6 States Attempting to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Marijuana legalization is expected to flood voter ballots across the U.S. this year. It’s been a hot topic over the last few years with 33 states allowing medical marijuana and 11 having legalized recreational marijuana.

The conservative states of Mississippi, Nebraska and South Dakota have pro-marijuana supporters attempting to get initiatives on November ballots, Yahoo Finance reports. And increasing support for marijuana legalization in Arizona, New Jersey and New York have these states in line to legalize adult-use marijuana initiatives at the ballots.

Arizona

The Arizona marijuana community is patiently awaiting the release of the 2020 initiative. At the same time, state attorney general Mark Brnovich has voiced that he’d prefer to see lawmakers legalize and regulate adult-use marijuana instead of it being done by voter initiative. Either way, things are looking good for legalization in Arizona.

Mississippi

Mississippi’s initiative would allow those ages 18 and older to purchase and possess marijuana. Medical marijuana would also be legalized. Tax revenues would be divided up between in-state education funding, in-state healthcare programs and the state’s general tax fund.

Nebraska

In Nebraska, which is quite the shocker, residents are already gathering signatures in support of the Nebraska Cannabis Legalization Initiative. Supporters need to gather signatures from 5% of voters in two-fifths of its 93 counties and 10% of the total number of registered voters in the state. Signatures are due by July 2, 2020.

New Jersey & New York

New Jersey and New York both fought hard to get recreational marijuana legalization wrapped up in 2019, but both ran out of time. Both states are expected to push even harder in 2020.

South Dakota

The South Dakota Marijuana Legalization Initiative only needs 17,000 valid signatures to make it to the ballot. It would legalize marijuana for those ages 21 and older. Law enforcement wouldn’t be allowed to keep records of marijuana possession or use. Marijuana and accompanying paraphernalia would not be taxed.