As the 2024 election approaches, voters in four states will have the opportunity to weigh in on marijuana legalization. Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Florida will all have measures related to marijuana on their ballots. Massachusetts, where medical and recreational marijuana are already legal, will also vote on the legalization of psychedelics.
In Florida, Amendment 3 would allow for the possession, purchase, and use of marijuana for non-medical purposes by adults 21 and older. It would also permit licensed entities to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute marijuana products and accessories. Under the amendment, adults 21 and older would be allowed to possess up to three ounces of marijuana and up to five ounces in the form of marijuana concentrate.
In Nebraska, two initiatives related to medical marijuana are on the ballot. Initiative Measure 437 would legalize the use, possession, and acquisition of up to five ounces of cannabis for medical purposes with a written recommendation from a healthcare provider. Initiative Measure 438 would legalize the possession, manufacture, distribution, delivery, and dispensing of cannabis for medical purposes by registered private entities and establish the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate the industry.
In North Dakota, Initiated Measure 5 would allow for the production, processing, and sale of cannabis and possession and use of cannabis by adults 21 and older. It would also provide protections for adults 21 and older who use cannabis and preserve certain employer rights regarding the use of cannabis by employees.
In South Dakota, Initiated Measure 29 would allow for the possession, growing, ingesting, and distribution of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia by adults 21 and older. It would also restrict marijuana possession and consumption in areas such as schools or where tobacco is prohibited and provide employers with the right to restrict an employee’s use of marijuana and property owners the right to regulate the use of marijuana on their property.
In Massachusetts, Question 4 would allow for the possession, growing, and use of certain natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances. It would also permit the purchase of natural psychedelic substances from approved locations under the supervision of a licensed facilitator and regulate and tax psychedelic substances. The measure would also create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission and Natural Psychedelic Substances Advisory Board.
To date, psychedelics are only legal in Oregon and Colorado. The outcome of these measures could have significant implications for the legal status of marijuana and psychedelics in the United States.
