On Tuesday, Maryland and Missouri voted in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana use, while voters in Arkansas and North Dakota opted against it. This trend reflects a gradual shift toward acceptance of cannabis legalization, even in traditionally conservative areas of the United States.
With these new approvals, a total of 21 states have now legalized recreational cannabis. Additionally, South Dakota held a referendum on the issue, but the results were still pending as of Wednesday morning.
Proponents of these measures emphasized that the outcomes send a significant message to lawmakers in Washington regarding the growing national support for legalization.
“A rising number of voters understand that reforming cannabis laws benefits public health and safety, contributes to criminal justice reform, promotes social equity, and upholds personal freedom,” stated Toy Hutchinson, president of the General Policy Project. “These victories at the state level are essential for advancing federal reform.”
These legislative changes come on the heels of President Joe Biden’s recent actions to decriminalize marijuana. Last month, he announced plans to pardon thousands of individuals convicted of simple possession under federal law, which supporters believe could further energize their legislative efforts.
In Missouri, the approved measures will allow adults aged 21 and over to consume marijuana legally and will expunge many arrest and conviction records related to nonviolent cannabis offenses, with exceptions for sales to minors and driving under the influence.
“This demonstrates that marijuana legalization is not merely a partisan issue,” remarked John Payne, who spearheaded Missouri’s legalization campaign. “This transcends party lines.”
Payne anticipates that recreational sales could commence as early as next year in Missouri.
However, opponents are already mobilizing to restrict the implementation of the new laws. They plan to collaborate with local governments to potentially ban dispensaries.
“The devil is in the details, and we intend to remain actively involved in law enforcement in Missouri because we don’t want another major tobacco-like industry negatively impacting our youth,” stated Kevin Sabet, president of SAM Action, an organization opposing legalization.
Maryland is also set to revise its criminal code, automatically expunging past records for marijuana possession.
As of Tuesday, recreational use of marijuana is legal in 19 states, despite polls indicating a divide in public opinion regarding its legalization. Notably, all states that voted on recreational marijuana legalization, with the exception of Maryland, supported Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
According to VoteCast, a comprehensive survey of over 90,000 voters conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for the Associated Press, approximately 60% of voters nationwide support legalizing recreational marijuana use. This growing acceptance suggests that attitudes toward cannabis are gradually evolving, paving the way for more states to consider similar measures in the future.
As these changes take root, the implications for public health, law enforcement, and social equity will continue to be significant factors in the ongoing discussions around marijuana legalization across the United States. The developments in Maryland and Missouri could serve as a catalyst for further reforms, encouraging more states to reevaluate their cannabis laws in response to shifting public sentiment.