The midterm elections are coming on November 8. In addition to important elections that will determine the balance of power in Congress, local elections and ballot measures are set to make a big impact across the country at more local levels.
Among the issues that will be decided by voters in 2022 are a handful of cannabis-related measures. Voters are being asked to decide on the future of adult-use cannabis in some states, as well as city-level measures that will continue to define the future of cannabis laws in the US.
As of the start of the year, 19 states and Washington, DC have legalized the possession and personal use of cannabis products, per Ballotpedia. Five states could have measures on the ballot to legalize cannabis for use by adults 21 and over. A sixth state hoped to have it on the ballot, but will see the question asked in a future election instead. Here are the states with state-wide cannabis measures up for a vote.
Arkansas
The ballot measure in Arkansas is relatively straightforward, but there were several moving pieces attached to it that nearly took the matter off voters’ agenda entirely. Though the state’s Board of Election Commissioners had initially blocked the measure to legalize adult use of cannabis from appearing on the ballot in this election, the state Supreme Court ruled late last month that the measure could move ahead.
If the initiative is approved by voters, it would allow adults 21 and older to legally possess up to an ounce of cannabis. It would also implement a 10% tax on sales and require the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division to develop rules for businesses, according to Ballotpedia. The initiative does not allow for home cultivation, and it has no provisions to expunge or seal cannabis-related criminal records. It still allows local government bodies to prohibit the presence of adult-use dispensaries in their jurisdiction, per Marijuana Moment. Full Story