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History of marijuana ballot measures and laws
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As of June 2025, 24 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of marijuana for recreational purposes, and 39 states and D.C. had legalized marijuana for medical purposes.[1][2][3]
HIGHLIGHTS
See the sections below for further information on the following topics:
- Marijuana laws by state
- Noteworthy events since 2022
- Upcoming marijuana ballot measures
- Marijuana laws enacted by statewide ballot measures
- Campaign finance for ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana
- Comparison of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana
- Political context of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana
- Marijuana ballot measures since 1972
Marijuana laws by state
Recreational marijuana by state
As of June 2025, 24 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of marijuana for recreational purposes.[1][5][6][7]
- In 13 states and D.C., the ballot initiative process was used to legalize marijuana.
- In two states, the legislature referred a measure to the ballot for voter approval.
- In nine states, bills to legalize marijuana were enacted into law.
The following table provides information about when and how recreational marijuana became legal.
| Timeline and process of recreational marijuana legalization | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Year legalized | Process used | Votes on ballot measures | ||
| For | Against | ||||
| Colorado | 2012 | Initiative | 55.32% | 44.68% | |
| Washington | 2012 | Initiative | 55.70% | 44.30% | |
| Alaska | 2014 | Initiative | 53.23% | 46.77% | |
| Oregon | 2014 | Initiative | 56.11% | 43.89% | |
| Washington, D.C. | 2014 | Initiative | 70.06% | 29.94% | |
| California | 2016 | Initiative | 57.13% | 42.87% | |
| Maine | 2016 | Initiative | 50.26% | 49.74% | |
| Massachusetts | 2016 | Initiative | 53.66% | 46.34% | |
| Nevada | 2016 | Initiative | 54.47% | 45.53% | |
| Michigan | 2018 | Initiative | 55.89% | 44.11% | |
| Vermont | 2018 | Legislation | N/A | N/A | |
| Illinois | 2019 | Legislation | N/A | N/A | |
| Arizona | 2020 | Initiative | 60.03% | 39.97% | |
| Montana | 2020 | Initiative | 56.90% | 43.10% | |
| New Jersey | 2020 | Referral | 67.08% | 32.92% | |
| New York | 2021 | Legislation | N/A | N/A | |
| Virginia | 2021 | Legislation | N/A | N/A | |
| New Mexico | 2021 | Legislation | N/A | N/A | |
| Connecticut | 2021 | Legislation | N/A | N/A | |
| Rhode Island | 2022 | Legislation | N/A | N/A | |
| Maryland | 2022 | Referral | 67.20% | 32.80% | |
| Missouri | 2022 | Initiative | 53.10% | 46.90% | |
| Delaware | 2023 | Legislation | N/A | N/A | |
| Minnesota | 2023 | Legislation | N/A | N/A | |
| Ohio | 2023 | Initiative | 57.19% | 42.81% | |
Medical marijuana by state
As of June 2025, medical marijuana was legal in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Twelve states (shaded grey in the map below) did not provide for a medical marijuana program.[1]
- Of the 39 states, 19 states established medical marijuana through the ballot initiative process.
- In 20 states, medical marijuana programs were established through legislation.
Noteworthy events
Below is a list of events related to marijuana legalization. Events are listed in reverse chronological order. Do you know of something else that should be included here? Email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.
- November 5, 2024: Initiatives to legalize marijuana for recreational use were defeated in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In Nebraska, voters approved a pair of ballot initiatives to legalize medical marijuana.
- May 29, 2024: Delaware Governor John Carney (D) signed House Bill 285 into law, which expanded medical marijuana access by allowing physicians to recommend medical marijuana to patients who would benefit from its use, regardless of whether or not the patient has a specific qualifying condition.[8]
- November 8, 2023: Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana through voter approval of Issue 2, a citizen initiative.
- May 30, 2023: Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed legislation on May 30, 2023.[9]
- April 26, 2023: Delaware became the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. John Carney (D) allowed House Bill 1 and 2 to become law without his signature. House Bill 1 ended criminal penalties for adult use and possession of certain small quantities of marijuana. House Bill 2 legalized recreational marijuana and provided for regulations.[10]
- March 31, 2023: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed a medical marijuana bill, which was written to take effect on January 1, 2025.[11]
- November 9, 2022: Marijuana legalization measures were on the 2022 ballot in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The measures were approved in Maryland and Missouri and were defeated in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
- May 25, 2022: Rhode Island became the 19th state to legalize recreational marijuana after Governor Dan McKee (D) signed House Bill 7593, the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, into law on May 25, 2022.[12]
- May 24, 2022: Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) vetoed a bill that was designed to legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use. The Delaware State Legislature passed House Bill 371 by a 26-14 vote in the House and 13-7 vote in the Senate.[13]
- February 2, 2022: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed a medical marijuana bill (Senate Bill 2095) after a voter-approved initiative to legalize medical marijuana was overturned by the state supreme court in 2021.[14]
Upcoming and recent marijuana ballot measures
See also: Marijuana laws ballot measures
2024
| State | Year | Ballot Measure | Type | Status | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2024 | Florida Amendment 3 | Initiated constitutional amendment | Defeated | 5,950,589 (56%) | 4,693,524 (44%) |
| South Dakota | 2024 | South Dakota Initiated Measure 29 | Initiated state statute | Defeated | 189,916 (44%) | 237,228 (56%) |
| North Dakota | 2024 | North Dakota Initiated Measure 5 | Initiated state statute | Defeated | 172,174 (47%) | 190,548 (53%) |
2023
| State | Year | Ballot Measure | Type | Status | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 2023 | Oklahoma State Question 820 | Initiated state statute | Defeated | 217,078 (38%) | 349,284 (62%) |
| Ohio | 2023 | Ohio Issue 2 | Indirect initiated state statute | Approved | 2,226,399 (57%) | 1,666,316 (43%) |
2022
| State | Year | Ballot Measure | Type | Status | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 2022 | Maryland Question 4 | Legislatively referred constitutional amendment | Approved | 1,302,161 (67%) | 635,572 (33%) |
| Missouri | 2022 | Missouri Amendment 3 | Initiated constitutional amendment | Approved | 1,092,432 (53%) | 965,020 (47%) |
| South Dakota | 2022 | South Dakota Initiated Measure 27 | Initiated state statute | Defeated | 163,584 (47%) | 183,879 (53%) |
| Arkansas | 2022 | Arkansas Issue 4 | Initiated constitutional amendment | Defeated | 392,938 (44%) | 505,128 (56%) |
| North Dakota | 2022 | North Dakota Statutory Measure 2 | Initiated state statute | Defeated | 107,608 (45%) | 131,192 (55%) |
Marijuana laws enacted by statewide ballot measures
The following table provides information on states that have legalized recreational marijuana or medical marijuana through state ballot measures.
| State | Year | Measure | Yes | No | Origin | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 1998 | Measure 8 | 58.67% | 41.33% | Initiative | Medical |
| Nevada | 1998 | Question 9 | 58.65% | 41.35% | Initiative | Medical |
| Oregon | 1998 | Measure 67 | 54.60% | 45.40% | Initiative | Medical |
| Washington | 1998 | Initiative 692 | 58.97% | 41.03% | Initiative | Medical |
| Maine | 1999 | Question 2 | 61.41% | 38.59% | Initiative | Medical |
| Colorado | 2000 | Initiative 20 | 53.78% | 46.22% | Initiative | Medical |
| Nevada | 2000 | Question 9 | 65.38% | 34.62% | Initiative | Medical |
| Montana | 2004 | I-148 | 61.81% | 38.19% | Initiative | Medical |
| Michigan | 2008 | Proposal 1 | 62.66% | 37.34% | Initiative | Medical |
| Maine | 2009 | Question 5 | 58.87% | 41.13% | Initiative | Medical |
| Arkansas | 2016 | Issue 6 | 53.11% | 46.89% | Initiative | Medical |
| Montana | 2016 | I-182 | 57.87% | 42.13% | Initiative | Medical |
| North Dakota | 2016 | Measure 5 | 63.79% | 36.21% | Initiative | Medical |
| Missouri | 2018 | Amendment 2 | 65.59% | 34.41% | Initiative | Medical |
| Oklahoma | 2018 | State Question 788 | 56.86% | 43.14% | Initiative | Medical |
| Utah | 2018 | Proposition 2 | 52.75% | 47.25% | Initiative | Medical |
| Mississippi | 2020 | Ballot Measure 1 | 68.52% | 31.48% | Initiative | Medical |
| South Dakota | 2020 | Initiated Measure 26 | 69.92% | 30.08% | Initiative | Medical |
| Nebraska | 2024 | Initiative 437 | 71.05% | 28.95% | Initiative | Medical |
| Colorado | 2012 | Initiative 64 | 55.32% | 45.68% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Washington | 2012 | Initiative 502 | 55.70% | 44.30% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Washington, D.C. | 2014 | Initiative 71 | 70.06% | 29.94% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Alaska | 2014 | Ballot Measure 2 | 53.23% | 46.77% | Initiative | Recreational |
| California | 2016 | Proposition 64 | 57.13% | 42.87% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Massachusetts | 2016 | Question 4 | 53.66% | 46.34% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Maine | 2016 | Question 1 | 50.26% | 49.74% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Nevada | 2016 | Question 2 | 54.47% | 45.53% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Michigan | 2018 | Proposal 1 | 55.89% | 44.11% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Arizona | 2020 | Proposition 207 | 60.03% | 39.97% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Montana | 2020 | CI-118 | 57.84% | 42.16% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Montana | 2020 | I-190 | 56.90% | 43.10% | Initiative | Recreational |
| New Jersey | 2020 | Public Question 1 | 67.08% | 32.92% | Referral | Recreational |
| Maryland | 2022 | Question 4 | 67.20% | 32.80% | Referral | Recreational |
| Missouri | 2022 | Amendment 3 | 53.10% | 46.90% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Ohio | 2023 | Issue 2 | 57.19% | 42.81% | Initiative | Recreational |
Campaign finance
The table below shows the total contributions for each ballot measure to legalize marijuana for recreational or personal use from 2010 to 2024:
| State | Year | Measure | Support | Opposition | Total | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 2024 | North Dakota Initiated Measure 5 | $519,558.50 | $0.00 | $519,558.50 | Defeated |
| South Dakota | 2024 | South Dakota Initiated Measure 29 | $1,581,219.86 | $505,833.63 | $2,087,053.49 | Defeated |
| Florida | 2024 | Florida Amendment 3 | $153,787,032.89 | $33,610,084.06 | $187,397,116.95 | Defeated |
| Oklahoma | 2023 | State Question 820 | $5,034,948.71 | $279,450.26 | $5,314,398.97 | Defeated |
| Ohio | 2023 | Issue 2 | $6,739,421.22 | $927,900.00 | $7,667,321.22 | Approved |
| Maryland | 2022 | Question 4 | $428,848.87 | $5,500.00 | $434,348.87 | Approved |
| South Dakota | 2022 | Initiated Measure 27 | $181,249.32 | $512,855.02 | $694,104.34 | Defeated |
| North Dakota | 2022 | Statutory Measure 2 | $615,777.48 | $4,174.00 | $619,951.48 | Defeated |
| Arkansas | 2022 | Issue 4 | $14,147,002.74 | $2,298,696.19 | $16,445,698.93 | Defeated |
| Missouri | 2022 | Amendment 3 | $8,772,593.10 | $0.00 | $8,772,593.10 | Approved |
| New Jersey | 2020 | Public Question 1 | $1,081,544.92 | $8,875.00 | $1,090,419.92 | Approved |
| Arizona | 2020 | Proposition 207 | $5,986,533.55 | $1,058,173.00 | $7,044,706.55 | Approved |
| Montana | 2020 | I-190 | $7,476,501.07 | $323,170.00 | $7,799,671.07 | Approved |
| South Dakota | 2020 | Constitutional Amendment A | $2,353,264.16 | $259,035.00 | $2,612,299.16 | Approved |
| Michigan | 2018 | Proposal 1 | $3,731,704.31 | $2,671,208.26 | $6,402,912.57 | Approved |
| North Dakota | 2018 | Measure 3 | $88,519.29 | $343,938.11 | $432,457.40 | Defeated |
| Massachusetts | 2016 | Question 4 | $6,827,820.12 | $3,052,802.52 | $9,880,622.64 | Approved |
| Nevada | 2016 | Question 2 | $4,283,348.75 | $3,773,000.00 | $8,056,348.75 | Approved |
| Maine | 2016 | Question 1 | $3,444,892.94 | $294,282.06 | $3,739,175.00 | Approved |
| Arizona | 2016 | Proposition 205 | $6,547,688.96 | $6,368,195.67 | $12,915,884.63 | Defeated |
| California | 2016 | Proposition 64 | $25,066,820.98 | $2,077,438.80 | $27,144,259.78 | Approved |
| Ohio | 2015 | Issue 3 | $20,095,036.15 | $2,174,608.46 | $22,269,644.61 | Defeated |
| Oregon | 2014 | Measure 91 | $9,246,174.09 | $179,672.91 | $9,425,847.00 | Approved |
| Alaska | 2014 | Ballot Measure 2 | $1,035,401.40 | $173,302.64 | $1,208,704.04 | Approved |
| Washington | 2012 | Initiative 502 | $6,171,534.95 | $15,995.43 | $6,187,530.38 | Approved |
| Colorado | 2012 | Amendment 64 | $3,297,684.52 | $707,319.44 | $4,005,003.96 | Approved |
| California | 2010 | Proposition 19 | $4,327,327.49 | $339,532.09 | $4,666,859.58 | Defeated |
| Totals: | $302,548,806.02 | $61,251,113.47 | $363,799,919.49 |
Comparison of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana
The following table compares a selection of ballot measure provisions, such as possession limits, local control, taxes, and revenue dedications.
Click "Show" to expand the table.
| Comparison of marijuana ballot measure provisions, 2012-2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure | Possession limits | Homegrown plants | Local control | State taxes | Revenue |
| Marijuana legalization ballot measures that were approved, 2012-2023 | |||||
| Ohio Issue 2 (2023) | • 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates | • Six marijuana plants per individual or 12 plants per household | • A municipality cannot limit research on marijuana, levy a tax or fee on marijuana businesses, prohibit home growing of marijuana, or limit anything authorized by the initiative. A municipality can adopt an ordinance or resolution by a majority vote to prohibit or limit the number of cannabis operators in the territory. If such an ordinance or resolution is adopted, a dispensary needs to cease operations within 60 days. A dispensary can file a petition with the board of elections within the 60-day timeframe to request a public vote on whether or not the dispensary should remain open. | • 10% sales tax | • 36% to the cannabis social equity and jobs fund to fund the implementation of the program; 36% to the host community cannabis fund to provide funds to jurisdictions with adult-use dispensaries based on the percentage of adult-use tax attributable to each municipality or township; 25% to the substance abuse and addiction fund to fund the department of mental health and addiction services in alleviating substance and opiate abuse and supporting related research; and 3% to the division of cannabis control and tax commissioner fund to fund operations of the division of cannabis control. |
| Maryland Question 4 (2022) | • Not specified | • Not specified | • Not specified | • Not specified | • Not specified |
| Missouri Amendment 3 (2022) | • 3 ounces of marijuana | • Grow up to six flowering plants, six nonflowering plants, and six clones, if the person is registered to cultivate marijuana plants | • Local government may prohibit operation of all marijuana facilities located within its jurisdiction • Local government may enact ordinances governing time, place, and manner of operations of marijuana facilities, as well as the public smoking and consumption of marijuana products |
• 6% tax on retail price of recreational marijuana • Governing body of any local government may impose an additional sales tax to retail sales of marijuana that cannot exceed 3% |
• Veterans, Health, and Community Reinvestment Fund |
| Arizona Proposition 207 (2020) | • 1 ounce of marijuana • 5 grams (0.18 ounces) of marijuana concentrate |
• Grow up to 6 marijuana plants | • Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries | • 16% excise sales tax | • community college districts • police and fire departments and fire districts • highways • new criminal justice fund (restorative programs, mentoring, and behavioral health) |
| Montana I-190 (2020) | • 1 ounce of marijuana | • Individuals could grow up to four marijuana plants and four seedling in a private residence in a locked space | • A local government is not allowed to completely ban marijuana cultivators, testing facilities, wholesalers, or retail stores from operating in its limits; cannot prohibit the transportation of marijuana on public roads in its jurisdiction by those who are licensed to do so; allowed to pass ordinances to regulate an adult-use provider or adult-use marijuana-infused products that operate in its jurisdiction | • 20% sales tax | • After the tax revenue is used by the Department of Revenue to cover costs associated with implementing the initiative, 10.5% of the remaining revenue would be appropriated to the state's general fund, and the remainder would be appropriated to conservation programs, substance abuse treatment, veterans’ services, healthcare costs, and localities where marijuana is sold |
| New Jersey Amendment (2020) | • Not specified | • Not specified | • Not specified | • Subject to state sales tax • Prohibits additional state sales taxes on marijuana |
• Not specified |
| Michigan Proposal 1 (2018) | • 2.5 ounces of marijuana • 0.5 ounces of marijuana concentrate |
•Grow up to 12 marijuana plants | •Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries | •10% excise sales tax | •local governments •K-12 education •road and bridge maintenance |
| California Proposition 64 (2016) | • 1 ounce of marijuana • 0.3 ounces of marijuana concentrate |
•Grow up to 6 marijuana plants | •Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries | •15% excise sales tax •$9.25/ounce cultivation tax for flowers •$2.75/ounce cultivation tax for leaves |
•youth drug education, prevention, and treatment •prevent and fix environmental damage from illegal marijuana producers •marijuana DUI prevention and negative health effects programs |
| Nevada Question 2 (2016) | • 1 ounce of marijuana • 0.125 ounces of marijuana concentrate |
•Grow up to 6 marijuana plants | •Permits local ballot measures pertaining to zoning and land use for marijuana establishments | •15% excise sales | •K-12 education |
| Maine Question 1 (2016) | • 2.5 ounces of marijuana and/or marijuana concentrate | • Grow up to 6 marijuana plants | • Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries | • 10% excise sales tax •The legislature added a $20.94/ounce cultivation tax on flowers and mature plants; $5.88/ounce cultivation tax on marijuana trim; $1.50 tax per immature plant; $0.30 tax per immature plant |
•General Fund (legislature added public health programs and law enforcement programs) |
| Massachusetts Question 4 (2016) | • 10 ounces of marijuana in one's home • 1 ounce of marijuana in public • 0.2 ounces of marijuana concentrate |
• Grow up to 6 marijuana plants | • Municipalities allowed to limit number of establishments and restrict the time, place, and manner of their operation • Permits local ballot measures to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries |
• 3.75% excise sales tax (legislature increased to 10.75%) | • General Fund |
| Alaska Measure 2 (2014) | • 1 ounce of marijuana | • Grow up to 6 marijuana plants | • Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries | • $50/ounce cultivation tax | • General Fund |
| Oregon Measure 91 (2014) | • 8 ounces of marijuana in one's home • 1 ounce of marijuana in public • 1 ounce of marijuana concentrate |
• Grow up to 4 marijuana plants | • Permits local ballot measures to ban or limit marijuana establishments | • 17% excise sales tax (legislature added the excise sales tax) • $35/ounce producer tax for flowers • $10/ounce producer tax for leaves |
• K-12 education • drug prevention and treatment • state police • local law enforcement |
| Colorado Amendment 64 (2012) | • 1 ounce of marijuana • 1 ounce of marijuana concentrate |
• Grow up to 6 marijuana plants | • Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries | •Required the state legislature to enact taxes •In 2013, the legislature's Proposition AA enacted a 15% excise tax on unprocessed retail marijuana and 10% (increased to 15% in 2017) sales tax on retail sales |
• K-12 public education • Proposition AA added allocations for local governments, healthcare, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and law enforcement |
| Washington Initiative 502 (2012) | • 1 ounce of marijuana • 0.25 ounce of marijuana concentrate |
• Illegal | • Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries | •25% excise sales tax (legislature increased the tax to 37%) | • research • drug prevention, public health education • healthcare • dropout prevention, intervention • General Fund |
Political context of recreational marijuana ballot measures
The following table summarizes the political context surrounding recreational marijuana ballot measures, including whether the state's presidential voting history in the preceding three elections was Democratic, mixed, or Republican.
- Among states with Democratic presidential voting histories, eight marijuana legalization ballot measures were approved and one was defeated.
- Among states with Republican presidential voting histories, four marijuana legalization ballot measures were approved and nine were defeated.
- Among states with mixed presidential voting histories, three marijuana legalization ballot measures were approved and one was defeated.
Partisan control of the 15 states approving marijuana legalization measures was Democratic in four states, divided in five states, and Republican in six states. Partisan control of the eight states rejecting marijuana legalization measures was Democratic in one state, mixed in one state, and Republican in six states.
Click "Show" to expand the table.
| Political context surrounding recreational marijuana ballot measures since 2010 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Measure | Year | Status | Presidential voting history[15] | State partisan control at time of vote |
| California | Proposition 19 | 2010 |  |
Democratic (Gore-Kerry-Obama) | Democratic |
| Colorado | Amendment 64 | 2012 |  |
Mixed (Bush-Obama-Obama) | Divided |
| Washington | Initiative 502 | 2012 | |
Democratic (Kerry-Obama-Obama) | Democratic |
| Alaska | Measure 2 | 2014 | |
Republican (Bush-McCain-Romney) | Republican |
| Oregon | Measure 91 | 2014 | |
Democratic (Kerry-Obama-Obama) | Democratic |
| Ohio | Issue 3 | 2015 | |
Mixed (Bush-Obama-Obama) | Republican |
| Arizona | Proposition 205 | 2016 | |
Republican (McCain-Romney-Trump) | Republican |
| California | Proposition 64 | 2016 | |
Democratic (Obama-Obama-Clinton) | Democratic |
| Maine | Question 1 | 2016 | |
Democratic (Obama-Obama-Clinton) | Divided |
| Massachusetts | Question 4 | 2016 | |
Democratic (Obama-Obama-Clinton) | Divided |
| Nevada | Question 2 | 2016 | |
Democratic (Obama-Obama-Clinton) | Republican |
| North Dakota | Measure 3 | 2018 | |
Republican (McCain-Romney-Trump) | Republican |
| Michigan | Proposal 1 | 2018 | |
Mixed (Obama-Obama-Trump) | Republican |
| Arizona | Proposition 207 | 2020 | |
Mixed (Romney-Trump-Biden) | Republican |
| Montana | Initiative 190 | 2020 | |
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump) | Divided |
| New Jersey | Amendment | 2020 | |
Democratic (Obama-Clinton-Biden) | Democratic |
| South Dakota | Amendment A | 2020 | / |
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump) | Republican |
| Arkansas | Issue 4 | 2022 | |
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump) | Republican |
| Maryland | Question 4 | 2022 | |
Democratic (Obama-Clinton-Biden) | Divided |
| Missouri | Amendment 3 | 2022 | |
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump) | Republican |
| North Dakota | Measure 2 | 2022 | |
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump) | Republican |
| South Dakota | Measure 27 | 2022 | |
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump) | Republican |
| Oklahoma | State Question 820 | 2023 | |
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump) | Republican |
| Ohio | Issue 2 | 2023 | |
Mixed (Obama-Trump-Trump) | Republican |
| South Dakota | Initiated Measure 29 | 2024 | |
Republican (Trump-Trump-Trump) | Republican |
| North Dakota | Initiated Measure 5 | 2024 | |
Republican (Trump-Trump-Trump) | Republican |
| Florida | Amendment 3 | 2024 | |
Republican (Trump-Trump-Trump) | Republican |
List of all marijuana ballot measures since 1972
The following table lists marijuana-related ballot measures since 1972.
| State | Year | Measure | Outcome | Yes | No | Origin | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1972 | Proposition 19 | |
33.47% | 66.53% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Georgia | 1980 | Amendment 9 | |
64.88% | 35.12% | Referral | Other |
| Oregon | 1986 | Ballot Measure 5 | |
26.33% | 73.67% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Alaska | 1990 | Measure 2 | |
54.29% | 45.71% | Initiative | Other |
| Arizona | 1996 | Proposition 200 | |
65.41% | 34.59% | Initiative | Other |
| Washington | 1997 | Initiative 685 | |
39.57% | 60.43% | Initiative | Other |
| Alaska | 1998 | Measure 8 | |
58.67% | 41.33% | Initiative | Medical |
| Arizona | 1998 | Proposition 301 | |
53.54% | 46.46% | Initiative | Other |
| Nevada | 1998 | Question 9 | |
58.65% | 41.35% | Initiative | Medical |
| Oregon | 1998 | Measure 67 | |
54.60% | 45.40% | Initiative | Medical |
| Washington | 1998 | Initiative 692 | |
58.97% | 41.03% | Initiative | Medical |
| Arizona | 1998 | Proposition 300 | |
36.12% | 63.88% | Initiative | Medical |
| Oregon | 1998 | Measure 57 | |
33.54% | 66.46% | Initiative | Other |
| Maine | 1999 | Question 2 | |
61.41% | 38.59% | Initiative | Medical |
| California | 2000 | Proposition 36 | |
60.86% | 39.14% | Initiative | Other |
| Colorado | 2000 | Initiative 20 | |
53.78% | 46.22% | Initiative | Medical |
| Nevada | 2000 | Question 9 | |
65.38% | 34.62% | Initiative | Medical |
| Alaska | 2000 | Measure 5 | |
40.88% | 59.12% | Initiative | Other |
| Arizona | 2002 | Proposition 203 | |
42.65% | 57.35% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Nevada | 2002 | Question 9 | |
39.13% | 60.87% | Initiative | Other |
| South Dakota | 2002 | Initiative 1 | |
37.97% | 62.03% | Initiative | Other |
| Montana | 2004 | I-148 | |
61.81% | 38.19% | Initiative | Medical |
| Alaska | 2004 | Measure 2 | |
44.25% | 55.75% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Oregon | 2004 | Measure 33 | |
42.78% | 57.22% | Initiative | Medical |
| Colorado | 2006 | Initiative 44 | |
41.08% | 58.92% | Initiative | Other |
| Nevada | 2006 | Question 7 | |
44.08% | 55.92% | Initiative | Recreational |
| South Dakota | 2006 | Initiative 4 | |
47.70% | 52.30% | Initiative | Medical |
| Massachusetts | 2008 | Question 2 | |
65.25% | 34.75% | Initiative | Other |
| Michigan | 2008 | Proposal 1 | |
62.66% | 37.34% | Initiative | Medical |
| California | 2008 | Proposition 5 | |
40.52% | 59.48% | Initiative | Other |
| Maine | 2009 | Question 5 | |
58.87% | 41.13% | Initiative | Medical |
| California | 2010 | Proposition 19 | |
46.54% | 53.46% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Arizona | 2010 | Proposition 203 | |
50.1% | 49.9% | Initiative | Medical |
| Oregon | 2010 | Measure 74 | |
44.21% | 55.79% | Initiative | Medical |
| Montana | 2012 | IR-124 | |
57.25% | 42.75% | Initiative | Medical |
| Washington | 2012 | Initiative 502 | |
55.7% | 44.3% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Massachusetts | 2012 | Question 3 | |
63.3% | 36.7% | Initiative | Medical |
| Oregon | 2012 | Measure 80 | |
46.58% | 53.42% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Arkansas | 2012 | Issue 5 | |
48.56% | 51.44% | Initiative | Medical |
| Colorado | 2012 | Amendment 64 | |
55.32% | 44.68% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Colorado | 2013 | Proposition AA | |
65.27% | 34.73% | Referral | Other |
| Alaska | 2014 | Ballot Measure 2 | |
53.23% | 46.77% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Florida | 2014 | Amendment 2 | |
57.62% | 42.38% | Initiative | Medical |
| Washington | 2014 | Advisory Vote No. 8 | |
54.41% | 45.59% | Referral | Other |
| Oregon | 2014 | Measure 91 | |
56.11% | 43.89% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Colorado | 2015 | Proposition BB | |
69.39% | 30.61% | Referral | Other |
| Washington | 2015 | Advisory Vote No. 11 | |
41.27% | 58.73% | Referral | Medical |
| Ohio | 2015 | Issue 3 | |
36.35% | 63.65% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Arkansas | 2016 | Issue 6 | |
53.11% | 46.89% | Initiative | Medical |
| California | 2016 | Proposition 64 | |
57.13% | 42.87% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Massachusetts | 2016 | Question 4 | |
53.66% | 46.34% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Montana | 2016 | I-182 | |
57.87% | 42.13% | Initiative | Medical |
| Nevada | 2016 | Question 2 | |
54.47% | 45.53% | Initiative | Recreational |
| North Dakota | 2016 | Initiated Measure 5 | |
63.79% | 36.21% | Initiative | Medical |
| Arizona | 2016 | Proposition 205 | |
48.68% | 51.32% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Maine | 2016 | Question 1 | |
50.26% | 49.74% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Florida | 2016 | Amendment 2 | |
71.32% | 28.68% | Initiative | Medical |
| Colorado | 2018 | Amendment X | |
60.64% | 39.36% | Referral | Other |
| Michigan | 2018 | Proposal 1 | |
55.89% | 44.11% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Missouri | 2018 | Amendment 2 | |
65.59% | 34.41% | Initiative | Medical |
| Oklahoma | 2018 | State Question 788 | |
56.86% | 43.14% | Initiative | Medical |
| Utah | 2018 | Proposition 2 | |
52.75% | 47.25% | Initiative | Medical |
| Missouri | 2018 | Amendment 3 | |
31.50% | 68.50% | Initiative | Medical |
| Missouri | 2018 | Proposition C | |
43.57% | 56.43% | Initiative | Medical |
| North Dakota | 2018 | Measure 3 | |
40.55% | 59.45% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Arizona | 2020 | Proposition 207 | |
60.03% | 39.97% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Mississippi | 2020 | Ballot Measure 1 | / |
68.52% | 31.48% | Initiative | Medical |
| Montana | 2020 | CI-118 | |
57.84% | 42.16% | Initiative | Other |
| Montana | 2020 | I-190 | |
56.90% | 43.10% | Initiative | Recreational |
| New Jersey | 2020 | Public Question 1 | |
67.08% | 32.92% | Referral | Recreational |
| South Dakota | 2020 | Initiated Measure 26 | |
69.92% | 30.08% | Initiative | Medical |
| South Dakota | 2020 | Amendment A | / |
54.18% | 45.82% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Arkansas | 2022 | Issue 4 | |
43.75% | 56.25% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Maryland | 2022 | Question 4 | |
67.20% | 32.80% | Referral | Recreational |
| Missouri | 2022 | Amendment 3 | |
53.10% | 46.90% | Initiative | Recreational |
| North Dakota | 2022 | Measure 2 | |
45.06% | 54.94% | Initiative | Recreational |
| South Dakota | 2022 | Measure 27 | |
47.08% | 52.92% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Oklahoma | 2023 | State Question 820 | |
38.33% | 61.67% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Ohio | 2023 | Issue 2 | |
57.19% | 42.81% | Initiative | Recreational |
| Nebraska | 2024 | Issue 2 | |
71.05% | 28.95% | Initiative | Medical |
| Florida | 2024 | Amendment 4 | |
55.90% | 44.10 % | Initiative | Recreational |
| North Dakota | 2024 | Initiated Measure 5 | |
47.47% | 52.53% | Initiative | Recreational |
| South Dakota | 2024 | Initiated Measure 29 | |
44.46% | 55.54% | Initiative | Recreational |
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Medical Cannabis Laws," accessed June 11, 2022
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Cannabis Overview," accessed June 11, 2022
- ↑ This number does not include South Dakota, where voters approved a marijuana legalization initiative in 2020 that was later struck down by the state's supreme court
- ↑ MJ Biz Daily, "Delaware governor to let recreational cannabis legalization bills become law," accessed May 30, 2023
- ↑ Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "MJ Laws Map," accessed June 15, 2022
- ↑ Marijuana Policy Project, "Map of state marijuana laws," accessed June 15, 2022
- ↑ This number does not include South Dakota, where voters approved a marijuana legalization initiative in 2020 that was later struck down by the state's supreme court
- ↑ NORML, "Delaware: Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Into Law," accessed May 31, 2024
- ↑ MJ Biz Daily, "Minnesota governor signs adult-use marijuana legalization bill into law," accessed May 30, 2023
- ↑ MJ Biz Daily, "Delaware governor to let recreational cannabis legalization bills become law," accessed May 30, 2023
- ↑ Kentucky Governor, "Gov. Beshear Signs Historic Legislation Legalizing Medical Cannabis," March 31, 2023
- ↑ NORML, "Rhode Island Becomes 19th State to Legalize Marijuana for Adults," accessed June 16, 2022
- ↑ U.S. News, "Delaware Gov. John Carney Vetoes Marijuana Legalization Bill," accessed June 16, 2022
- ↑ Mississippi State Legislature, "Senate Bill 2095," accessed June 16, 2022
- ↑ Prior three elections before and/or including the election at which measure was voted on
