The D-day is finally here. Tuesday’s election could see recreational marijuana legalized in two more states. Michigan and North Dakota are set to head to the polls on November 6 to either give the green light for recreational use of marijuana or not. If voters approve the bills, they will join the list of nine other states including Washington D.C, where adult use of recreational marijuana is already legal. Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Vermont and Colorado are the states that have already legalized recreational marijuana.
States like Missouri, Ohio and Utah have less intense marijuana-related measures at stake. Meanwhile, Florida and Kentucky are in the race to expand legalization which has been seen as a referendum on weed.
Michigan
Proposal 1. This is Michigan’s Hemp Legalization Initiative. This initiative looks to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for persons above the age of 21. The municipalities have been left with the rights to accept the use of recreational marijuana or deem it illegal and prohibit marijuana businesses within their boundaries. If approved industrial production of marijuana would be permitted and residents would be allowed to possess 12 plants at most. However public consumption would still remain prohibited.
North Dakota
Measure 3. This is North Dakota’s initiative and takes legalization one step further. If approved the bill will decriminalize marijuana offenses. It has faced criticism as critics say it has failed to lay out any regulatory and enforcement measures and details.
Florida
Amendment 11 has an aim to relax the current rule on violators that they would still be prosecuted although the state’s statutes are amended.
Kentucky
Marijuana in Kentucky has always been illegal, but some Republican and Democrat lawmakers proposed a change. Senator Dan Seum introduced a legislative effort SB 80 which looks to legalize recreational marijuana beginning January.
