Revenue. A ‘Yes’ vote on Measure 26 would allow physicians to prescribe up to 3 oz. of cannabis to qualifying patients. The Department of Health would oversee measure 26.
- A ‘No’ Vote on both initiatives would mean the continued prohibition of both medical and recreational cannabis.
While the Beaver State has already legalized adult-use recreational cannabis, it’s worth including on this list, as residents attempt to pass a first-of-its-kind bill to legalize the therapeutic use of Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in Magic Mushrooms. Oregonians will be voting on Measure 109, also called the Oregon Psilocybin Program Initiative. While no specific polling is available for this measure, 64% of voters supported legalized therapeutic psilocybin in 2019.
- A ‘Yes’ Vote won Measure 109 would legalize psilocybin to qualifying residents aged 21 and over, but this would not come into effect until after a two-year development period from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon voters also have the opportunity to pass a first-of-its-kind initiative in the U.S. — called Oregon’s Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery initiative, or Measure 110 — which would remove criminal penalties for personal possession of Schedule I, II, III, or IV drugs. If passed, Measure 110 would also provide drug treatment, housing support, and access to social services for addicts.
- A ‘No’ Vote means Oregon’s current legalized recreational cannabis market would remain as is.
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