land, Missouri OK’d Recreational Marijuana. Three Other States Say No. //
In Tuesday’s midterm elections, voters in five states cast their ballots for measures to legalize recreational cannabis. Missourians and Maryland residents voted for their measures. South Dakotans, North Dakota and Arkansas voters rejected them.
On Tuesday, recreational cannabis was legal in 19 states and Washington D.C. Eleven states, along with the District, voted for legalization through ballot initiatives. Seven states have passed laws to legalize marijuana. New Jersey’s state legislature placed the measure on the ballot so that voters could decide.
Arkansas
Arkansas voters rejected the state’s Issue4 initiative that would have allowed possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for anyone 21 years old or older. A 10% tax would have been applied to marijuana sales.
Responsible growth Arkansas, the sponsor of the initiative, said:
We all know how important it is to support the police and fund them. Our support is due to the brave men and women who work in law enforcement. Vote for Issue 4 to support law enforcement. Issue 4 will legalize the sale and distribution of cannabis to adults over 21. This issue generates revenue that can be used to fund local police departments, protect our communities, and improve safety on the streets. Voting for Issue 4 means you support our police force.
Arkansas voters were not convinced. With 92% of votes counted, 56.3% of Arkansans voted against the measure, while 43.7% voted for it.
Maryland
The Maryland General Assembly voted in favor of putting the issue on the ballot for voters to vote. The measure will include a Marijuana Legalization Amendment in the state constitution. The amendment was approved by 65.5% voters in Maryland.
The measure legalizes marijuana for adults 21 and older. It will take effect next summer.
Missouri
Missouri residents approved the a mendment HTML3 ballot initiative to legalize pot for those aged 21 and older. The state will levy a 6% tax on the sale of pot. Funds raised will go to programs for military veterans, according the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The state constitution amendment will expand the state’s current law, which was amended by Amendment 2, which legalized medical marijuana in a 2018 referendum. The new amendment would allow people convicted of nonviolent marijuana-related crimes to petition for their release, parole, or probation and have their records expunged.
53.1% of the vote was counted and 53.1% voted for the amendment. 46.9% of Missouri voters opposed it.
North Dakota
North Dakota voters rejected the ballot initiative Statutory Measure 2 that would have legalized personal recreational marijuana use for those aged 21 and older. The measure would have allowed qualified adults to possess upto one ounce of marijuana, and to grow up to three plants.
According to state election officials, and the Secretary-of-State’s Office, just over 55% of North Dakotans had voted against the measure after 100% of the votes were counted.
South Dakota
South Dakota residents rejected Measure 27 which would have legalized “possession, use and distribution of marijuana” up to one ounce. It also allowed for marijuana paraphernalia. The measure would have been applicable to all persons over 21 years old. Marijuana plants could not have been grown in any counties or cities that had no licensed cannabis shops. Individuals who violated these restrictions would have been subjected to civil penalties. Those under 21 could have attended counseling or drug education classes instead.
According to the Sioux Falls Argus Leadernewspaper, 53% of South Dakotans voted against the measure after counting 99% of precincts.
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The post Maryland and Missouri OK Recreational Marijuana. The Daily Signal: Three Other States Say No.
