News and analysis right to your inbox. Click to get Ballotpedia’s newsletters!

History of marijuana ballot measures and laws: Difference between revisions

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(170 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{CLshort}}As of June 2021, 18 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of '''marijuana for recreational purposes'''.
{{BallotMeasureHistoryTopicVNT
|Name= marijuana ballot measures and law
|Link1=[[Marijuana laws ballot measures]]
|Link2=[[Drug crime policy ballot measures]]
}}
As of January 2026, 24 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of marijuana for recreational purposes, and 40 states and D.C. had legalized marijuana for medical purposes.<ref name=ncsl>[https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx ''National Conference of State Legislatures'', "State Medical Cannabis Laws," accessed November 18, 2025]</ref><ref>[https://www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/marijuana-overview.aspx ''National Conference of State Legislatures'', "Cannabis Overview," accessed June 11, 2022]</ref><ref>''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''</ref>


At the [[#Federalism question|federal level]], the cultivation, distribution, and use of marijuana have remained federal offenses.<ref name=arguments>[http://www.drugrehab.us/news/pros-cons-legalizing-recreational-marijuana/ ''DrugRehab.us'', "Pros and Cons of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana," accessed August 24, 2016]</ref>
{{TLDRbox
 
|Nebraska became the 40th state to legalize medical marijuana after voters approved an initiative in 2024.
{{TLDRbox|As of June 2021, 18 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized marijuana for recreational purposes; 12 through citizen initiatives, one through a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, and six through bills approved by state legislatures and signed by governors.<section end=rec/> An additional 13 states had decriminalized '''recreational marijuana''' usage.
|Three states (Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota) defeated marijuana legalization ballot measures on November 5, 2024.
|Vermont was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana through an act of the legislature when [[Phil Scott|Gov. Phil Scott]] (R) signed it into law on January 22, 2018. Illinois (2019), New York (2021), New Mexico (2021), Virginia (2021), and Connecticut (2021) had also done so as of June 2021.<ref name=Vermont>[http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/370139-vermont-governor-signs-marijuana-legalization-bill ''The Hill'', "Vermont governor signs marijuana legalization bill," January 22, 2018]</ref><ref name=IL2019>[https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/06/25/illinois-recreational-marijuana-law-governor-jb-pritzker/ ''CBS 2 Chicago'', "Governor JB Pritzker Signs Recreational Marijuana Law," June 25, 2019]</ref><ref name=VirginiaLegalization>[https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?212+sum+HB2312 ''Virginia State Legislature'', "HB 2312 Marijuana; legalization of simple possession, etc." accessed April 7, 2021]</ref><ref name=NMLegalized>[https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=2&year=21s ''New Mexico Legislature'', "House Bill 2," accessed April 12, 2021]</ref>
|{{Ballots-SU-November2023|Name = Ohio Issue 2|OB =Ohio voters will decide on a [[Ohio Issue 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2023)|marijuana legalization initiative]] on November 7, 2023.|APP =Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana on November 7, 2023, when voters approved [[Ohio Issue 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2023)|Issue 2]].|DEF=Ohio voters rejected a [[Ohio Issue 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2023)|marijuana legalization initiative]] on November 7, 2023.}}
|By 2019 population estimates, roughly '''46 percent''' of Americans {{Greener | start = 1/1/2022 | before = live| after = lived}} in a state (or Washington, D.C.) with legalized recreational marijuana; '''71 percent''' {{Greener | start = 1/1/2022 | before = live| after = lived}} in states with legalized medical marijuana.
|Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. [[Tim Walz]] (D) signed legislation on May 30, 2023.
|Oklahoma voters rejected a [[Oklahoma State Question 820, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (March 2023)|marijuana legalization initiative]] on March 7, 2023.
|Delaware became the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. [[John Carney]] (D) allowed House Bill 2 to become law without his signature on April 26, 2023.<ref>[https://mjbizdaily.com/delaware-governor-to-let-recreational-cannabis-legalization-bills-become-law/ ''MJ Biz Daily'', "Delaware governor to let recreational cannabis legalization bills become law," accessed May 30, 2023]</ref>
|On Nov. 8, 2022, measures to legalize marijuana were on the ballot in [[Arkansas Issue 4, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|Arkansas]], [[Maryland Question 4, Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2022)|Maryland]], [[Missouri Amendment 3, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|Missouri]], [[North Dakota Statutory Measure 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|North Dakota]], and [[South Dakota Initiated Measure 27, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|South Dakota]]. Voters in Maryland and Missouri approved the measures, and voters in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota rejected the measures.
}}
}}


==Overview==
===Recreational marijuana===
<section begin=rec/>
As of June 2021, 18 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized marijuana for recreational purposes; 12 through citizen initiatives, one through a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, and six through bills approved by state legislatures and signed by governors.<section end=rec/> An additional 13 states had decriminalized '''recreational marijuana''' usage. In those states, while recreational marijuana usage was illegal, violation typically results in a fine rather than arrest or jail time for first-time offenders.<ref>[https://www.mpp.org/issues/decriminalization/ ''Marijuana Policy Project'', "Decriminalization," accessed March 2, 2020]</ref> Based on 2019 population estimates, roughly 40% percent of Americans {{Greener | start = 1/1/2021 | before = live| after = lived}} in a jurisdiction with legalized recreational marijuana.
In 2012, Voters in [[Colorado Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Amendment 64 (2012)|Colorado]] and [[Washington Marijuana Legalization and Regulation, Initiative 502 (2012)|Washington]] became the first to legalize recreational marijuana when they did so through citizen-initiated measures.
The [[Vermont State Legislature]] approved a bill in mid-January 2018 to allow recreational marijuana, and [[Phil Scott|Gov. Phil Scott]] (R) signed it into law on January 22, 2018. Vermont was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana without voters approving a citizen initiative.<ref name=Vermont/><ref>[http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/334958-vermont-governor-vetoes-marijuana-legalization ''The Hill'', "Vermont governor vetoes marijuana legalization," May 24, 2017]</ref> The following states also legalized recreational marijuana through legislative action instead of a ballot measure:
* On June 25, 2019, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law legalizing the use and possession of recreational marijuana.<ref>[https://apnews.com/7b793d88f3c84417b83db0f770854960 ''Associated Press'', "Illinois becomes 11th state to allow recreational marijuana," June 25, 2019]</ref>
* On March 31, 2021, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a marijuana legalization bill.
* On April 7, 2021, the Virginia Legislature approved a gubernatorial substitute for a bill designed to legalize recreational marijuana effective July 1, 2021.
* On April 12, 2021, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) House Bill 2 legalizing and regulating recreational marijuana.
* On June 22, Connecticut Gov. [[Ned Lamont]] (D) signed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana.
Ballot measures legalizing recreational marijuana {{Greener| start=11/3/20 9pm CST|before=are|after=were}} approved by voters at the November 2020 election in  [[Arizona Proposition 207, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|Arizona]], [[Montana I-190, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|Montana]], [[New Jersey Public Question 1, Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2020)|New Jersey]], and [[South Dakota Constitutional Amendment A, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|South Dakota]].


The New Jersey measure was the first legislatively referred measure to legalize recreational marijuana.
'''See the sections below for further information on the following topics:'''
# '''[[#Marijuana laws by state|Marijuana laws by state]]'''
# '''[[#Noteworthy events since 2022|Noteworthy events since 2022]]'''
# '''[[#Upcoming ballot measures on marijuana|Upcoming marijuana ballot measures]]'''
# '''[[#Marijuana laws enacted by statewide ballot measures|Marijuana laws enacted by statewide ballot measures]]'''
# '''[[#Campaign finance|Campaign finance for ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana]]'''
# '''[[#Comparison of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana|Comparison of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana]]'''
# '''[[#Political context of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana|Political context of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana]]'''
# '''[[#List of all marijuana ballot measures since 1972|Marijuana ballot measures since 1972]]'''


The measure in South Dakota was ruled unconstitutional on February 8, 2021. The case was appealed to the state supreme court, which upheld the lower court ruling.


The map below details the legal status of recreational marijuana by state as of March 2021.
==Marijuana laws by state==
===Recreational marijuana by state===


{{RecreationalMarijuanaLegalityMap-Current}}
{{Recreationalmarijuana}}


The following table provides information about when and how recreational marijuana became legal.<br><br>
The following table provides information about when and how recreational marijuana became legal.


{| class="marqueetable endorsements" style="border:1px solid #424949; border-radius:5px; text-align=center;" cellpadding="6px" width="100%" tr="align:center"
{| class="bp table sortable" style="border:1px solid #424949; border-radius:5px; text-align=center;" cellpadding="6px" width="100%" tr="align:center"
! colspan="6" align="center" style="background-color: #424949; color:white"| Timeline and process of recreational marijuana legalization
! colspan="6" align="center" style="background-color: #424949; color:white"| Timeline and process of recreational marijuana legalization
|-
|-
Line 41: Line 41:
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Year legalized
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Year legalized
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Process used
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Process used
! colspan="2" style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Vote
! colspan="2" style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Votes on ballot measures
|-
|-
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | For
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | For
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Against
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Against
|-
|-
| [[Colorado]] || 2012 || [[Colorado Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Amendment 64 (2012)|Initiative]] || 55.32% || 45.68%
| [[Colorado]] || 2012 || [[Colorado Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Amendment 64 (2012)|Initiative]] || 55.32% || 44.68%
|-
|-
| [[Washington]] || 2012 || [[Washington Marijuana Legalization and Regulation, Initiative 502 (2012)|Initiative]] || 55.7% || 44.3%
| [[Washington]] || 2012 || [[Washington Marijuana Legalization and Regulation, Initiative 502 (2012)|Initiative]] || 55.70% || 44.30%
|-
|-
| [[Alaska]] || 2014 || [[Alaska Marijuana Legalization, Ballot Measure 2 (2014)|Initiative]] || 53.23% || 46.77%
| [[Alaska]] || 2014 || [[Alaska Marijuana Legalization, Ballot Measure 2 (2014)|Initiative]] || 53.23% || 46.77%
Line 70: Line 70:
| [[Illinois]] || 2019 || [[2019 Illinois legislative session|Legislation]] || ''N/A'' || ''N/A''  
| [[Illinois]] || 2019 || [[2019 Illinois legislative session|Legislation]] || ''N/A'' || ''N/A''  
|-
|-
| [[Arizona]] || 2020 || [[Arizona Proposition 207, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|Initiative]] || 60.03% || 39.97%<ref name=unofficial/>
| [[Arizona]] || 2020 || [[Arizona Proposition 207, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|Initiative]] || 60.03% || 39.97%
|-
|-
| [[Montana]] || 2020 || [[Montana I-190, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|Initiative]] || 56.90% || 43.10%
| [[Montana]] || 2020 || [[Montana I-190, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|Initiative]] || 56.90% || 43.10%
Line 83: Line 83:
|-
|-
| [[Connecticut]] || 2021 || [https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2021&bill_num=1201 Legislation] || ''N/A'' || ''N/A''
| [[Connecticut]] || 2021 || [https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2021&bill_num=1201 Legislation] || ''N/A'' || ''N/A''
<!--
|-
|-
| [[South Dakota]] || 2020 || [[South Dakota Constitutional Amendment A, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|Initiative]] || 54.18% || 45.82%
| [[Rhode Island]] || 2022 || [https://legiscan.com/RI/bill/H7593/2022#:~:text=Rhode%20Island%20House%20Bill%207593%20(Prior%20Session%20Legislation)&text=The%20Rhode%20Island%20Cannabis%20Act,and%20retail%20sale%20of%20cannabis. Legislation]  || ''N/A'' || ''N/A''
-->
|-
| [[Maryland]] || 2022 || [[Maryland Question 4, Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2022)|Referral]] || 67.20% || 32.80%
|-
| [[Missouri]] || 2022 || [[Missouri Amendment 3, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|Initiative]] || 53.10% || 46.90%
|-
| [[Delaware]] || 2023 || [https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail/129969 Legislation]  || ''N/A'' || ''N/A''
|-
| [[Minnesota]] || 2023 || [https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=house&f=HF100&ssn=0&y=2023 Legislation]  || ''N/A'' || ''N/A''
|-
| [[Ohio]] || 2023 || [[Ohio Issue 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2023)|Initiative]] || 57.19% || 42.81%
|-
|-
|}
|}


South Dakota voters approved [[South Dakota Constitutional Amendment A, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|a recreational marijuana legalization initiative]] on November 3, 2020. The measure was overturned, however, by a circuit court and by the state supreme court upon appeal.<ref name=unofficial/>
<html><iframe title="Processes used to legalize recreational marijuana " aria-label="Stacked Bars" id="datawrapper-chart-51cnR" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/51cnR/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="392" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></html>
 
<section end=Recreationalmarijuanabystate/>
 
===Medical marijuana by state===
<section begin=Medicalmarijuanabystate/>
As of January 2026, '''medical marijuana''' was legal in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Ten states (shaded grey in the map below) did not provide for a medical marijuana program.<ref name=ncsl/>
*Of the 40 states, 19 states established medical marijuana through the ballot initiative process.
* In 21 states, medical marijuana programs were established through legislation.
<html><iframe title="Medical marijuana laws by state" aria-label="Choropleth map" id="datawrapper-chart-msDwQ" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/msDwQ/10/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 75% !important; border: none;" height="535" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></html>
<section end=Medicalmarijuanabystate/>
 
==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 [mailto:editor@ballotpedia.org 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.<ref>[https://norml.org/blog/2024/05/29/delaware-governor-signs-medical-cannabis-expansion-bill-into-law/ ''NORML'', "Delaware: Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Into Law," accessed May 31, 2024]</ref>


===Medical marijuana===
*'''November 8, 2023''': Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana through voter approval of [[Ohio Issue 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2023)|Issue 2]], a citizen initiative.
{{Greener | start = 11/30/2017 | before = {{Verbatim marijuana}}|after =}}
::''See also: [[Medical marijuana]]''
{{#section:Medical marijuana|medicalmarijuana}}


===Trifecta analysis===
*'''May 30, 2023''':  Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. [[Tim Walz]] (D) signed legislation on May 30, 2023.<ref>[https://mjbizdaily.com/minnesota-gov-signs-adult-use-marijuana-legalization-bill/ ''MJ Biz Daily'', "Minnesota governor signs adult-use marijuana legalization bill into law," accessed May 30, 2023]</ref>


A [[state government trifecta]] occurs when one political party holds the governor's office, a majority in the state Senate, and a majority in the state House. At the start of 2021, there were 15 Democratic trifectas, 23 Republican trifectas, and 12 states with a divided government.
*'''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.<ref>[https://mjbizdaily.com/delaware-governor-to-let-recreational-cannabis-legalization-bills-become-law/ ''MJ Biz Daily'', "Delaware governor to let recreational cannabis legalization bills become law," accessed May 30, 2023]</ref>


Of the 18 states that had legalized recreational marijuana as of June 2021, 12 had Democratic trifectas, two had Republican trifectas, and four had divided governments.
* '''March 31, 2023''': Kentucky Gov. [[Andy Beshear]] (D) signed a medical marijuana bill, which was written to take effect on January 1, 2025.<ref>[https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=1728 ''Kentucky Governor'', "Gov. Beshear Signs Historic Legislation Legalizing Medical Cannabis," March 31, 2023]</ref>


==Background==
*'''November 9, 2022''':  Marijuana legalization measures were on the 2022 ballot in [[Arkansas Issue 4, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|Arkansas]], [[Maryland Question 4, Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2022)|Maryland]], [[Missouri Amendment 3, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|Missouri]], [[North Dakota Statutory Measure 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|North Dakota]], and [[South Dakota Initiated Measure 27, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|South Dakota]]. The measures were approved in Maryland and Missouri and were defeated in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
<table class="navbox" style="margin-top:auto; margin:auto; width:auto; font-size:100%; border:none; background-color:#ffffff;"><tr><td><div class="bp-dropdown-menu centered tab-dropdown">
<small>
*<span style="font-size:110%;">'''ON THIS TAB:'''</span>
* [[#History|History]]
* [[#Legalization in the United States|Legalization in the U.S.]]
**[[#Recreational marijuana|Recreational use]]
**[[#Medical marijuana|Medical use]]
* [[#History of marijuana on the ballot | Timeline]]
</small>
</div></td></tr></table>
===History===
[[File:Cannabis Plant.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A cannabis plant]]
Marijuana has been illegal in the United States since 1937, when [[Congress]] prohibited its use for recreational, industrial, and therapeutic purposes with the Marihuana {{sic}} Act of 1937. Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the drug and all its cannabinoid forms were classified as Schedule I substances, belonging to the same class as heroin (cocaine, by contrast, is a Substance II drug). Schedule I substances are considered to have a high potential for dependency and no accepted medical use; being classified as such made distribution of marijuana a federal offense. The table below compares Schedule I and Schedule II substances.<ref>[https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml ''U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration'', "Drug Scheduling," accessed September 16, 2016]</ref>


{| class="marqueetable endorsements" style="border:1px solid #424949; border-radius:5px; text-align=center;" cellpadding="6px" width="75%" tr="align:center"
*'''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.<ref>[https://norml.org/blog/2022/05/25/rhode-island-becomes-19th-state-to-legalize-marijuana-for-adults/ ''NORML'', "Rhode Island Becomes 19th State to Legalize Marijuana for Adults," accessed June 16, 2022]</ref>
! colspan="2" align="center" style="background-color: #424949; color:white"| Schedule I and Schedule II substances
 
|-
*'''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.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-05-24/delaware-governor-vetoes-marijuana-legalization-bill ''U.S. News'', "Delaware Gov. John Carney Vetoes Marijuana Legalization Bill," accessed June 16, 2022]</ref>
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Schedule
 
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Substances
*'''February 2, 2022''': Mississippi Gov. [[Tate Reeves]] (R) signed a medical marijuana bill (Senate Bill 2095) after a [[Mississippi Ballot Measure 1, Initiative 65 and Alternative 65A, Medical Marijuana Amendment (2020)|voter-approved initiative]] to legalize medical marijuana was overturned by the state supreme court in 2021.<ref>[http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2022/pdf/history/SB/SB2095.xml ''Mississippi State Legislature'', "Senate Bill 2095," accessed June 16, 2022]</ref>
|-
| Schedule I || Heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, peyote
|-
| Schedule II || Combination products with less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage unit (Vicodin), cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall, Ritalin
|-
| colspan="5" align="left" style="background-color: #C8CCD0"| <small>'''Source''': [https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml ''U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration'', "Drug Scheduling," accessed September 16, 2016]</small>
|}
<br>
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has been the federal agency working to eradicate the growth of marijuana on American soil since 1979 through its Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program (DCE/SP). In 2014 the program "was responsible for the eradication of 3,904,213 cultivated outdoor cannabis plants and 396,620 indoor plants for a total of 4,300,833 marijuana plants ... In addition, the DCE/SP accounted for 6,310 arrests and the seizure in excess of 27.3 million dollars of cultivator assets. The program also removed 4,989 weapons from cannabis cultivators."<ref>[http://www.dea.gov/ops/cannabis.shtml ''U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency'', "Domestic Cannabis Eradication / Suppression Program," accessed May 27, 2016]</ref>


===Legalization in the United States===
==Upcoming and recent marijuana ballot measures==
'''Medical''':
''See also: [[Marijuana laws ballot measures]]''


The first marijuana-related ballot measure appeared on [[California Marijuana Legalization, Proposition 19 (1972)|California's ballot in 1972]]. Proposition 19, which would have decriminalized the use of marijuana by adults, was defeated, with 66.5 percent of voters opposing the measure. Twenty-four years later, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana with 1996's [[California Proposition 215, Medical Marijuana Initiative (1996)|Proposition 215]]. [[Alaska Medical Marijuana Act, Measure 8 (1998)|Alaska]] and [[Oregon Medical Marijuana, Measure 67 (1998)|Oregon]] followed suit in 1998. {{#section:Marijuana laws in the United States|MedMarijuanaStatus}}
===2024===
<div class="testing_div" id = "short_name">
<APIWidget template="BallotMeasuresTableById" where="ballot_measures.id in (26068, 25925, 23240)" extra_params='{"display_district_short_name":true, "fields":"state, year, status, type, votes"}'/>
</div>


'''Recreational''':
===2023===
<div class="testing_div" id = "short_name">
<APIWidget template="BallotMeasuresTableById" where="ballot_measures.id in (23183, 22594)" extra_params='{"display_district_short_name":true, "fields":"state, year, status, type, votes"}'/>
</div>


{{#section:Marijuana laws in the United States|RecMarijuanaStatus}}
===2022===
<div class="testing_div" id = "short_name">
<APIWidget template="BallotMeasuresTableById" where="ballot_measures.id in (22138, 22075, 22350, 22352, 22157)" extra_params='{"display_district_short_name":true, "fields":"state, year, status, type, votes"}'/>
</div>


====History of marijuana on the ballot====
==Marijuana laws enacted by statewide ballot measures==
::''See also: [[History of marijuana on the ballot]]''
The following table provides information on states that have legalized recreational marijuana or medical marijuana through state ballot measures.
{{#section: History of marijuana on the ballot |marijuanahistory}}


==Major issues==
{|class="bptable sortable"  
<table class="navbox" style="margin-top:auto; margin:auto; width:auto; font-size:100%; border:none; background-color:#ffffff;"><tr><td><div class="bp-dropdown-menu centered tab-dropdown">
|-
<small>
! State || Year || Measure || Yes || No || Origin || Type
*<span style="font-size:110%;">'''ON THIS TAB:'''</span>
|-
* [[#Usage|Usage]]
| Alaska || 1998 || [[Alaska Medical Marijuana Act, Measure 8 (1998)|Measure 8]] || 58.67% || 41.33% || Initiative || Medical
* [[#Crime and incarceration|Crime and incarceration]]
|-
* Arguments
| Nevada || 1998 || [[Nevada Medical Marijuana Act, Question 9 (1998)|Question 9]] || 58.65% || 41.35% || Initiative || Medical
**[[#Arguments supporting marijuana legalization|Arguments in favor of legalization]]
|-
**[[#Arguments opposing marijuana legalization|Arguments against legalization]]
| Oregon || 1998 || [[Oregon Medical Marijuana, Measure 67 (1998)|Measure 67]] || 54.60% || 45.40% || Initiative || Medical
* [[#Public opinion | Public opinion]]
|-
</small>
| Washington || 1998 || [[Washington Medical Marijuana, Initiative 692 (1998)|Initiative 692]] || 58.97% || 41.03% || Initiative || Medical
</div></td></tr></table>
|-
===Usage===
| Maine || 1999 || [[Maine Medical Marijuana for Specific Illnesses, Question 2 (1999)|Question 2]] || 61.41% || 38.59% || Initiative || Medical
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 27.7 million American citizens aged 12 and older were current marijuana users in 2018 (meaning that they had used marijuana within the past month). This amounted to roughly 10.1 percent of the population aged 12 and older. See the table below for further details, including breakdowns by age bracket.<ref>[https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2018-nsduh-detailed-tables ''Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration'', "2018 NSDUH Detailed Tables (Table 1.7B)," August 20, 2019]</ref><ref>[https://datafiles.samhsa.gov/study-series/national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-nid13517 ''Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration'', "NSDUH data files page," accessed March 2, 2020]</ref>
|-
{| class="marqueetable endorsements" style="border:1px solid #424949; border-radius:5px; text-align=center;" cellpadding="6px" width="100%" tr="align:center"
| Colorado || 2000 || [[Colorado Medical Use of Marijuana, Initiative 20 (2000)|Initiative 20]] || 53.78% || 46.22% || Initiative || Medical
! colspan="5" align="center" style="background-color: #424949; color:white"| Marijuana usage as a percentage of the population by age bracket, 2002-2018
|-
| Nevada || 2000 || [[Nevada Medical Marijuana Act, Question 9 (2000)|Question 9]] || 65.38% || 34.62% || Initiative || Medical
|-
| Montana || 2004 || [[Montana Medical Marijuana Allowance, I-148 (2004)|I-148]] || 61.81% || 38.19% || Initiative || Medical
|-
| Michigan || 2008 || [[Michigan Medical Marijuana Initiative, Proposal 1 (2008)|Proposal 1]] || 62.66% || 37.34% || Initiative || Medical
|-
| Maine || 2009 || [[Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative, Question 5 (2009)|Question 5]] || 58.87% || 41.13% || Initiative || Medical
|-
| Arkansas || 2016 || [[Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, Issue 6 (2016)| Issue 6]] || 53.11% || 46.89% || Initiative || Medical
|-
| Montana || 2016 || [[Montana Medical Marijuana Initiative, I-182 (2016)|I-182]] || 57.87% || 42.13% || Initiative || Medical
|-
| North Dakota || 2016 || [[North Dakota Medical Marijuana Legalization, Initiated Statutory Measure 5 (2016)|Measure 5]] || 63.79% || 36.21% || Initiative || Medical
|-
| Missouri || 2018 || [[Missouri Amendment 2, Medical Marijuana and Veteran Healthcare Services Initiative (2018)|Amendment 2]] || 65.59% || 34.41% || Initiative || Medical
|-
| Oklahoma || 2018 || [[Oklahoma State Question 788, Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative (June 2018)|State Question 788]] || 56.86% || 43.14% || Initiative || Medical
|-
| Utah || 2018 || [[Utah Proposition 2, Medical Marijuana Initiative (2018)|Proposition 2]] || 52.75% || 47.25% || Initiative || Medical
|-
| Mississippi || 2020 || [[Mississippi Ballot Measure 1, Initiative 65 and Alternative 65A, Medical Marijuana Amendment (2020)|Ballot Measure 1]] || 68.52% || 31.48% || Initiative || Medical
|-
|-
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Year
| South Dakota|| 2020 || [[South Dakota Initiated Measure 26, Medical Marijuana Initiative (2020)|Initiated Measure 26]] || 69.92% || 30.08% || Initiative || Medical
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | 12 and older
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | 12 to 17
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | 18 to 25
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | 26 and older
|-
|-
| 2002||6.2%||8.2%||17.3%||4.0%
| Nebraska || 2024 || [[Nebraska Initiative 437, Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2024)|Initiative 437]]  || 71.05% || 28.95% || Initiative || Medical
|-
|-
| 2003||6.2%||7.9%||17.0%||4.0%
| Colorado || 2012 || [[Colorado Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Amendment 64 (2012)|Initiative 64]] || 55.32% || 45.68% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2004||6.1%||7.6%||16.1%||4.1%
| Washington || 2012 || [[Washington Marijuana Legalization and Regulation, Initiative 502 (2012)|Initiative 502]] || 55.70% || 44.30% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2005||6.0%||6.8%||16.6%||4.1%
| Washington, D.C. || 2014 || [[Washington D.C. Marijuana Legalization, Initiative 71 (November 2014)|Initiative 71]] || 70.06% || 29.94% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2006||6.0%||6.7%||16.3%||4.2%
| Alaska || 2014 || [[Alaska Marijuana Legalization, Ballot Measure 2 (2014)|Ballot Measure 2]] || 53.23% || 46.77% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2007||5.8%||6.7%||16.5%||3.9%
| California || 2016 || [[California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization (2016)|Proposition 64]] || 57.13% || 42.87% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2008||6.1%||6.7%||16.6%||4.2%
| Massachusetts || 2016 || [[Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization, Question 4 (2016)|Question 4]] || 53.66% || 46.34% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2009||6.7%||7.4%||18.2%||4.6%
| Maine || 2016 || [[Maine Marijuana Legalization, Question 1 (2016)|Question 1]] || 50.26% || 49.74% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2010||6.9%||7.4%||18.5%||4.8%
| Nevada || 2016 || [[Nevada Marijuana Legalization, Question 2 (2016)|Question 2]] || 54.47% || 45.53% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2011||7.0%||7.9%||19.0%||4.8%
| Michigan || 2018 || [[Michigan Proposal 1, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2018)|Proposal 1]] || 55.89% || 44.11% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2012||7.3%||7.2%||18.7%||5.3%
| Arizona || 2020 || [[Arizona Proposition 207, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|Proposition 207]] || 60.03% || 39.97% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2013||7.5%||7.1%||19.1%||5.6%
| Montana || 2020 || [[Montana CI-118, Allow for a Legal Age for Marijuana Amendment (2020)|CI-118]] || 57.84% || 42.16% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2014||8.4%||7.4%||19.6%||6.6%
| Montana || 2020 || [[Montana I-190, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|I-190]] || 56.90% || 43.10% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2015||8.3%||7.0%||19.8%||6.5%
| New Jersey || 2020 || [[New Jersey Public Question 1, Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2020)|Public Question 1]] || 67.08% || 32.92% || Referral || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2016||8.9%||6.5%||20.8%||7.2%
| Maryland || 2022 || [[Maryland Question 4, Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2022)|Question 4]]  || 67.20% || 32.80% || Referral || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2017||9.6%||6.5%||22.1%||7.9%
| Missouri || 2022 || [[Missouri Amendment 3, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|Amendment 3]]  || 53.10% || 46.90% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| 2018||10.1%||6.7%||22.1%||8.6%
| Ohio|| 2023 || [[Ohio Issue 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2023)|Issue 2]]  || 57.19% || 42.81% || Initiative || Recreational
|-
|-
| colspan="5" align="left" style="background-color: #C8CCD0"| <small>'''2017- 2018 Source available''': [https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2018-nsduh-detailed-tables ''Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration'', "2018 NSDUH Detailed Tables (Table 1.7B)," August 20, 2019].<br>''Earlier data can be found [https://datafiles.samhsa.gov/study-series/national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-nid13517 here]''.</small>
|}
|}


===Crime and incarceration===
==Campaign finance==
According to the [[FBI]], there were 10,310,960 total arrests in the United States in 2018, the most recent year for which full data were available. Of that total, an estimated 1,167,296 arrests were related to drug abuse violations. Marijuana violations comprised the highest percentage of that subtotal. Of all drug-related violations, 36.8 percent, or 429,565, were related to marijuana possession; 4.4 percent, or 51,361, were related to the sale or manufacture of marijuana.<ref>[https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2018/crime-in-the-u.s.-2018/topic-pages/persons-arrested ''Federal Bureau of Investigation'', "2018: Crime in the United States (Persons Arrested)," accessed March 2, 2020]</ref>
The table below shows the total contributions for each ballot measure to legalize marijuana for recreational or personal use from 2010 to 2024:
 
{|class="bptable sortable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="1" style="background:none" style="width:auto;"
===Arguments supporting marijuana legalization===
|-
Proponents of the legalization of recreational marijuana make the following general arguments in support of their position:<ref name=arguments>[http://www.drugrehab.us/news/pros-cons-legalizing-recreational-marijuana/ ''DrugRehab.us'', "Pros and Cons of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana," accessed August 24, 2016]</ref>
! style="background-color:#00008B; color: white; width:15%" | State
# '''Increased revenues for state and local governments''': Proponents argue that, by making recreational marijuana legal, state and local governments can levy taxes on cannabis products, thereby generating revenues for government services.  
! style="background-color:#00008B; color: white; width:10%" | Year
# '''Enabling law enforcement officers and criminal justice officials to focus on other crimes''': Proponents argue that, If recreational marijuana use is legalized, law enforcement officers and criminal justice officials will be able to spend more time pursuing other crimes, such as violent offenses.  
! style="background-color:#00008B; color: white; width:20%" | Measure
# '''Improved safety via regulation''': Proponents argue that, if marijuana is legalized, it will be subject to government regulation, which may result in a safer product.
! style="background-color:#00008B; color: white; width:15%" | Support
 
! style="background-color:#00008B; color: white; width:15%" | Opposition
===Arguments opposing marijuana legalization===
! style="background-color:#00008B; color: white; width:15%" | Total
Opponents of the legalization of recreational marijuana make the following general arguments in support of their position:<ref name=arguments>[http://www.drugrehab.us/news/pros-cons-legalizing-recreational-marijuana/ ''DrugRehab.us'', "Pros and Cons of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana," accessed August 24, 2016]</ref>
! style="background-color:#00008B; color: white; width:15%" | Outcome
# '''Addictiveness''': Opponents argue that any revenues generated by marijuana legalization could be offset by the costs of treating users who become addicted the drug.
|-
# '''Gateway drug''': Opponents argue marijuana functions as a gateway drug, leading users to experiment with and become addicted to other drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.  
| North Dakota || 2024 || [[North Dakota Initiated Measure 5, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2024)|North Dakota Initiated Measure 5]] || $519,558.50 || $0.00 || $519,558.50 || Defeated
# '''Health''': Opponents argue that marijuana use can lead to a host of health problems, including lung cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and mental health conditions.
|-
 
| South Dakota || 2024 || [[South Dakota Initiated Measure 29, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2024)|South Dakota Initiated Measure 29]] || $1,581,219.86 || $505,833.63 || $2,087,053.49|| Defeated
===Public opinion===
|-
<section begin=MarijuanaPublicOpinion/>
| Florida || 2024 || [[Florida Amendment 3, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2024)|Florida Amendment 3]] || $153,787,032.89 || $33,610,084.06 || $187,397,116.95 || Defeated
Gallup, a national polling firm, first began surveying Americans about legalizing marijuana use in 1969. At that time, only 12 percent of all adults supported legalization. Since then, support for legalization has increased significantly. In 2019, a majority of American adults—66 percent—supported legalization. The table below breaks down support for legalization by age bracket.<ref>[https://news.gallup.com/poll/267698/support-legal-marijuana-steady-past-year.aspx ''Gallup.com'', "U.S. Support for Legal Marijuana Steady in Past Year," October 23, 2019]</ref><ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/186260/back-legal-marijuana.aspx ''Gallup.com'', "In U.S., 58% Back Legal Marijuana Use," October 21, 2015]</ref>
|-
 
| Oklahoma || 2023 || [[Oklahoma State Question 820, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (March 2023)|State Question 820]] || $5,034,948.71 || $279,450.26 || $5,314,398.97 || Defeated
{| class="marqueetable endorsements" style="border:1px solid #424949; border-radius:5px; text-align=center;" cellpadding="6px" width="100%" tr="align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" align="center" style="background-color: #424949; color:white"| '''Support for marijuana legalization by age bracket, 1969 to 2019 (selected years)'''
| Ohio || 2023 || [[Ohio Issue 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2023)|Issue 2]] || $6,739,421.22 || $927,900.00 || $7,667,321.22 || Approved
|-
| Maryland || 2022 || [[Maryland Question 4, Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2022)|Question 4]] || $428,848.87 || $5,500.00 || $434,348.87 || Approved
|-
| South Dakota || 2022 || [[South Dakota Initiated Measure 27, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|Initiated Measure 27]] || $181,249.32 || $512,855.02 || $694,104.34 || Defeated
|-
| North Dakota || 2022 || [[North Dakota Statutory Measure 2, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|Statutory Measure 2]] || $615,777.48 || $4,174.00 || $619,951.48 || Defeated
|-
| Arkansas || 2022 || [[Arkansas Issue 4, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|Issue 4]] || $14,147,002.74 || $2,298,696.19 || $16,445,698.93 || Defeated
|-
| Missouri || 2022 || [[Missouri Amendment 3, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)|Amendment 3]] || $8,772,593.10 || $0.00 || $8,772,593.10 || Approved
|-
| New Jersey || 2020 || [[New Jersey Public Question 1, Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2020)|Public Question 1]] || $1,081,544.92 || $8,875.00 || $1,090,419.92 || Approved
|-
|-
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Year
| Arizona || 2020 || [[Arizona Proposition 207, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|Proposition 207]] || $5,986,533.55 || $1,058,173.00 || $7,044,706.55 || Approved
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | All adults
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | 18 to 34
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | 35 to 49
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | 50 to 64
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | 65 and older
|-
|-
| 2019 || 66% || 81% || 71% || 62% || 49%
| Montana || 2020 || [[Montana I-190, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|I-190]] || $7,476,501.07 || $323,170.00 || $7,799,671.07 || Approved
|-
|-
| 2015 || 58% || 71% || 64% || 58% || 35%
| South Dakota || 2020 || [[South Dakota Constitutional Amendment A, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)|Constitutional Amendment A]] || $2,353,264.16 || $259,035.00 || $2,612,299.16 || Approved
|-
|-
| 2000/2001 || 33% || 44% || 34% || 30% || 17%
| Michigan || 2018 || [[Michigan Proposal 1, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2018)|Proposal 1]] || $3,731,704.31 || $2,671,208.26 || $6,402,912.57 || Approved
|-
|-
| 1985 || 23% || 32% || 22% || 16% || 13%
| North Dakota || 2018 || [[North Dakota Measure 3, Marijuana Legalization and Automatic Expungement Initiative (2018)|Measure 3]] || $88,519.29 || $343,938.11 || $432,457.40 || Defeated
|-
|-
| 1969 || 12% || 20% || 11% || 6% || 4%
| Massachusetts || 2016 || [[Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization, Question 4 (2016)|Question 4]] || $6,827,820.12 || $3,052,802.52 || $9,880,622.64 || Approved
|-
|-
| colspan="6" align="left" style="background-color: #C8CCD0"| <small>'''2019 source''': [https://news.gallup.com/poll/267698/support-legal-marijuana-steady-past-year.aspx ''Gallup.com'', "U.S. Support for Legal Marijuana Steady in Past Year," October 23, 2019]. ''Previous year data available [http://www.gallup.com/poll/186260/back-legal-marijuana.aspx here]</small>
| Nevada || 2016 || [[Nevada Marijuana Legalization, Question 2 (2016)|Question 2]] || $4,283,348.75 || $3,773,000.00 || $8,056,348.75 || Approved
|}
<section end=MarijuanaPublicOpinion/><br>
====Support for legalization by political party affiliation====
According to a 2019 poll by Quinnipiac University, support for marijuana legalization differed according to political party affiliation, with Democrats and independents generally favoring legalization and Republicans generally opposing legalization. See the table below for further details.<ref name=qunnipiac>[https://poll.qu.edu/images/polling/us/us03062019_uenh42.pdf ''Quinnipiac University'', "U.S. Voters Oppose Trump Emergency Powers on Wall 2-1 Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 86% Back Democrats' Bill on Gun Background Checks," March 6, 2019]</ref>
 
{| class="marqueetable endorsements" style="border:1px solid #424949; border-radius:5px; text-align=center;" cellpadding="6px" width="100%" tr="align:center"
! colspan="6" align="center" style="background-color: #424949; color:white"| Support for marijuana legalization by political party affiliation, 2019
|-
|-
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" |  
| Maine || 2016 || [[Maine Marijuana Legalization, Question 1 (2016)|Question 1]] || $3,444,892.94 || $294,282.06 || $3,739,175.00 || Approved
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Democrats
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Republicans
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Independents
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Total
|-
|-
| Support for legalization || 73% || 40% || 64% || 60%
| Arizona || 2016 || [[Arizona Marijuana Legalization, Proposition 205 (2016)|Proposition 205]] || $6,547,688.96 || $6,368,195.67 || $12,915,884.63 || Defeated
|-
|-
| Opposition to legalization || 20% || 52% || 31% || 33%
| California || 2016 || [[California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization (2016)|Proposition 64]] || $25,066,820.98 || $2,077,438.80 || $27,144,259.78 || Approved
|-
|-
| Undecided || 8% || 8% || 5% || 7%
| Ohio || 2015 || [[Ohio Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Issue 3 (2015)|Issue 3]] || $20,095,036.15 || $2,174,608.46 || $22,269,644.61 || Defeated
|-
|-
| colspan="6" align="align-left" style="background-color: #C8CCD0"| <small>'''Source''': [https://poll.qu.edu/images/polling/us/us03062019_uenh42.pdf ''Quinnipiac University'', "U.S. Voters Oppose Trump Emergency Powers on Wall 2-1 Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds," March 6, 2019]</small>
| Oregon || 2014 || [[Oregon Legalized Marijuana Initiative, Measure 91 (2014)|Measure 91]] || $9,246,174.09 || $179,672.91 || $9,425,847.00 || Approved
|}
<br>
However, the same poll found significantly higher support across all partisan affiliations for the legalization of medical marijuana. See the table below for further details.<ref name=qunnipiac/>
 
{| class="marqueetable endorsements" style="border:1px solid #424949; border-radius:5px; text-align=center;" cellpadding="6px" width="100%" tr="align:center"
! colspan="6" align="center" style="background-color: #424949; color:white"| Support for medical marijuana legalization by political party affiliation, 2019
|-
|-
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" |  
| Alaska || 2014 || [[Alaska Marijuana Legalization, Ballot Measure 2 (2014)|Ballot Measure 2]] || $1,035,401.40 || $173,302.64 || $1,208,704.04 || Approved
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Democrats
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Republicans
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Independents
! style="background-color:#C8CCD0; border-radius:0px;" | Total
|-
|-
| Support for legalization || 96% || 86% || 96% || 93%
| Washington || 2012 || [[Washington Initiative 502, Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Measure (2012)|Initiative 502]] || $6,171,534.95 || $15,995.43 || $6,187,530.38 || Approved
|-
|-
| Opposition to legalization || 3% || 12% || 3% || 5%
| Colorado || 2012 || [[Colorado Amendment 64, Regulation of Marijuana Initiative (2012)|Amendment 64]] || $3,297,684.52 || $707,319.44 || $4,005,003.96 || Approved
|-
|-
| Undecided || 1% || 2% || 1% || 2%
| California || 2010 || [[California Proposition 19, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2010)|Proposition 19]] || $4,327,327.49 || $339,532.09 || $4,666,859.58 || Defeated
|-
|-
| colspan="6" align="align-left" style="background-color: #C8CCD0"| <small>'''Source''': [https://poll.qu.edu/images/polling/us/us03062019_uenh42.pdf ''Quinnipiac University'', "U.S. Voters Oppose Trump Emergency Powers on Wall 2-1 Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds," March 6, 2019]</small>
|-class="sortbottom"
| '''Totals:''' || ||  || '''$302,548,806.02''' || '''$61,251,113.47''' || '''$363,799,919.49''' ||
|}
|}


==Federalism question==
==Political context of recreational marijuana ballot measures==
::''See also: [[Preemption conflicts between state and local governments]]''
{{MarijuanaMeasurePoliticalContext}}
[[File:Seal of the United States Department of Justice.svg|thumb|200px|right|Seal of the United States Department of Justice]]
At the federal level, the cultivation, distribution, and use of marijuana have remained federal offenses. When states began to legalize it, first for medical and then for personal use, enforcement became more complicated because states enforce their own narcotics statutes. This caused a conflict between the federal and state governments: what was illegal at the federal level was now legal in some places at the state level. Consequently, the Obama administration in October 2009 encouraged federal prosecutors not to prosecute individuals distributing or using marijuana for medical purposes in accordance with state law.<ref>[http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx ''National Conference of State Legislatures'', "State Medical Marijuana Laws," April 18, 2016]</ref>
 
On August 29, 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice made another announcement regarding its marijuana enforcement policy: "In a new memorandum outlining the policy, the Department makes clear that marijuana remains an illegal drug under the Controlled Substances Act and that federal prosecutors will continue to aggressively enforce this statute ... Based on assurances that those states will impose an appropriately strict regulatory system, the Department has informed the governors of [Colorado and Washington, which legalized the recreational use of marijuana in 2012] that it is deferring its right to challenge their legalization laws at this time."<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-update-marijuana-enforcement-policy ''U.S. Department of Justice'', "Justice Department Announces Update to Marijuana Enforcement Policy,", August 29, 2013]</ref>
 
On August 11, 2016, the federal government rejected a proposal to declassify marijuana as an illegal Schedule I drug and to allow [[Medical_marijuana|marijuana to be used for medical purposes]]. The [[Food_and_Drug_Administration|Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) stated that marijuana has not been proven scientifically to be medically safe or effective; therefore, the [[Drug_Enforcement_Administration|Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)]] could not allow the drug to be declassified.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/08/10/u-s-affirms-its-prohibition-on-medical-marijuana/?utm_campaign=2016-08-11%20Stateline%20Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Pew ''The Washington Post'', "U.S. affirms its prohibition on medical marijuana," August 11, 2016]</ref>
 
{{#section:Federal policy on marijuana, 2017-2018|2018FarmBill}}
 
{{Ongoing news|Team=Ballots|Project=SBM|hide=yes|Writer = Josh Altic | Story description = update DPL's for the right year and review entire article |Last checked = October 5, 2021}}
 
==Ballot measures==
===Statewide measures===
{{Marijuana}}
Below are lists of the certified and proposed marijuana ballot measures that were intended for 2020 ballots:
 
====Potential marijuana-related ballot measures====
 
'''2022:'''
{{#dpl:
|category =  Marijuana, 2022
|notcategory = Certified, marijuana, 2022
|namespace =
|noresultsheader = ''No measures''
|format=,\n#[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]
}}
 
'''2021:'''
{{#dpl:
|category =  Marijuana, 2021
|notcategory = Certified, marijuana, 2021
|namespace =
|noresultsheader = ''No measures''
|format=,\n#[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]
}}
 
====Certified marijuana-related ballot measures====
 
'''2020:'''
{{#dpl:
|category = Certified, marijuana, 2020
|include = {Ballot box}:statusimage
|notnamespace = Template
|mode = ordered
|noresultsheader = ''No measures''
|secseparators = &nbsp;,
}}
 
===Local ballot measures===
'''Local marijuana on the ballot:''' This topic refers to local ballot measures regarding the local regulation of marijuana sales and use.


'''2020:'''
==List of all marijuana ballot measures since 1972==
{{#dpl:
The following table lists marijuana-related ballot measures since 1972.
|categorymatch = Local marijuana,%
|category = Local ballots, 2020
|namespace =
|mode=ordered
|noresultsheader = ''No measures''
}}


'''2019:'''
{{MarijuanaMeasuresFullList}}
{{#dpl:
|categorymatch =  Local marijuana,%
|category = Local ballots, 2019
|namespace =
|mode=ordered
|noresultsheader = ''No measures''
}}
 
==News feed==
===Recent news===
{{News feed form
|Term1=Marijuana
|Term2=legalization
|Term3=ballot
|Term4=
|Term5=
}}


==See also==
==See also==
<gallery mode="packed-overlay" widths=200px heights=200px perrow=4 caption=>
*[[Marijuana on the ballot]]
File:Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png|''[[Elections|2016 coverage on Ballotpedia]]''
File:Civil Liberties Policy Logo on Ballotpedia.png|''[[Civil Liberties Policy|Civil liberties policy on Ballotpedia]]''
File:Presidential Elections-2016-badge.png|''[[Presidential election, 2016]]''
</gallery>
* [[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws]]
* [[Marijuana ballot measures]]
* [[Marijuana Policy Project]]
* [[Drug Policy Alliance]]
* [[History of marijuana on the ballot]]
 
=<small>Additional reading</small>=
{{MarijuanaProConExternallinks}}


=<small>Footnotes</small>=
==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Public policy concepts and issues]]
{{Types of ballot measures}}
{{Policy HNT}}
[[Category:History of ballot measures by topic]]
[[Category:One-off pages, active]]

Latest revision as of 00:30, 6 March 2026

History of marijuana ballot measures and law
Marijuana laws ballot measures
Drug crime policy ballot measures
Select a historical topic page from the menu below.

As of January 2026, 24 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of marijuana for recreational purposes, and 40 states and D.C. had legalized marijuana for medical purposes.[1][2][3]

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Nebraska became the 40th state to legalize medical marijuana after voters approved an initiative in 2024.
  • Three states (Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota) defeated marijuana legalization ballot measures on November 5, 2024.
  • Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana on November 7, 2023, when voters approved Issue 2.
  • Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed legislation on May 30, 2023.
  • Oklahoma voters rejected a marijuana legalization initiative on March 7, 2023.
  • Delaware became the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. John Carney (D) allowed House Bill 2 to become law without his signature on April 26, 2023.[4]
  • On Nov. 8, 2022, measures to legalize marijuana were on the ballot in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Voters in Maryland and Missouri approved the measures, and voters in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota rejected the measures.


    • See the sections below for further information on the following topics:

    1. Marijuana laws by state
    2. Noteworthy events since 2022
    3. Upcoming marijuana ballot measures
    4. Marijuana laws enacted by statewide ballot measures
    5. Campaign finance for ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana
    6. Comparison of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana
    7. Political context of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana
    8. Marijuana ballot measures since 1972


    Marijuana laws by state

    Recreational marijuana by state

    As of January 2026, 24 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of marijuana for recreational purposes.[5][6][7][8]

    • 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 January 2026, medical marijuana was legal in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Ten states (shaded grey in the map below) did not provide for a medical marijuana program.[1]

    • Of the 40 states, 19 states established medical marijuana through the ballot initiative process.
    • In 21 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.[9]
    • 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.[10]
    • 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.[11]
    • March 31, 2023: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed a medical marijuana bill, which was written to take effect on January 1, 2025.[12]
    • 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.[13]
    • 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.[14]
    • 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.[15]

    Upcoming and recent marijuana ballot measures

    See also: Marijuana laws ballot measures

    2024

    StateYearBallot MeasureTypeStatusYes VotesNo Votes
    Florida2024Florida Amendment 3Initiated constitutional amendmentDefeated 5,950,589 (56%)4,693,524 (44%)
    South Dakota2024South Dakota Initiated Measure 29Initiated state statuteDefeated 189,916 (44%)237,228 (56%)
    North Dakota2024North Dakota Initiated Measure 5Initiated state statuteDefeated 172,174 (47%)190,548 (53%)

    2023

    StateYearBallot MeasureTypeStatusYes VotesNo Votes
    Oklahoma2023Oklahoma State Question 820Initiated state statuteDefeated 217,078 (38%)349,284 (62%)
    Ohio2023Ohio Issue 2Indirect initiated state statuteApproved 2,226,399 (57%)1,666,316 (43%)

    2022

    StateYearBallot MeasureTypeStatusYes VotesNo Votes
    Maryland2022Maryland Question 4Legislatively referred constitutional amendmentApproved 1,302,161 (67%)635,572 (33%)
    Missouri2022Missouri Amendment 3Initiated constitutional amendmentApproved 1,092,432 (53%)965,020 (47%)
    South Dakota2022South Dakota Initiated Measure 27Initiated state statuteDefeated 163,584 (47%)183,879 (53%)
    Arkansas2022Arkansas Issue 4Initiated constitutional amendmentDefeated 392,938 (44%)505,128 (56%)
    North Dakota2022North Dakota Statutory Measure 2Initiated state statuteDefeated 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

    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.

    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 Defeatedd 33.47% 66.53% Initiative Recreational
    Georgia 1980 Amendment 9 Approveda 64.88% 35.12% Referral Other
    Oregon 1986 Ballot Measure 5 Defeatedd 26.33% 73.67% Initiative Recreational
    Alaska 1990 Measure 2 Approveda 54.29% 45.71% Initiative Other
    Arizona 1996 Proposition 200 Approveda 65.41% 34.59% Initiative Other
    Washington 1997 Initiative 685 Defeatedd 39.57% 60.43% Initiative Other
    Alaska 1998 Measure 8 Approveda 58.67% 41.33% Initiative Medical
    Arizona 1998 Proposition 301 Approveda 53.54% 46.46% Initiative Other
    Nevada 1998 Question 9 Approveda 58.65% 41.35% Initiative Medical
    Oregon 1998 Measure 67 Approveda 54.60% 45.40% Initiative Medical
    Washington 1998 Initiative 692 Approveda 58.97% 41.03% Initiative Medical
    Arizona 1998 Proposition 300 Defeatedd 36.12% 63.88% Initiative Medical
    Oregon 1998 Measure 57 Defeatedd 33.54% 66.46% Initiative Other
    Maine 1999 Question 2 Approveda 61.41% 38.59% Initiative Medical
    California 2000 Proposition 36 Approveda 60.86% 39.14% Initiative Other
    Colorado 2000 Initiative 20 Approveda 53.78% 46.22% Initiative Medical
    Nevada 2000 Question 9 Approveda 65.38% 34.62% Initiative Medical
    Alaska 2000 Measure 5 Defeatedd 40.88% 59.12% Initiative Other
    Arizona 2002 Proposition 203 Defeatedd 42.65% 57.35% Initiative Recreational
    Nevada 2002 Question 9 Defeatedd 39.13% 60.87% Initiative Other
    South Dakota 2002 Initiative 1 Defeatedd 37.97% 62.03% Initiative Other
    Montana 2004 I-148 Approveda 61.81% 38.19% Initiative Medical
    Alaska 2004 Measure 2 Defeatedd 44.25% 55.75% Initiative Recreational
    Oregon 2004 Measure 33 Defeatedd 42.78% 57.22% Initiative Medical
    Colorado 2006 Initiative 44 Defeatedd 41.08% 58.92% Initiative Other
    Nevada 2006 Question 7 Defeatedd 44.08% 55.92% Initiative Recreational
    South Dakota 2006 Initiative 4 Defeatedd 47.70% 52.30% Initiative Medical
    Massachusetts 2008 Question 2 Approveda 65.25% 34.75% Initiative Other
    Michigan 2008 Proposal 1 Approveda 62.66% 37.34% Initiative Medical
    California 2008 Proposition 5 Defeatedd 40.52% 59.48% Initiative Other
    Maine 2009 Question 5 Approveda 58.87% 41.13% Initiative Medical
    California 2010 Proposition 19 Defeatedd 46.54% 53.46% Initiative Recreational
    Arizona 2010 Proposition 203 Approveda 50.1% 49.9% Initiative Medical
    Oregon 2010 Measure 74 Defeatedd 44.21% 55.79% Initiative Medical
    Montana 2012 IR-124 Approveda 57.25% 42.75% Initiative Medical
    Washington 2012 Initiative 502 Approveda 55.7% 44.3% Initiative Recreational
    Massachusetts 2012 Question 3 Approveda 63.3% 36.7% Initiative Medical
    Oregon 2012 Measure 80 Defeatedd 46.58% 53.42% Initiative Recreational
    Arkansas 2012 Issue 5 Defeatedd 48.56% 51.44% Initiative Medical
    Colorado 2012 Amendment 64 Approveda 55.32% 44.68% Initiative Recreational
    Colorado 2013 Proposition AA Approveda 65.27% 34.73% Referral Other
    Alaska 2014 Ballot Measure 2 Approveda 53.23% 46.77% Initiative Recreational
    Florida 2014 Amendment 2 Defeatedd 57.62% 42.38% Initiative Medical
    Washington 2014 Advisory Vote No. 8 Approveda 54.41% 45.59% Referral Other
    Oregon 2014 Measure 91 Approveda 56.11% 43.89% Initiative Recreational
    Colorado 2015 Proposition BB Approveda 69.39% 30.61% Referral Other
    Washington 2015 Advisory Vote No. 11 Approveda 41.27% 58.73% Referral Medical
    Ohio 2015 Issue 3 Defeatedd 36.35% 63.65% Initiative Recreational
    Arkansas 2016 Issue 6 Approveda 53.11% 46.89% Initiative Medical
    California 2016 Proposition 64 Approveda 57.13% 42.87% Initiative Recreational
    Massachusetts 2016 Question 4 Approveda 53.66% 46.34% Initiative Recreational
    Montana 2016 I-182 Approveda 57.87% 42.13% Initiative Medical
    Nevada 2016 Question 2 Approveda 54.47% 45.53% Initiative Recreational
    North Dakota 2016 Initiated Measure 5 Approveda 63.79% 36.21% Initiative Medical
    Arizona 2016 Proposition 205 Defeatedd 48.68% 51.32% Initiative Recreational
    Maine 2016 Question 1 Approveda 50.26% 49.74% Initiative Recreational
    Florida 2016 Amendment 2 Approveda 71.32% 28.68% Initiative Medical
    Colorado 2018 Amendment X Approveda 60.64% 39.36% Referral Other
    Michigan 2018 Proposal 1 Approveda 55.89% 44.11% Initiative Recreational
    Missouri 2018 Amendment 2 Approveda 65.59% 34.41% Initiative Medical
    Oklahoma 2018 State Question 788 Approveda 56.86% 43.14% Initiative Medical
    Utah 2018 Proposition 2 Approveda 52.75% 47.25% Initiative Medical
    Missouri 2018 Amendment 3 Defeatedd 31.50% 68.50% Initiative Medical
    Missouri 2018 Proposition C Defeatedd 43.57% 56.43% Initiative Medical
    North Dakota 2018 Measure 3 Defeatedd 40.55% 59.45% Initiative Recreational
    Arizona 2020 Proposition 207 Approveda 60.03% 39.97% Initiative Recreational
    Mississippi 2020 Ballot Measure 1 Approveda/Overturnedot 68.52% 31.48% Initiative Medical
    Montana 2020 CI-118 Approveda 57.84% 42.16% Initiative Other
    Montana 2020 I-190 Approveda 56.90% 43.10% Initiative Recreational
    New Jersey 2020 Public Question 1 Approveda 67.08% 32.92% Referral Recreational
    South Dakota 2020 Initiated Measure 26 Approveda 69.92% 30.08% Initiative Medical
    South Dakota 2020 Amendment A Approveda/Overturnedot 54.18% 45.82% Initiative Recreational
    Arkansas 2022 Issue 4 Defeatedd 43.75% 56.25% Initiative Recreational
    Maryland 2022 Question 4 Approveda 67.20% 32.80% Referral Recreational
    Missouri 2022 Amendment 3 Approveda 53.10% 46.90% Initiative Recreational
    North Dakota 2022 Measure 2 Defeatedd 45.06% 54.94% Initiative Recreational
    South Dakota 2022 Measure 27 Defeatedd 47.08% 52.92% Initiative Recreational
    Oklahoma 2023 State Question 820 Defeatedd 38.33% 61.67% Initiative Recreational
    Ohio 2023 Issue 2 Approveda 57.19% 42.81% Initiative Recreational
    Nebraska 2024 Issue 2 Approveda 71.05% 28.95% Initiative Medical
    Florida 2024 Amendment 4 Defeatedd 55.90% 44.10 % Initiative Recreational
    North Dakota 2024 Initiated Measure 5 Defeatedd 47.47% 52.53% Initiative Recreational
    South Dakota 2024 Initiated Measure 29 Defeatedd 44.46% 55.54% Initiative Recreational

    See also

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Medical Cannabis Laws," accessed November 18, 2025
    2. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Cannabis Overview," accessed June 11, 2022
    3. ↑ 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
    4. ↑ MJ Biz Daily, "Delaware governor to let recreational cannabis legalization bills become law," accessed May 30, 2023
    5. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Medical Cannabis Laws," accessed January 6, 2026
    6. ↑ Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "MJ Laws Map," accessed June 15, 2022
    7. ↑ Marijuana Policy Project, "Map of state marijuana laws," accessed June 15, 2022
    8. ↑ 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
    9. ↑ NORML, "Delaware: Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Into Law," accessed May 31, 2024
    10. ↑ MJ Biz Daily, "Minnesota governor signs adult-use marijuana legalization bill into law," accessed May 30, 2023
    11. ↑ MJ Biz Daily, "Delaware governor to let recreational cannabis legalization bills become law," accessed May 30, 2023
    12. ↑ Kentucky Governor, "Gov. Beshear Signs Historic Legislation Legalizing Medical Cannabis," March 31, 2023
    13. ↑ NORML, "Rhode Island Becomes 19th State to Legalize Marijuana for Adults," accessed June 16, 2022
    14. ↑ U.S. News, "Delaware Gov. John Carney Vetoes Marijuana Legalization Bill," accessed June 16, 2022
    15. ↑ Mississippi State Legislature, "Senate Bill 2095," accessed June 16, 2022
    16. ↑ Prior three elections before and/or including the election at which measure was voted on
    Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=History_of_marijuana_ballot_measures_and_laws&oldid=11093158"