Election Drug Policy Outcomes

We all know how crazy and stressful this year has been. I think something we can all agree on is being able to enjoy television again without the hundreds of political ads getting thrown in your face every minute of the day. Through all the craziness, we are happy to share some positives that have come out of all this!

Arizona

Passed initiative to legalize marijauna. Voters rejected a similar legal cannabis proposal in 2016. Arizona passed an initiative to legalize medical cannabis in November 2010. After Nov. 30, 2020, Arizonians will legally be allowed to use, possess and cultivate cannabis. Regulators can issue licenses starting January 2021.

New Jersey 

Approved a referendum to legalize marijuana, which is expected to to cause a domino-effect across the East Coast. Gov. Phil Murphy has been an active supporter of the measure saying he believes it will be a revenue-generator and will add to social justice. The constitutional amendment will go into effect Jan.1, 2021.

Mississippi

Approved an activist led initiative to legalize medical marijuana and establish a medical marijuana program. The Mississippi Department of Health will be responsible for developing program regulations by July 1, 2021 and patient medical cards will be issued the following month.

Montana

Approved measure to legalize marijuana and establish a system of marijuana sales and production for adults 21 and older. Adults can use, psssess and cultivate cannabis starting Jan. 1, 2021. Regulators may begin to accept license applications that same day.

South Dakota

Approved separate initiatives to legalize marijauna and medical cannabis. Under the recreational measure, those 21 and older can possess and distribute up to one ounce of marijuana. Legalization will become the law on July 1, 2021. The Department of Revenue is required to develop licensing regulations by April 1, 2022.

Oregon

Approved a first of its kind in U.S. initiative to decriminalize all drugs and expand substance misuse treatment. This measure will remove criminal penalties for low-level drug possession. 

Oregon also approved an initiative to legalize psilocybin mushroom therapy. Regulators will be responsible for issuing licenses for the manufacturing, testing and administering of psychedelics by Jan. 2, 2023.

Washington D.C

Approved an initiative to decriminalize psychedelics. The measure will go into effect after a 30-day review period by Congress, where the initiative could be blocked, as was done with the voter-approved medical cannabis initiative