WASHINGTON — Voters in four states could pass major state-level marijuana policy reform measures on Tuesday. Local marijuana policy measures are also on ballots in two additional states.
In two states, voters will decide whether to make marijuana legal for adult use. In Michigan, Proposal 1 would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana similarly to alcohol. In North Dakota, Measure 3 would legalize marijuana for adults and expunge past marijuana-related convictions.
In the other two states, Missouri and voters will decide whether to establish comprehensive medical marijuana programs. In Missouri, three competing medical marijuana measures appear on the ballot, with Amendment 2 recently emerging as the front-runner after receiving multiple key newspaper endorsements. In Utah, Proposition 2 will be decided by voters, but the measure’s backers reached an agreement last month with opponent organizations, legislative leaders, and the governor to support an alternative medical cannabis law that will be enacted in an upcoming special session, regardless of the outcome of the election.
At the local level, voters in six Ohio municipalities will consider marijuana decriminalization measures, and voters in more than a dozen Wisconsin localities will consider a variety of non-binding advisory measures regarding medical and adult use.
“Two out of three Americans now support making marijuana legal, and it’s not just on the coasts. Reform efforts have been advancing across the Midwest in recent years, and they are picking up steam this election cycle,” says Matthew Schweich, Deputy Director for the Washington, DC-based Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). MPP is the nation’s largest marijuana policy organization, and it played a leading role in organizing the initiative efforts in Michigan and Utah.
“The slate of marijuana-related measures on state ballots this year represents a big step forward for the marijuana policy reform movement, regardless of the outcome on Election Day,” Schweich continues. “They have inspired a critical public dialogue about marijuana, the problems associated with the current prohibition model, and the benefits of replacing it with a more sensible approach. The more people hear and learn about this issue, the more support grows.”
“The country is moving forward on marijuana policy — the only question is how big of a step it will take on Tuesday,” adds Schweich.
Tags: ballot initiatives, Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, Election 2018, Legalize ND, Legalize North Dakota, LegalizeND, marijuana legalization, Measure 3, Michigan, Michigan marijuana legalization, Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, Missouri Amendment 2 (2018), Missouri medical marijuana, New Approach Missouri, North Dakota marijuana legalization, Proposal 1, tax and regulate, The Utah Medical Cannabis Act, Utah, Utah medical marijuana, Utah Patients Coalition
