Above Photo: Juvenile marijuana plants cloned from more mature plants start to grow in the nursery at RiverRock Organic Cannabis in Denver, Co. (Marc Piscotty/The Washington Post)
This year’s elections will be the closest thing we’ve ever seen to a national referendum on pot policy.
More than 82 million U.S. residents will have the chance to cast ballots on marijuana measures when they go to vote for president come Election Day in November. Marijuana laws – whether it be to legalize or decriminalize – have been added to the ballot in nine states. Here’s everything you need to know about the marijuana proposals voters will decide on come Nov. 8.
Arizona – Under the guidelines of Proposition 205, or Arizona’s Marijuana Legalization Initiative, adults 21 and up would be allowed to possess and recreationally use one ounce or less of marijuana. Marijuana advocates would also be allowed to grow up to six plants in their home under the law. Arizona already permits the use of medical marijuana.
Arkansas – The Natural State is set to vote on two marijuana measures:Arkansas Issue 7 Medical Cannabis Statute and Arkansas Medical Marijuana Issue 6. If the majority of residents vote “yes” for Issue 6, then medical marijuana will be legal and a dispensary and cultivation license fees will receive a cap. Patient card fees would not have a limit. A Medical Marijuana Commission would also be established and sales taxes would be spread across three funds.
The law would also require the Arkansas Department of Health to create rules for patient cards, marijuana producers and sellers. Lastly, the department would be responsible for determining the qualifications of medical conditions.
California – Medical cannabis has been legal in California since 1996.Proposition 64, also called the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, would legalize recreational weed and hemp for people 21 and older. The law mandates a cultivation tax on flowers and leaves, as well as a 15 percent retail tax on marijuana.
Florida – Amendment 2 legalizes medical marijuana for patients suffering from specific debilitating diseases including cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, PTSD, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. It the measure passes, licensed state physicians would be able to prescribe medical marijuana to those suffering from comparable debilitating conditions. This is the second time Amendment 2 popped up on the Florida ballot. The state voted against a similar measure back in 2014.
Maine – Question 1 (2016) would legalize recreational use of marijuana throughout the state, which has allowed legal medical marijuana since 1999. Should the majority of voters check “yes” for Maine Marijuana Legalization, adults 21 and up will be allowed to use and possess cannabis. The state’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry would regulate retail stores, and a 10 percent tax will be placed on all marijuana sales.
Massachusetts – Question 4 would fully legalize marijuana with regulations similar to the state’s approach to alcoholic beverages. Massachusetts allows medical marijuana.
Montana – Montana Medical Marijuana Initiative I-182 is an amendment to the already-passed Montana Medical Marijuana Act. Should the new measure pass, the current medical marijuana laws will be adjusted to allow more patients access to medical marijuana. The law would also permit providers to hire workers to cultivate, dispense and transport medical marijuana to patients.
Nevada – People 21 and older would be able to possess and use up to one ounce of marijuana for recreational purposes under Nevada’s Question 2.
North Dakota – Initiated Statutory Measure 5 gives patients suffering from cancer, AIDS, Hepatitis C, ALS, and glaucoma and epilepsy access to medical marijuana with a specific identification card. Called the North Dakota Compassionate Care Act, the amendment would also institute specific procedures and regulations for growing and dispensing medical marijuana.