Post-Election Results

Five states voted this week on adult-use cannabis legalization. Two of them voted to legalize, and the other three did not pass the measure, which was expected. With the two new legal states, that brings the number of recreational adult use legal states from 19 up to 21. One of the two states which has passed the legalization measure is Maryland. The state amendment passed by a margin of 65.5% to 34.5%. Cannabis is currently decriminalized through June 2023. This newly passed measure will take effect the next month, July 2023, and will allow adults over age 21 to purchase and use recreational cannabis. They may also grow up to two plants. Past convictions will also be expunged. The state will still need to set up a licensing or regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis sales. The second state to pass recreational cannabis legalization is Missouri, where voters passed a constitutional amendment by a margin of 53.1% to 46.9%. Missouri is moving fast on their new law. Recreational adult use cannabis will be legalized for adults over 21 in less than a month! As of December 7th of this year, 2022, adults can purchase, possess, and consume cannabis legally in the state. Private residences may grow up to 12 plants in the flowering stage. And individuals with certain prior cannabis convictions can apply for expungement. On the other, less fortunate, side of votes, measures to legalize recreation use failed in Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota. These were expected, though, as polling had shown that the measures did not seem to have enough support. Those three states do already have legal medical marijuana programs, but at this time, that will be the extent of it.