States with Ballot Initiatives to Legalize Marijuana

Many states with cannabis initiatives have fallen off the ballot, but we have outlined states that will be actively pursuing new expansions to the marijuana program through the upcoming November 2020 ballot.

States and the supports are hoping for big wins this upcoming election. These states include Arizona, New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana, and Mississippi.

States with Cannabis Initiatives for The November 2020 Ballot

Arizona

Arizona legalized medical cannabis in 2010, through Proposition 203, which provided a legal way for qualifying patients in the state to access and utilize medical cannabis as a form of treatment for their ailment.

In 2016, the initiative to pass marijuana for recreation use failed by fewer than 67,100 votes, with 51.3% of voters saying no.

The Smart and Safe Act initiative will appear on the November ballot as Prop 207. Prop 207, which aims to legalize cannabis for adult-use in Arizona, has officially been approved by Secretary of State Katie Hobbs. View the entire initiative here.

New Jersey

New Jersey legalized medical cannabis in 2010, through Senate Bill 119, which provided a legal way for qualifying patients in the state to access and utilize medical cannabis as a form of treatment for their ailment.

In 2017, Governor Phil Murphy vowed to deliver on a campaign trail promise to legalize cannabis; however, there was not enough support.

If passed, New Jersey Public Question 1 would legalize the recreational use of marijuana for persons age 21 and older and legalizes the cultivation, processing, and sale of retail marijuana. The constitutional amendment would take effect on January 1, 2021.

South Dakota

Currently, South Dakota has no form of cannabis legalization, this includes adult-use and medical cannabis. However, there are two initiatives that will be on the November 2020 ballot.

The first initiative is Initiated Measure 26. This would legalize medical cannabis in South Dakota. The second initiative is the Constitutional Amendment A. This would legalize medical cannabis for recreational use for persons age 21 and older.

Montana

Montana legalized medical cannabis in 2004, through Initiative 148, but failed to establish a state-wide regulated dispensing system. In 2016, Montana passed Initiative 182 legalizing the implementation of a state-wide regulated dispensing system, providing a legal way for qualifying patients in the state to access and utilize medical cannabis as a form of treatment for their ailment.

Montana voters also will see two cannabis initiatives on their ballots this upcoming November 2020 ballot.

Ballot issue I-190 would allow adults in the state to possess, buy, and use cannabis for recreational use. Ballot issue CI-118 would establish 21 as the legal age to purchase, possess and consume cannabis.

Mississippi

Mississippi legalized low-THC, high-CBD medical cannabis in 2014, through House Bill 1231, which provided a legal way for qualifying patients in the state to access and utilize low-THC, high-CBD medical cannabis as a form of treatment for their ailment.

There are two initiatives that are competing in Mississippi: Initiative 65 and Alternative 65A. The two initiatives will both be on the November 2020 ballot. Initiative 65 and Alternative 65A would allow the establishment of a medical marijuana program in Mississippi for individuals with a medical condition.

Under Initiative 65, medical marijuana could be recommended for patients with at least one of the 22 qualifying conditions, as well as a possession limit and tax rate. As for Alternative 65A, it does not specify qualifying conditions, possession limits, or a tax rate.

Interested in applying for these states if the ballot passes in November 2020? Schedule a consult with one of our leading experts to get a head start on your application process.

States with Cannabis Initiatives but Did Not Pass to Be on The November 2020 Ballot

Arkansas

Arkansans for Cannabis Reform were not able to continue collecting signatures due to the pandemic. The campaign was unable to submit ~90,000 signatures from registered voters by July 3 to make the November ballot.

Florida

Make it Legal Florida, which was announced in January 2020, had to discontinue efforts to gather ~766,000 signatures from registered voters to make the November ballot. The campaign raised over $8.7 million since it launched in August 2019 and has spent $7.7 million on the effort.

Idaho

Because of the pandemic and health concerns, Idaho Cannabis Coalition had to put a pause on its campaign in early April. However, the group vowed to continue its effort in getting enough signatures for the 2022 election.

Missouri

Similar to most states, Missourians for a New Approach, had to put a pause on its campaign in early 2020 due to the pandemic and health concerns.

Nebraska

While Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana submitted over 190,000 signatures for the ballot in November, the campaign had to go through legal challenges. Unfortunately, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled on September 10, 2020, that the initiative will not appear on the November 2020 ballot.

North Dakota

Legalize ND was not able to gather enough signatures to qualify for this year’s November 2020 ballot. However, the group vowed to continue its effort in getting enough signatures for the 2022 election.