Voters in Three States to Decide on Legalizing Marijuana Possession
On Tuesday, residents in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota will head to the polls to decide whether to legalize the possession of marijuana. If successful, these states would join the 24 states that have already legalized recreational marijuana.
Florida, which legalized medical marijuana in 2016, is considering a proposal to allow adults 21 and older to possess and use marijuana without fear of criminal prosecution. The proposal requires a supermajority of 60% to pass, and polling suggests that 60% of likely voters support the measure. However, Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed opposition to the bill, citing concerns about the potential impact on public spaces.
In North Dakota, voters will consider a proposal to legalize marijuana for recreational use. This would be the state’s third attempt at legalization, after previous initiatives failed in 2018 and 2022. The proposal would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to 0.5 ounces of marijuana without penalty, and would establish a system for taxing and regulating the drug.
South Dakota, which previously approved a measure to legalize recreational marijuana in 2020, will consider a new proposal that would allow residents to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana and grow their own plants for personal use. However, polling suggests that voters are divided on the issue, with 50% intending to vote against legalization.
Nebraska, meanwhile, is considering a proposal to legalize medical marijuana, which would make it the 39th state to do so. The proposal would allow patients to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation, and would establish a system for regulating and taxing the drug.
While many states have decriminalized marijuana possession, it remains a federal crime punishable by up to a year in jail. If these states succeed in legalizing marijuana, it could pave the way for further reform at the federal level.
