With Election Day fast approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 5, voters in four states will soon make decisions on cannabis-related measures. In Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Florida, residents will be considering changes to marijuana legislation, while Massachusetts voters will also weigh in on the potential legalization of psychedelics, despite already having legal medical and recreational marijuana.
Here’s an overview of the key proposals each state will be voting on:
Florida: Amendment 3
Voters in Florida will consider Amendment 3, a constitutional amendment related to recreational marijuana. Currently, medical marijuana is legal in the state. If passed, the amendment would allow adults 21 and over to possess up to three ounces of marijuana and five ounces of marijuana concentrate. The amendment would also authorize licensed entities, including Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, to cultivate, process, manufacture, and distribute marijuana products.
For more details, check the Florida Division of Elections website at dos.elections.myflorida.com.
Nebraska: Initiative Measures 437 and 438
Nebraska has two measures related to medical marijuana on the ballot, as both medical and recreational marijuana remain illegal in the state.
- Initiative Measure 437: This proposal seeks to legalize the use, possession, and acquisition of up to five ounces of cannabis for medical purposes, with a health care provider’s recommendation. A “yes” vote would approve the statute.
- Initiative Measure 438: This measure focuses on legalizing the possession, manufacture, and distribution of medical cannabis by registered entities, establishing a Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee regulation.
For more information, visit the Nebraska Secretary of State website at sos.nebraska.gov.
North Dakota: Measure 5
North Dakota voters will see Initiated Measure 5, concerning recreational marijuana, on their ballots. Medical marijuana is already legal in the state. A “yes” vote would allow adults 21 and up to produce, process, and use cannabis, establish protections for adult users, set up penalties for violations, and empower a state entity to regulate recreational cannabis. Local ordinances prohibiting cannabis use would be overridden.
More details are available on the North Dakota Secretary of State website at sos.nd.gov.
South Dakota: Initiated Measure 29
South Dakota voters will consider Initiated Measure 29, which would allow adults 21 and over to possess, grow, and distribute marijuana. The measure includes restrictions on marijuana possession and use in certain locations and gives employers and property owners the right to limit marijuana use. If passed, adults could possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants, with a household maximum of 12 plants.
Further information can be found at sdsos.gov.
Massachusetts: Question 4
Massachusetts, where medical and recreational marijuana is already legal, has a ballot measure concerning psychedelics. Question 4 would permit adults 21 and up to possess, grow, and use certain psychedelic substances, including psilocybin and mescaline, under licensed facilitators’ supervision. The measure would establish a regulatory board and allow municipalities to place reasonable restrictions on licensed facilities.
To read more, visit the Massachusetts Secretary of State website at sec.state.ma.us.
Currently, psychedelics are legal only in Oregon and Colorado, making this a potentially significant change for Massachusetts.
As these states head toward Election Day, these ballot measures highlight a continuing shift in cannabis and psychedelic legislation across the country.
