Drug crime policy ballot measures

Voters have decided on drug crime policy ballot measures across the U.S. As a state ballot measure topic, this includes measures regarding criminal drug penalties, such as decriminalization, legalization, and crime reclassification. The topic is grouped within the criminal justice and law enforcement policy area.

This page provides information on:

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• Comprehensive list of ballot measures by year and state

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Criminal justice and law enforcement policy

Drug regulations

Drug crime policy

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Upcoming ballot measures

See also: 2026 ballot measures and 2027 ballot measures

The following is a list of state ballot measures related to this topic that are certified or potential for this year and future elections:

2028

1. Alaska Decriminalization and Regulation of Psychedelic Substances Initiative (2028) - Potential

2026

1. Colorado Penalties for Fentanyl Sale and Possession Initiative (2026) - On the ballot
2. Idaho HJR 4, Grant Legislature Exclusive Authority and Prohibit Citizen-Initiated Measures on Marijuana, Narcotics, and Psychoactive Substances Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
3. Massachusetts Eliminate Recreational Marijuana Sales and Allow Limited Possession Initiative (2026) - Potential

List of state ballot measures

Click the tabs to view state ballot measures related to this topic, organized by year or state.

Years

States

2028

1. Alaska Decriminalization and Regulation of Psychedelic Substances Initiative (2028) - Potential

2026

1. Colorado Penalties for Fentanyl Sale and Possession Initiative (2026) - On the ballot
2. Idaho HJR 4, Grant Legislature Exclusive Authority and Prohibit Citizen-Initiated Measures on Marijuana, Narcotics, and Psychoactive Substances Amendment (2026) - On the ballot
3. Massachusetts Eliminate Recreational Marijuana Sales and Allow Limited Possession Initiative (2026) - Potential

2024

1. Arizona Proposition 314, Immigration and Border Law Enforcement Measure (2024)
2. California Proposition 36, Drug and Theft Crime Penalties and Treatment-Mandated Felonies Initiative (2024)
3. Massachusetts Question 4, Legalization and Regulation of Psychedelic Substances Initiative (2024)

2022

1. Colorado Proposition 122, Decriminalization and Regulated Access Program for Certain Psychedelic Plants and Fungi Initiative (2022)

2020

1. Oregon Measure 109, Psilocybin Mushroom Services Program Initiative (2020)
2. Oregon Measure 110, Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative (2020)

2018

1. Ohio Issue 1, Drug and Criminal Justice Policies Initiative (2018)

2016

1. Oklahoma Reclassification of Some Drug and Property Crimes as Misdemeanors, State Question 780 (2016)
2. Oklahoma Rehabilitative Programs Fund Initiative, State Question 781 (2016)

2014

1. California Proposition 47, Reduced Penalties for Some Crimes Initiative (2014)

2008

1. California Proposition 5, Nonviolent Drug Offender Sentences and Rehabilitation Initiative (2008)
2. California Proposition 6, Gang-Related Crimes, Law Enforcement Spending, and Parolee Caseload Initiative (2008)
3. Massachusetts Question 2, Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative (2008)
4. Oregon Measure 57, Prison Sentences for Certain Drug and Property Crimes Measure (2008)

2000

1. Alaska Measure 5, Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative (2000)
2. California Proposition 36, Probation and Treatment for Drug-Related Offenses Initiative (2000)
3. Massachusetts Question 8, Drug Treatment Trust Fund and Expanded Court-Monitored Treatment Programs Initiative (2000)

1998

1. Arizona Proposition 301, Probation Eligibility for Drug Offenses Referendum (1998)

1997

1. Washington Initiative 685, Schedule I Drugs Decriminalization Measure (1997)

1996

1. Arizona Proposition 200, Controlled Substances Criminal Justice and Medical Prescription Changes Initiative (1996)
2. California Proposition 215, Medical Marijuana Initiative (1996)

1990

1. Alaska Measure 2, Marijuana Possession Criminalization Initiative (1990)
2. Virginia Question 2, Allow Drug Forfeiture Property to Fund Law Enforcement Amendment (1990)

1989

1. Louisiana Drug Trafficking Amendment (October 1989)

1972

1. California Proposition 19, Personal Use of Marijuana Initiative (1972)

1952

1. Michigan Proposal 1, Allow Narcotics Seized Without Warrant or Arrest as Criminal Evidence Amendment (1952)

Alaska

1. Alaska Decriminalization and Regulation of Psychedelic Substances Initiative (2028) - Potential
2. Alaska Measure 2, Marijuana Possession Criminalization Initiative (1990)
3. Alaska Measure 5, Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative (2000)

Arizona

1. Arizona Proposition 200, Controlled Substances Criminal Justice and Medical Prescription Changes Initiative (1996)
2. Arizona Proposition 301, Probation Eligibility for Drug Offenses Referendum (1998)
3. Arizona Proposition 314, Immigration and Border Law Enforcement Measure (2024)

California

1. California Proposition 19, Personal Use of Marijuana Initiative (1972)
2. California Proposition 215, Medical Marijuana Initiative (1996)
3. California Proposition 36, Drug and Theft Crime Penalties and Treatment-Mandated Felonies Initiative (2024)
4. California Proposition 36, Probation and Treatment for Drug-Related Offenses Initiative (2000)
5. California Proposition 47, Reduced Penalties for Some Crimes Initiative (2014)
6. California Proposition 5, Nonviolent Drug Offender Sentences and Rehabilitation Initiative (2008)
7. California Proposition 6, Gang-Related Crimes, Law Enforcement Spending, and Parolee Caseload Initiative (2008)

Colorado

1. Colorado Penalties for Fentanyl Sale and Possession Initiative (2026) - On the ballot
2. Colorado Proposition 122, Decriminalization and Regulated Access Program for Certain Psychedelic Plants and Fungi Initiative (2022)

Idaho

1. Idaho HJR 4, Grant Legislature Exclusive Authority and Prohibit Citizen-Initiated Measures on Marijuana, Narcotics, and Psychoactive Substances Amendment (2026) - On the ballot

Louisiana

1. Louisiana Drug Trafficking Amendment (October 1989)

Massachusetts

1. Massachusetts Eliminate Recreational Marijuana Sales and Allow Limited Possession Initiative (2026) - Potential
2. Massachusetts Question 2, Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative (2008)
3. Massachusetts Question 4, Legalization and Regulation of Psychedelic Substances Initiative (2024)
4. Massachusetts Question 8, Drug Treatment Trust Fund and Expanded Court-Monitored Treatment Programs Initiative (2000)

Michigan

1. Michigan Proposal 1, Allow Narcotics Seized Without Warrant or Arrest as Criminal Evidence Amendment (1952)

Ohio

1. Ohio Issue 1, Drug and Criminal Justice Policies Initiative (2018)

Oklahoma

1. Oklahoma Reclassification of Some Drug and Property Crimes as Misdemeanors, State Question 780 (2016)
2. Oklahoma Rehabilitative Programs Fund Initiative, State Question 781 (2016)

Oregon

1. Oregon Measure 109, Psilocybin Mushroom Services Program Initiative (2020)
2. Oregon Measure 110, Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative (2020)
3. Oregon Measure 57, Prison Sentences for Certain Drug and Property Crimes Measure (2008)

Virginia

1. Virginia Question 2, Allow Drug Forfeiture Property to Fund Law Enforcement Amendment (1990)

Washington

1. Washington Initiative 685, Schedule I Drugs Decriminalization Measure (1997)

See also

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Topics

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Footnotes

State ballot measures

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