Last week we summarized the various states that had marijuana or industrial hemp on their ballot this mid-term season. Voters in four of the five states with marijuana or industrial hemp on the ballot passed their various measures.
- Michigan is the 10th state to legalize adult-use marijuana. This means nearly 25 percent of Americans now live in a state with legalized adult-use marijuana.
- Utah’s medical marijuana proposition, Proposition 2, passed. As discussed in our previous post, Utah will have a special legislative session for medical marijuana occurring later this month. This Proposition will have strong influence on how medical marijuana will be regulated in Utah.
- Missouri had three initiatives on the ballot this year, and even with some confusion over the differences, Missourians voted for a constitutional amendment to allow for medical marijuana within the state. Amendment 2 passed with 65.5 percent of the votes. Amendment 2 was the only measure that allowed for home grows and it also put a 4 percent tax on marijuana sales with the revenue dedicated to health care services for veterans. Like Utah, there will likely be legislative action in Missouri, as the legislature may adjust the initiative and expand the sales tax.
- Colorado’s industrial hemp initiative to move the definition to statute instead of the constitution passed. This was an administrative update so if there is a change in the federal laws, the legislature can align Colorado law more efficiently instead of waiting for a constitutional amendment to pass.
- The only state where marijuana did not win was North Dakota, where 59.5 percent of voters voted against the legalization of adult-use marijuana. North Dakota would have been the fastest state to legalize recreational after medical as North Dakota’s medical marijuana law was only approved in 2016 and the state is still trying to get that system up and running.
Husch Blackwell welcomes these new states into the marijuana industry and looks forward to monitoring the implementation of these state programs including the development of rules and regulations.
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